Long Beach Opera is a nonprofit opera company based in Long Beach, with offices at 115 Pine Ave., Suite 550. It was founded in 1979 and describes itself as the oldest operatic producing company in the Los Angeles and Orange County region.
Its posted mission is “Engaging people through provocative meaningful experiences that challenge, connect and inspire.” The company says it has a repertory of more than 90 operas and is known for world, American and West Coast premieres of new and rare works.
Recent productions
In its fiscal 2023 filing, the company reported four programs. They were the world premiere of Kate Soper’s The Romance of the Rose at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, Chris Emile’s The Horse at Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach, The Feast at Isamu Noguchi’s California Scenario and the Samueli Theatre in Costa Mesa, and a Schubert recital held with its annual film festival.
The filing lists attendance for those events between 215 and 1,176 people each. The company stages work in site-specific locations as well as theatres, so the venue differs by production.
Education
Opera Encounter is the company’s education initiative. According to its filing, it includes opera performances in schools and discounted tickets to dress rehearsals for students and low-income families. The program generally serves several schools and as many as 1,500 students a year.
What the numbers show
IRS-based data compiled by Cause IQ shows total revenue of $1,753,430 and total expenses of $1,693,259 for the fiscal year ending June 2023. Most of that revenue came from grants and contributions.
Ways to support
The company sells tickets and accepts donations through its website, which also lists current productions. The company notes funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the County of Los Angeles and the City of Long Beach.
Official site: https://www.longbeachopera.org/
Verified 501(c)(3): Long Beach Opera, EIN 95-3387074, ruling year 1979. This information comes from GuideStar and Charity Navigator as of September 2026.
Related: Long Beach Museum of Art is another Long Beach arts nonprofit.
This profile is part of The 824 Journal’s Nonprofit Spotlight series. See more in the Nonprofit Spotlight archive.
Sources
- GuideStar: Long Beach Opera
- Charity Navigator: Long Beach Opera
- Cause IQ: Long Beach Opera
- Idealist: Long Beach Opera
