Carol Richards

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the death of Broadway producer Ira Bernstein, who passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 21, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 94 years old.

​​​​​​​Long Beach Opera announces that it has received the largest single gift in the company's history of $1.25 million from long-time Board member Carol Richards. Richards served on LBO's Board from the company's inception in 1979 until her passing in 2021, at which time she included Long Beach Opera in her estate plans with this historic gift, which recently came to fruition.

Long Beach Opera announces a generous gift of $1.25 million from Carol Richards. Major donations and grants are also announced, and single tickets are now on sale.

The three musicians teamed up to write and record the new original “Fireside” as well as their own take on the perennial Jay Livingston/Ray Evans classic “Silver Bells”, first popularized in recorded form by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards.

Surpassing its fundraising goal, Long Beach Opera's 37th Annual Gala raised over $210,000 to support its 2016 opera season and Youth Initiative Programs. Honorary Co-Chairs Barbara Bixby Blackwell and Jean Bixby Smith, along with LBO's Board of Directors, presented the fundraiser, 'Glittering Glamorous Giving,' on Saturday November 7, 2015 in the Lagunita Pavilion at the Hotel Maya, Long Beach.