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 … Read more

Inspiring Amahl: What Gifts Do You Bring?

ART FUELS INSPIRATION In 1951, Italian composer and librettist Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007) was commissioned by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) to write the first opera for television. Up to this point in time, Menotti’s operatic output included Amelia Goes to the Ball (1937), a radio opera entitled The Old Maid and the Thief (1939), The Medium (1946), The Telephone (1947), and The Consul (1950). With Christmas … Read more

Plaza, KC v. Seville, Spain

This coming fall, we are opening our 2022-2023 season with one of the most well-known operas of all time – Carmen. This story takes place in Seville, Spain, where the audience is taken on a rollercoaster of emotions as Carmen fights for love…and survival. What you may not know about this classic tale is that we … Read more