Long Beach Opera to Present THE PAPER NAUTILUS, 9/7-9

On September 7, 8 and 9, 2012, Long Beach Opera (LBO) will take audiences on a magical voyage beneath the sea with multimedia performances of English composer Gavin Bryars' THE PAPER NAUTILUS at the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California. Written for six percussionists, two pianos and two singers, Bryars' exotic score will be performed in front of the Aquarium's three-story 142,000 gallon tank of vibrant sea life and coral, the perfect setting for merging the wonders of the ocean with human artistic creativity.

To celebrate the mysteries of the sea, Bryars blends science and verse by drawing from the writings of Lebanese-American poet/artist Etel Adnan, Scottish poet Jackie Kay, French scientist Marie Curie, Pope Leo XIII and the Bible.

The Paper Nautilus marks the launch of "Outer Limits," LBO's new chamber series highlighting musical outliers. The series is supported by a three-year, $300,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and will comprise at least one production a year from 2012-2015 and two productions annually beginning in 2016. Says Mitisek, "At LBO, we love exploring works that defy classification and are thrilled that The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has given us this opportunity to expand the boundaries of the unexpected."

Nautilus will feature soprano Ashley Knight; mezzo-soprano Peabody Southwell; dancers from the Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre; video projections by Adam Fleming; lighting by Dan Weingarten; and the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet.

Performances of THE PAPER NAUTILUS will begin at 8:00PM with a free lecture by LBO Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek at 7:00 PM. Prices range from $39-$110 and tickets can be purchased by calling 562-432-5934 or online at www.longbeachopera.org/tickets.