‘Maria de Buenos Aires’

Peabody Southwell, as the title character, is swept away during the dress rehearsal. The Long Beach Opera resets the tale in 1976-83 during Argentina’s “Dirty War.” (Lawrence K. Ho /Los Angeles Times)

March 22, 2014 11:04 AM PT

Long Beach Opera’s stunning production of Astor Piazzolla and Horacio Ferrer’s “Maria de Buenos Aires,” at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro

Peabody Southwell as Maria and Mark Bringelson as her torturer. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Peabody Southwell (Maria) and Gregorio Gonzalez (younger Payador). (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Peabody Southwell (Maria and Gregorio Gonzalez (younger Payador). (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Gregorio Gonzalez (younger Payador), left, and Gregorio Luke (elder Payador). (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Gregorio Gonzalez (younger Payador), left, and Gregorio Luke (elder Payador) with a video projection of Peabody Southwell (Maria). (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)