Archives: Events

Opera Dives Deep: Between Fantasy and Reality Dr. Kunio Hara, speaker In fashioning Madame Butterfly, librettists Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa consulted several literary stories written by Westerners with connections to Japan. Composer Giacomo Puccini gathered examples of Japanese music, which he used liberally in the opera’s score. While the opera draws heavily on Western tropes … Read more

Opera Dives Deep: Tragically Timeless One of the most popular and widely-performed operas, Madame Butterfly, is a tragic story of unrequited love, betrayal and sacrifice. A time capsule of early twentieth-century cultural perspectives, this piece continues to reach modern audiences with its poignant score and heart wrenching plot. Join us to rediscover the vivid arias, … Read more

Community Conversation: Everything Changes What makes a Cinderella story? Join folk and fairy tale expert Naphtali Faris at the Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building to explore how Cinderella stories have evolved over time, deepening your connection to Lyric Opera’s upcoming production of Rossini’s Cinderella. This event will explore the tale’s enduring appeal across … Read more

Opera Dives Deep: Meet the Designers of Cinderella Meet the designers behind our brand-new, Wes Anderson-inspired production of Cinderella in a conversation moderated by Lyric Opera’s Tracy Davis-Singh, Director of Production. Learn about the process of bringing a new production to life—from inspiration to collaboration to production. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions … Read more

Community Conversation: Eyes Full of Magic Join Lyric Opera of Kansas City and The Museum of Kansas City for an immersive gathering exploring Japanese American relations, past, present, and future. Deepen your connection to the upcoming production of Madame Butterfly by meeting Miss Shizuoka—a cherished friendship doll gifted from Japan to Kansas City—and viewing an … Read more

Opera Dives Deep: Something Old, Something New After countless rejections, librettist Jacopo Ferretti finally found a winner when he pitched an adaptation of La Cenerentola (Cinderella) to rising composer Gioachino Rossini. What followed was a whirlwind—forty-six days of feverish collaboration, borrowed arias, and bold departures from the familiar fairy tale script. Gone were the glass … Read more

Opera Day at the K Join us on September 21 for Opera Day at the K, where we’ll cheer on the Kansas City Royals as they take on the Toronto Blue Jays. Come cheer on the 2025–2026 Resident Artists as they sing the National Anthem, and stay to cheer on our Kansas City Royals! The … Read more

Come As You Are Join No Divide KC and Lyric Opera of Kansas City for Come As You Are, a free event designed for children and families. Our fourth annual extravaganza features the world premiere of three micro-operas, activities for all ages, and joyful community-building. Don’t miss this artistic afternoon! Sunday, May 18, 2025 | … Read more

Cinderella A magical opera with jaw-dropping singing, considered a crown jewel of bel canto opera, Rossini’s glittery version of the fairytale classic lets our heroine drive her own fate—no fairy godmother needed. It’s not just beauty that wins the prince’s heart (though she does get a stunning gown); instead, love and kindness triumph over greed and … Read more

Madame Butterfly Through a heartless marriage of convenience, American naval officer Lieutenant Pinkerton ensnares young Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly), leading her to a tragic and profoundly unjust fate. A masterpiece of Italian opera, Madame Butterfly’s lush score and timeless exploration of love, betrayal, and cultural clash soars with operatic grandeur. The enduring power of Butterfly lies in its … Read more