Labor Day is a natural turning point. We look back at the summer, hopefully one filled with friends, family, BBQs, and lazy days by the pool. đ Labor Day also means itâs time to pack up your white pants, seersucker suits, and straw hats and trade them out for wools, plaids, and flannel. Of course, these antiquated rules donât take into account just how warm September can still be in Kansas City. âď¸
Beyond the silly apparel rules, Labor Day is when the calendar turns, and we focus on all the incredible opera ahead over the course of the 2026â2027 season. Thatâs right: we are back, and the season opens in just eleven days with Pucciniâs timeless La bohème. đŻď¸
Read more below to get your ears ready for La bohème with a curated listening guide and to learn about the important work weâre doing in local schools. đ§đ
We hope to see you at La bohèmeâand donât worry, we wonât admonish you if you show up in white!
La bohème (2019) at Lyric Opera / Photo Š Don Ipock
From the lighthearted beginning to the heartbreaking end, the music of La bohème has provided some of the most beloved moments in opera history. If you’re wanting to get a better idea of the music in context without having to listen to the entire opera, check out our La bohème Listening Guide for the highlights! Whether itâs your first time seeing La bohème or if youâre just needing a bit of a refresher, you’ll be prepared with of the scenes and sounds of the opera before it opens later this month. And don’t miss your chance to hear the music live, September 19, 25, and 27 at the Kauffman Center! đŻď¸Check out the listening guide.
School Performance of The Haberdasher Prince / Photo Š Andrew Schwartz
Calling all educators! đ˘ Bring the power of live opera to your classroom. Check out these exciting opportunities for students this fall:
- Student Dress Rehearsals: Bring your students to the final dress rehearsals of La bohème on September 17, 2026, or The Marriage of Figaro on November 5, 2026! To enhance learning, participating teachers receive curricular resources and the option to schedule pre-teaching at your school. đź Learn more.
- Mozartâs Mic Drop: Bring the worldâs original pop star directly to your school this October! This high-energy, interactive program peels back the powdered wig to reveal a freelance rebel whose revolutionary music and social struggles deeply resonate with todayâs students. đ¤ Learn more.
La bohème / Photo Š Karli Cadel
Lyric Opera of Kansas City is seeking a dog to join the cast of La bohème to play the role of Musettaâs Dog! đŠ Auditioning dogs should be trained (reliable sit, stay, and down commands) and must be able to remain calm through a loud opera scene. Dogs should be a poodle breed or should bear a strong resemblance to a French poodle. Audition applications are due on Friday, August 14! đž
KCPS Students and Lyric Opera Teaching Artists
For the third consecutive year, Lyric Opera of Kansas City is proud to partner with Kansas City Public Schools to bring direct fine arts instruction into classrooms. During the 2026â2027 academic year, our dedicated teaching artists will work directly with an estimated 360 students across choir and theater courses. These enriching classes foster creative expression and connect students with the broader community through hands-on artistic experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting. This year, we are thrilled to collaborate with Central High School, Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy High School, and Lincoln College Preparatory Academy Middle School. đ
Classes officially kicked off on August 24, and our team is ready for an exceptional year ahead! Under the direction of Emily Bridges, manager of school programs, this initiative is made possible by three outstanding teaching artists: Dr. Nicholas Perry Clark, Dominique Waller, and Erica Bigham-Weiss. We look forward to sharing more updates and success stories as our students realize the potential of opera throughout the school year. â¨
Resident Artist Performance at Lyric Opera Angel Event / Photo Š Andrew Schwartz
We are thrilled to welcome all of our first-year Angels to this memorable season! Angels enjoy incredible insider benefits, including access to the Angel Suite at Kauffman Center performances, invitations to exclusive events, and more. Not an Angel yet? Itâs never too late to join! Learn more and make your Angel gift online today.
Meet the Artists / Photo Š Andrew Schwartz
There are several opportunities to connect with La bohème before the curtain rises! Learn about the source material, hear the songs, meet the artists, and experience Parisian culture at our upcoming community events:
Opera Book Club: La bohème
đ September 8 at 7:00 pm: Discover the pages that inspired the stage as we explore Scenes from the Life of Bohemia, the literary spark behind La bohème! đ Connect with fellow book and opera enthusiasts at Rainy Day Books for an engaging discussion about this classic bohemian world. đ
Opera Dives Deep: La bohème
đ September 14 at 6:00 pm: Learn more about La bohèmeâits synopsis, historical background, and musical highlights. â
Opera Dives Deep: Meet the Artists of La bohème
đ September 21 at 6:00 pm: Meet the artists of La bohème! Learn more about their careers, their experiences with Lyric Operaâs production, and the stories behind their performances. đ
Community Conversation: To Dinner!
đ September 23 at 6:30 pm: Join Lyric Opera and Le Fou Frog for an evening of culture and cuisine! đś Indulge in live excerpts from La bohème perfectly paired with a four-course meal inspired by the golden age of French gastronomy.đˇ
Lyric Happy Hour
đ September 27 at 4:30 pm: Celebrate La bohème following the final performance with Lyric Happy Hour, hosted by Lyric Opera and Kanbe’s Markets at Mineral Lounge! đ¸
Join Our E-Club
Members of the Lyric Opera E-Club are the first to know about special events, news, and opportunities for Lyric Opera!
Sponsors
The 2026â2027 season is sponsored by the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts; the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation; the Lyric Opera of Kansas City Foundation; and R.C. Kemper Charitable Trust and Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee; with public support from Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. La bohème is supported, in part, by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund and the Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Enrichment Fund. The Resident Artists Program is sponsored by the Estate of Richard Hill, Charter Sponsor of the Resident Artists Program, and the Polsky Fund of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City Foundation. Community performances by resident artists are sponsored by the Dr. Mary E. Brothers Resident Artist Performance Fund. Lyric Opera resident artist tenor David Pelino is sponsored by Connie K. Walker for the 2026-2027 season.
