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
Dr. Jane Sylvester, Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and noted opera scholar, joined Opera Dives Deep on Monday, September 18, 2023 to prepare audiences for Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. Her presentation, entitled Verismo’s Creative Deceptions: The Fictions of the Italian South in Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci, explored how—and why—practitioners of … Read more
The above words are sung by Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana. In this scene, Turiddu invites everyone for a drink at his mother’s tavern after Easter church service. Listen to Italian tenor Mario Del Monaco as Turiddu leading the toast! These same words—in a slightly more accessible English translation—also served as the opening toast at our … Read more
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. The show … Read more
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 about the genesis of this work? How did … Read more
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
by Beth Wamsley Arguably one of the most famous operas of all time, Carmen has been no stranger to pop culture since its creation in 1875. The musical themes of Carmen have been buzzing in our ears for years in a host of different mediums. You’ve probably heard the “Habanera” before, like when the Swedish Chef and Beaker sang it … Read more
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
Lyric Opera Goes to Hollywood is a concert celebration of opera’s greatest moments in the movies. From the Golden Age of Hollywood through present-day the program brings together touching and funny moments from movies that feature beautiful arias, exciting overtures, and hilarious opera-infused moments. Learn more about the movies and the works featured in Lyric Opera Goes … Read more
In celebration of Black History Month, we asked Vinson Cole, renowned tenor and Creative Consultant and Director of Resident Artists, to share some of his favorite opera singers. Leontyne Price “One of the greatest singers of all time. She was the pinnacle of her repertoire. I was listening to an Aida on the Met station that she … Read more
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