El Relicario de Los Animales (1979) unfolds through a series of evocations, each channeling a different animal with sonic textures and musical motifs. As one of Oliveros’ scores with specific instructions for instrumentation, it incorporates a broad ensemble ranging from violin and percussion to unconventional surprises–including her signature conch shell. The result is an immersive, layered soundscape that explores the complex relationship between humans, nature, and animals–ultimately aiming to promote healing and harmony with the natural world.

This production will feature an ensemble of over twenty performers on stage. The improvisational spirit of the piece means the the two presentations will be entirely unique, with each offering new and exciting discoveries for its audiences.

LBO Artistic Director & Chief Creative Officer James Darrah directs, joined by LBO Music Director Christopher Rountree and emerging young director and producer Anderson Nunnelley, making his company debut as Co-Director & Associate Producer.

Jamie Barton, the once in a generation mezzo-soprano superstar hailed as “a leader of a new generation of opera stars" (NYTimes), makes her LBO debut in the role of singer and leader in the piece. Barton, an outspoken advocate for queer rights and inclusion in the arts, made international headlines in 2019 when she waved the Pride flag while performing in Britain’s biggest classical music event, the Last Night of the Proms.

World-renowned soprano, Brenda Rae, former resident artist at the Frankfurt Opera, also makes her LBO debut as a singer/percussionist in the production. Rae recently collaborated with Darrah this past fall in Boston Lyric Opera’s ‘Mitridate’, where she “collected several well-deserved bravas for every acrobatic aria as Aspasia” (Boston Globe). 

Two UCLA alumni, trained in part by Darrah, continue their collaboration for the full season with El Relicario De Los Animales: Prairie T. Trivuth as production designer and Kaitlin Trimble as lighting designer. Emmy® Award-winning and celebrated veteran designer Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko crafts the original costume design.

The production also features an original installation by LA based floral artist Juan Renteria, known as El Creativo, who debuted with LBO  actor, singer and visual designer in last season’s Oliveros’ Bye Bye Butterfly.