CRASH OUT
QUEENS:
A TIFFANY TOWNSEND RECITAL
JANUARY 31 @ 7:30 PM
FEBRUARY 1 @ 4 PM
ALTAR SOCIETY
LONG BEACH, CA
Soprano Tiffany Townsend officially kicks off our season with a bold recital developed in close collaboration with LBO. Conceived as both a recital and a dramatic exploration, the program traces a journey through opera’s most iconic moments of reckoning–examining the inner lives of women pushed to their psychological and emotional limits. Through scenes that bring to life some of the operatic repertoire’s most powerful female figures, Townsend brings these arias into the present with an empathetic, reimagined lens. Featuring scenic, dance, and instrumental collaborators, this performance invites audiences to experience the full scope of her evolving artistry and creative imagination.
TICKETS
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ABOUT THE SHOW
Tiffany Townsend first captivated LBO audiences as Idleness in the world premiere of Kate Soper’s The Romance of the Rose (2023), returning the following spring to perform a selection of songs at LBO’s On Display event.
Praised for her “powerhouse soprano and expressive presence” (The Wall Street Journal), Townsend has since emerged as one of the most compelling young artists of her generation, with notable performances at LA Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and major symphony orchestras across the country.
This new recital builds on her evolving relationship with LBO, giving Townsend space to shape a program that reflects her creative imagination and artistic point of view.
At the heart of the recital is a vivid exploration of women in opera who confront moments of reckoning. The program spans a wide emotional and musical range—from Puccini’s Suor Angelica to Menotti’s gripping aria from The Consul. Through Townsend’s interpretation, these iconic characters reveal new layers of complexity, inner conflict, and humanity.
The recital expands into a multidisciplinary collaboration, featuring pianist Lucy Yates and scenic design by Prairie T. Trivuth, with additional dance and instrumental partners to be announced.
Opening night will culminate in a festive season-launch party welcoming artists, audiences, and supporters into LBO’s 2025–26 season, with a post-show reception also following the second evening’s performance.
THE VENUE
ALTAR SOCIETY
230 PINE AVE
LONG BEACH, CA 90802
Altar Society is a craft brewpub, coffee roaster, and events space occupying the former Masonic Temple in Downtown Long Beach, California.
Built in 1903, the Temple is one of the oldest remaining structures in the downtown district, and a rare surviving work of architect Henry F. Starbuck. Its restored architectural details—original wood floors, preserved brick walls, and soaring arched ceilings—reflect over a century of history. The building has undergone careful adaptation over the decades, evolving from a civic landmark into a distinctive, character-rich setting for contemporary events and performances.
