Pacific Opera Project (POP), known for “making opera cool, affordable, accessible, and enticing" (LA Weekly), presents the west coast premiere of I Can’t Breathe, a new opera by Leslie Burrs with libretto by Brandon J. Gibson.

The opera was inspired by and written in the wake of repeated instances of fatal police brutality perpetrated against African Americans and tells the stories of six individuals from different walks of life as a series of six separate monodramas to tell each character's story. The opera premiered at Marble City Opera in February 2022 and the commissioning consortium also includes Cleveland Opera Theater and Opera Columbus.

Artistic Director Josh Shaw explains, "POP is of course known for our comedies and our emphasis on entertainment, but producing new and meaningful opera is also part of what we do, and something we can do well. When I was approached with this project, it seemed far too relevant and too important to postpone to a future season. We attempt to reach all of LA with POP’s brand of approachable opera, and that includes new works like these that are vital to the broadening and continuation of the art form."

If you had tickets to Cosi Fan Tutte in 2020, please contact the Pacific Opera Project to obtain your tickets to this event.