December is upon us, and with it comes the close of 2025. ☃️ Last month, we presented three gorgeous performances of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. 🦋 Read below to see what the critics thought, and explore our show gallery page, replete with photos, videos, reviews, and more. 📸 You can also learn about the incredible work our learning team is doing in local schools. 📖 And if you’re still finalizing your year-end giving plans, please consider supporting Lyric Opera and helping us continue outstanding programs and outreach, such as those presented by our Learning department throughout the metro.📆
After the holidays, we kick off America’s 250th birthday with two American stories: The Gershwins’® Porgy and Bess ❤️🩹 and Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men. 🌾 And finally, in this season of gift-giving, Lyric Opera Gift Certificates are a thoughtful choice for the loved ones in your life. Gift certificates can be purchased online twenty-four hours a day, so you’ll have something just in the nick of time for the big day! 🎁
The reviews are in, and Butterfly was a smashing success. From the powerful voices to the set design that perfectly complemented Puccini’s timeless musical storytelling, every element came together and moved Kansas City. Come read why Grace Suh from KC Studio called our Butterfly “absolutely captivating.”
We're so excited to share what we've been up to this school year!
In October, we hit the road with Rosabella Gregory and Dina Gregory’s delightful opera, The Haberdasher Prince! 🚌 We toured this production to 16 elementary schools, reaching nearly 3,000 students! 🥳
This enchanting tale about a prince with a passion for fashion and a village girl blessed with exceptional musical talent was performed everywhere—from gymnasiums to lunchrooms to auditoriums—and it really caught the students' imaginations! The message resonated deeply with all in attendance: “Go find love in what you do. Be true to your own instrument.” 🎶 To keep the learning and fun going, every student went home with an activity book to share with their families and loved ones. 🏡
We've also significantly expanded our in-school residencies, bringing more than 1,500 hours of instruction to 650 students across 12 courses at five Kansas City Public Schools. That’s a lot of opera magic! ✨
Our dedicated Lyric Opera Teaching Artists have been in classrooms since August, giving students direct instruction in theater, choir, and music composition. These courses are all about providing meaningful arts experiences that let students express themselves creatively and connect with the wider community.
This semester was packed with highlights! Students got a special treat: performances from our Resident Artists MiKayla Lynn Hatfield and David Pelino, and they even got to attend the final dress rehearsal of Madame Butterfly! 🤩
What do the students think? We love this feedback:
- “I liked when she started singing, it sounded very beautiful. Also when she gave us some tips for our voice it helped me out.”
- “[My favorite part is] definitely writing my opera. I love writing as it is and getting to write an actual opera sounds pretty cool!”
- “My favorite memory from this class was when we first met Mr. Isaac and the whole class got to add a note on his computer and the whole class made a song.”
None of this incredible work would be possible without the talent and care of our fantastic Teaching Artists:
- Justin Barron
- Victoria Botero
- Rodrigo Camargo
- Nicholas Clark
- Andrew Sanders
- Isaac Villaroya
- Dominique Waller
- Erica Weiss
Thank you for everything you do! Bravi tutti! 👏
Did you know you may be able to lower your taxable income and support world‑class opera in Kansas City by making a charitable gift directly from your IRA? It’s a powerful way to maximize your year‑end impact while helping Lyric Opera inspire students, nurture artists, and bring unforgettable productions to our community.
Learn more about IRA giving and how to make your gift before December 31!
This spring, Lyric Opera will celebrate America's 250th birthday with performances and programming surrounding American artists. We begin 2026 with the Lyric's first-ever performance of The Gershwins®' Porgy and Bess. Then, we celebrate the literary work of Langston Hughes with a community tour of Langston Hughes: A Lyrical Life. Finally, we end our season with the gritty operatic adaptation of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, by the father of American opera, Carlisle Floyd.
Save the date for the 2026 Lyric Opera Ball! On Saturday, April 11, 2026, join us for A Modern Masquerade at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, presented by the Lyric Opera Circle. This festive evening of music, mystery, and magnificence supports world-class productions, education, and engagement programs.
Single tickets go on sale in January 2026, or secure your spot now by becoming a benefactor!
This holiday season, give the gift of opera! You can purchase gift certificates of any amount to add to everyone's stocking this season. Gift certificates to Lyric Opera never expire, and can be used for tickets to any show, parking passes, and even subscriptions!
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Season Sponsors
With public support from the State of Missouri and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
The Gershwins®' Porgy and Bess is supported, in part, by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund and the Mark Edelman Theater Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City. Langston Hughes: A Lyrical Life is made possible by the Dr. Mary E. Brothers Resident Artist Performance Fund. Of Mice and Men is made possible, in part, by generous support from The Sunderland Foundation.
