Summer and the World Cup have arrived in Kansas City! ⚽ Even though we aren’t actively in production, there is a lot of hot summer news. 🍵 Lyric Opera's long-time general director, Deborah Sandler Kemper, announced she will retire at the end of the 2026–2027 season after fifteen years of distinguished service to Lyric Opera. ♥️ Also, single tickets are ON SALE NOW 🎟️—a month earlier than usual. 🗓️ We expect a lot of demand for single tickets for next season, and the best way to get the best seats at the best prices is to buy earlier ⏳ before prices rise and inventory tightens; but if you really want to save major dollars on fees and get 20% off the full ticket price, we recommend becoming a subscriber and purchasing all four productions at once. 😎
Read more below about some upcoming auditions, how to support Lyric Opera as our fiscal year closes, and some great opportunities for summer opera with regional partners Des Moines Metro Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. 👇
In a major announcement in May 2026, Lyric Opera General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler Kemper shared that the upcoming 2026–2027 season would be the last one before her retirement in June 2027. The first woman to serve as general director and CEO, Deb will have ushered Lyric Opera through fifteen seasons of opera, pioneering new works, deepening community connections, and supporting artistic excellence in Kansas City.
This season's lineup features four operas that are perfect for both first-timers and seasoned operagoers. Pop culture has become infused with this season's operas, inspiring retellings like Rent and Disney's Aida, and appearing in unexpected places like Willy Wonka, Star Trek, The Shawshank Redemption, Zombieland, and even Despicable Me 3. Get your tickets now to experience the familiar stories and music of the world’s most influential operas!
The unbridled JOY of a comedic chase. The devastating ACHE of a final goodbye. The ELECTRICITY of a live performance. As the curtain closes on this season, make your gift by June 30 to prepare the stage for new stories that will make you FEEL transported long after you leave the theater!
Interested in giving through a Donor Advised Fund, IRA, or gift of appreciated stock? Learn more about alternative giving methods on our website, or contact us today at rclark@kcopera.org or (816) 802-6057.
May and the Magic Ring / Photo © Andrew Schwartz
Calling all Kansas City singers and pianists! 🎹 Lyric Opera’s Learning Department is seeking musicians to bring two programs—Mozart's Mic Drop and Maya and the Magic Ring—to local schools in the 2026–2027 season. If you're passionate about opera, arts education, and building engaged audiences for the future, we want to hear from you! ✨
Porgy and Bess / Photo © Andrew Schwartz
As we prepare to welcome the Lyric's seventieth season this fall, we continue to reflect on the landmark achievements made during the 2025–2026 season at Lyric Opera! Check out this year's season gallery to revisit some favorite memories from the stage and in the community. We look forward to seeing you at the Kauffman Center in September!
Tosca / Photo © Ben Easter for Des Moines Metro Opera
While you wait for the Lyric's September production of La bohème, check out some of the other amazing opera happening in the Midwest!
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is celebrating its fiftieth season this year, with performances continuing through June 27. They will present The Pirates of Penzance (a production coming to Lyric Opera in spring 2027), Adam Guettel’s romantic The Light in the Piazza, André Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire, and Charles Gounod's epic telling of Romeo and Juliet. Lyric Opera subscribers can get discounts on Opera Theatre of Saint Louis tickets through the Opera Passport program!
Just a few hours north, Des Moines Metro Opera‘s season runs June 26–July 17 and will include a production of Tosca designed by Steven C. Kemp, designer of the Lyric's recent Cinderella and upcoming Aida. Also featured will be Floyd's Of Mice and Men (a very familiar production to Lyric Opera audiences!) and Karol Szymanowski's Polish opera King Roger.
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Season Sponsors
The 2026–2027 season is sponsored by the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts; the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation; the Lyric Opera of Kansas City Foundation; and R.C. Kemper Charitable Trust and Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee; with public support from Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
