Crash Out Queens: A Tiffany Townsend Recital

Soprano Tiffany Townsend officially kicks off the Long Beach Opera 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.

Performances will be offered on January 31 at 7:30 PM and on February 1 at 4 PM.

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.