Becoming a Redwood
The Songs of Lori Laitman and Dana Gioia
4:00PM, Sunday, March 23, 2025

Join us for an afternoon concert featuring the extraordinary partnership of composer Lori Laitman and poet Dana Gioia. Recognized as “one of the most talented and intriguing of living composers” (Fanfare Magazine), Laitman’s music is renowned for its uniqueness, craft, and beauty. Featuring the texts of internationally-acclaimed poet Dana Gioia—former California Poet Laureate and Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts—this recital highlights their remarkable artistic collaboration, including a world premiere song written for the occasion. Performed by our Resident Artists, this free recital showcases the emotional depth and artistry that have made Laitman and Gioia celebrated collaborators. The program will conclude with an engaging conversation and an audience Q&A with Lori Laitman and Dana Gioia.

This concert celebrates the ongoing collaboration of Lori Laitman and Dana Gioia, creators of Maya and the Magic Ring, Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s newly commissioned family opera.

Featuring

Lori Laitman

Composer

Bio

Dana Gioia

Poet

Bio

Bethany Jelinek

Soprano

Bio

Virginia Reed

Mezzo-Soprano

Bio

Jaemyeong Lee

Tenor

Bio

Alex Smith

Baritone

Bio

Matteo Generani

Piano

Bio

Piotr Wiśniewski

Piano

Bio