LONG BEACH OPERA PRESENTS
ACQUAPROFONDA
A DEEP-SEA OPERA FOR FAMILIES
AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC’S
JULY 12 @ 12 PM & 3 PM
JULY 13 @ 12 PM & 3 PM
HONDA PACIFIC VISIONS THEATER
LONG BEACH, CA
FREE WITH RSVP
Music by Giovanni Sollima
Libretto by Giancarlo de Cataldo
English Libretto by Ellen Moody
ABOUT THE SHOW
Long Beach Opera’s Education team presents Acquaprofonda in collaboration with the Aquarium of the Pacific — a FREE, family-friendly, half-hour opera adventure about courage, kindness, and protecting our planet.
Italian for “deep water,” Acquaprofonda follows Serena, a fearless girl who lives by the sea, as she discovers a mysterious whale sick from plastic pollution. With the help of a wise sailor, she inspires her father to stand up against the factory harming the ocean — and learns that one small voice can make big waves.
This work was created under the Italian platform Opera Education after being commissioned by the Teatro Sociale di Como in co-production with the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. After its positive reception, the show won the Filippo Sienbaneck award, a prize given to significant initiatives in the field of music education and/or the professional training of young people.
LBO’s newly translated production marks its American debut and will be performed in English, with supertitles.
Activity sessions will be held thirty minutes before and after each show, including art-making, photo opportunities, a Q&A with the singers & more!
RSVP FOR FREE
*Reservations include entry to the theater only. Aquarium general admission can be purchased separately.
synopsis
On an island in the middle of the ocean, lies a humble house, a sandy beach, and an imposing factory. Serena, a curious and fearless girl who loves the sea, lives in the house with her father. Her mother disappeared at sea years ago and was never found. Serena’s father, known as The Guardian, works as a security guard at the factory, which is owned by Mister Buu—a selfish man who only cares about making money, no matter the cost.
One day, something strange appears on the beach: a giant, mysterious creature. Its arrival changes everything. With the help of a wise Old Sailor, Serena learns that the creature is a whale, sick from swallowing the plastic waste dumped by the factory.
Determined to help, Serena teams up with the Old Sailor to show her father the damage being done to the whale. Moved by her courage, The Guardian finally decides to stand up to Mister Buu and protect the sea. In the end, the whale gives Serena a gift—something truly special—as a thank-you for her bravery and kindness.
CAST & CREW
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Conductor
Oliver Chan
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Serena (Saturday Cast)
Ellen Moody
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Serena (Sunday Cast)
Chelsea Chaves
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The Guardian (Saturday Cast)
Rohan Ramanan
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The Guardian (Sunday Cast)
Todd Strange
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Mister Buu
Abdiel Gonzalez
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The Old Sailor
Scott Ziemann
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Whale / Mother (Saturday Cast)
Amanda Leader
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Whale / Mother (Sunday Cast)
Emily Border
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Piano
Jason Griffin
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Percussion
Jakob Boers
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Violin
Yang Bartolotti
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Cello
Connor Bogenreif
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Stage Director
Yekaterina Lynch
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Stage Director
Madeline Weissenberg
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Sound Engineer
Andrew Border
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Supertitles Operator
Max Mineer
ABOUT THE VENUE
The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place dedicated to connecting people to and conserving nature. The Aquarium’s vision is to foster an inclusive community that works together to create our sustainable future. Home to more than 12,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include Our Living Coastline, the Southern California Gallery, Pacific Visions, and Shark Lagoon. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, including First Wednesdays featuring a variety of guest speakers. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for twelve months and other special benefits.
To make a donation to help support the Aquarium, please visit the donation webpage. To visit, reservations are required for everyone and can be made at aquariumofpacific.org or by calling (562) 590-3100.
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way,
Long Beach, CA 90802
