Lyric Opera of Kansas City by Neal Long, Director of Learning On Monday, April 29, 2024, I attended an Opera Dives Deep presentation by Dr. Ron Witzke entitled “Monuments of Tone and Stone.” Dr. Witzke—a bass-baritone, professor, and librettist—is a close friend of Lyric Opera of Kansas City and regularly appears on stage in productions at the Kauffman Center for … Read more
ATTENTION: This post contains minor spoilers. In the enchanting tale of The Haberdasher Prince, friendship emerges as a guiding force, leading our principal characters–the Village Girl, King Hamluk, the Queen, and Prince Panderbash–on a journey to connection and companionship. Here is what The Haberdasher Prince can teach us about being a true friend. Trust Surrounded … Read more
Sidonie Garrett, Executive Artistic Director of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, joined Opera Dives Deep on Monday, March 4, 2024, to engage audiences with topics around Roméo et Juliette. Her presentation, Romeo and Juliet from Page to Stage, went behind the scenes to explore how Shakespeare’s classic story gets told on the big stage. … Read more
Dr. Felicia Londré, Curators’ Distinguished Professor Emerita of Theatre History at University of Missouri-Kansas City, joined Opera Dives Deep on Monday, February 26, 2024, to engage audiences with topics around Roméo et Juliette. Her presentation, Taming the Barbarian, explored the history of Shakespeare’s acceptance (or lack thereof) in France with particular attention to Romeo and … Read more
It’s finally here: the next production of the 2023-2024 season, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette! 🥳 This opera has it all: sword fights, large dance numbers, enormous choral numbers, spellbinding soprano arias, and moving duets all wrapped in a tremendous score that defines French grand opera. Don’t miss the return of Kansas City’s own Ben Bliss … Read more
February is here, and we hope you fared well during the deep freeze 🥶 of January 2024! It may still be winter but Lyric Opera stages will soon be heating up! 🔥 We are just weeks away from opening Roméo et Juliette, 🎊 starring Kansas City’s own Ben Bliss as Roméo, and Andriana Chuchman, making … Read more
Happy New Year from Lyric Opera of Kansas City! 🎊 We start 2024 with numerous opportunities to engage with opera and our community. Highlights include a silent dinner 🍝 from our friends at Orpheus KC, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, 🌟 and our beloved opera written for young people, Sketchbook for Ollie, 📘 goes back on … Read more
Dr. Paul Laird, Professor of Musicology at The University of Kansas and celebrated author, joined Opera Dives Deep on Monday, October 30, 2023, to engage audiences with topics around The Sound of Music. His presentation, entitled Rodgers and Hammerstein and The Sound of Music, provided an overview of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s collaboration and placed The … Read more
As we say so long, farewell to spooky season and transition into a time for gratitude, the days grow shorter and the sun sets earlier. The air becomes crisper, and it’s the perfect season for breaking out our coziest sweaters and sipping on warm drinks. Just like Maria in The Sound of Music, let’s take … Read more
George Harter, founder of Kansas City’s own Music Theater Heritage joined Opera Dives Deep on Monday, October 16, 2023 to prepare audiences for The Sound of Music. His presentation, entitled Evolution of a Classical American Musical, explored the role of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II on the transformation of American musical theater from vaudeville sketches … Read more
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