Advisory: “The Gun Song” in Context
Assassins (1990) is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, based on an original concept by Charles Gilbert, Jr. Assassins portrays a group of historical figures from varying periods who either assassinated or attempted to assassinate Presidents of the United States. The show explores what their presence in […]
Opera and Musical Theater: Are They Really so Different?

Opera and musical theater are both globally popular and culturally cherished art forms with the same goal: to tell a story through music. What makes opera, opera? What makes musical theater, musical theater? What elements and practices determine the difference between the two? This highly contested debate in the artistic community becomes more difficult as […]
Sondheim on Sondheim: Guided Listening

Sondheim on Sondheim is a musical revue consisting of music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim. In all, the show features 24 songs from 18 shows showcasing Sondheim’s career over a period of more than 60 years. Sondheim on Sondheim had a limited run on Broadway in 2010 and was nominated for five Tony Awards. […]
April Newsletter, 2023
Welcome to April! 🌼 Can you believe the end of the 2022–2023 season is near? But don’t worry; there are still two more opportunities to open your world. 🌎 First, we have Listen, Wilhelmina!, our fun and engaging family opera for young people and the young at heart. At a mere twenty-five minutes, this show […]
Opera Dives Deep: And So It Begins
Prior to arriving in Kansas City for Lyric Opera’s production of The Shining, composer Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell joined Opera Dives Deep via Zoom to discuss their careers, inspiration, and secrets behind the making of the opera! “I knew this piece had legs right away.” -Mark Campbell Q: What can you tell us […]
March Newsletter, 2023
Spring is approaching, and with it, the major opera event of the season: The Shining! 😱 In addition, we have some fabulous engagement opportunities to enrich your experience at the show, including a special Community Conversations event at the Apple Store on the Country Club Plaza! 💬 After The Shining we move on to Listen, […]
February Newsletter, 2023
February kicks off with Orpheus Affair in the Lyric’s production arts building in the Crossroads. Tickets are just $75 and include drinks, food, and impactful art installations. 🎨 And most importantly, proceeds go towards the support of Lyric Opera of Kansas City programs. February also holds learning opportunities to get you prepped for The Shining, which makes its Kansas […]
January Newsletter, 2023
The new year brings exciting and engaging opportunities to connect with Lyric Opera 🎵 with exciting art installations at Orpheus Affair, 🎭 a spooky trip to the Overlook Hotel, 👻 the annual Lyric Opera Ball, a zany children’s opera about all the ways to listen, and a reflection of Stephen Sondheim’s work. VIEW CALENDAR First, we start […]
November Newsletter, 2022
Now that we are beyond Halloween 🎃, fall is in full swing as we rush toward the end of 2022. There are many opportunities to enjoy opera 🎶, from its grandest and most heartbreaking in La traviata to its touching and sweet in Amahl and the Night Visitors 🐪. Community Conversations continue with an engaging opportunity to connect […]