From Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
“When the Kauffman Center opened in 2011, it was met with great fanfare and excitement, marking a significant cultural milestone for Kansas City. Alongside this grand unveiling, Kauffman Center also introduced the region's first seat-back libretto translation system, colloquially known as Figaro. While venues like The Metropolitan Opera and Santa Fe Opera had already employed similar systems, this was a noteworthy advancement for Kansas City's cultural scene.
Figaro served admirably for a decade, enhancing the experience of countless opera performances. However, challenges emerged during the 2021-2022 season, the first season following the global pandemic. Issues arose with the operating system and hardware that powered the Figaro system, and unfortunately, the company responsible for creating and installing these crucial components had gone out of business.
It merits noting that the Kauffman Center is ultimately responsible for the venue, while Lyric Opera is responsible for the artistic content presented on stage. We will continue to work together to find a more sustainable solution.
In response to these challenges, we engaged various consultants to investigate the underlying issues and invested more than $100,000 in the pursuit of a solution. Regrettably, the computers running the system had become obsolete, and the unavailability of replacement parts for other malfunctioning components further compounded the problem due to the company's closure.
In the interim, in collaboration with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, we have taken measures to ensure that audiences can still enjoy and understand the outstanding performances on our stage. We've installed a screen above the stage to provide translation and context, allowing patrons to enhance their experience. The overwhelming majority of venues worldwide utilize this approach (i.e., a screen above the stage).
Our research for a replacement product places special attention on reliability, serviceability, and vendor/product sustainability, which will ensure we are not in this same position in another 5-10 years. Unsurprisingly, an overnight solution is impossible for a multi-million-dollar investment in technology requiring the installation of more than 1,800 seatback computer screens. In fact, at this point in time, the Kauffman Center has not been able to find an established and tested replacement product in North America. Sadly, this is a problem that numerous other peer venues across the country are also facing. Please rest assured that we are actively seeking a long-term solution to this challenge and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause.
It merits noting that the Kauffman Center is ultimately responsible for the venue, while Lyric Opera is responsible for the artistic content presented on stage. We will continue to work together to find a more sustainable solution.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.”
