Reviews
Reviews of recent Lyric Opera main stage productions can be found below. For press inquiries, contact Ellen McDonald, Publicity Consultant, at (816) 444-0052 or publicity@kcopera.org.
Madama Butterfly (Nov. 2018)
Broadway World: Madama Butterfly at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, by Alan Portner
KC Studio: Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s Traditional “Madama Butterfly” Transforms as Opera of Our Time, by Libby Hanssen
In Kansas City: Review: Lyric Opera’s Madama Butterfly, by Brandon Tietz
West Side Story (Sept. 2018)
Broadway World: “WEST SIDE STORY at Lyric Opera of Kansas City” by Alan Portner
KC Studio: “An American Classic Lives Again in Dazzling Lyric Opera Production” by Robert Trussell
bachtrack: “West Side Story in Kansas: Broadway flair meets opera style” by Hilary Stroh
Opera Wire: “A Powerful Performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Masterpiece on Opening Night” by Freddy Dominguez
IN Kansas City: “Review: Lyric Opera’s West Side Story” by Lonita Cook with Michael Mackie
PerformInk: “Review: WEST SIDE STORY at Lyric Opera of Kansas City” by Bec Pennington
KC Applauds: “Lyric Opera Opens With Broadway Caliber Musical” by Bob Evans
The Barber of Seville (Apr. - May 2018)
Jessie Riggins for KC Metropolis
“Spectacular Spectacle”
Alan Portner for Broadway World
“The Barber of Seville at Lyric Opera of Kansas City”
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
“A grand, funny and wicked Barber of Seville”
Frank Siraguso for FrankieSez.com
“…the ancestor of 1930s screwball comedies”
The Independent: “In Review: Lyric Sings Lovely Barber, Splashing Color And Silliness Into The Mix.” by Paul Horsley
Rigoletto (March 2018)
Anthony Rogers for KC Metropolis
“Revenge is no joking matter”
Bob Evans for KC Applauds
“Revenge delivers tragic results in ‘Rigoletto'”
Marie Warner for PerformInk
“Review: RIGOLETTO at Lyric Opera of Kansas City”
Alan Portner for Broadway World
“RIGOLETTO at Lyric Opera Of Kansas City”
Bob Stewart for KC Stage
“Rigoletto Seems Timely Despite Traditional Setting”
Paul Horsley for The Independent
“In Review: Lyric Stages Workaday ‘Rigoletto'”
As One (January 2018)
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
A Thought Provoking As One at KC Lyric Opera
Anthony Rodgers for KCMetropolis
A shared journey
Everest (November 2017)
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis
At the top of the world
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
The Madness of Mountains: Lyric’s “Everest” a compelling modern work
Abigail Trabue for Perform Ink Kansas City
Review: EVEREST at Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Alan Portner for Broadway World
BWW Review: EVEREST at Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Paul Horsley for The Independent
In Review: Lyric Stages Tuneful, Visually Striking New Opera (And the Weather Outside is Indeed Frightful)
Eugene Onegin (Sept.-Oct. 2017)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera beautifully illustrates youthful regret in new ‘Eugene Onegin’
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
Lyric’s “Eugene Onegin” speaks of regrets, missed opportunities
Anthony Rodgers for KCMetropolis
Love while you still have the chance
Marie Warner for Perform Ink Kansas City
Review: EUGENE ONEGIN at Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Paul Horsley for The Independent
Timing is Everything: Lyric’s Intricate, Open-Hearted ‘Onegin’ Strikes to the Core of the Work’s Humanity
Kyle MacMillan for Opera News
Eugene Onegin
Dead Man Walking (Mar. 2017)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera’s controversial ‘Dead Man Walking’ raises conflicts of justice and forgiveness
Jordan Buchholtz for KCMetropolis.org
The point of no return
The Marriage of Figaro (Nov. 2016)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Beautiful and comic, Lyric Opera’s ‘Figaro’ hits all the right notes
Jessie Riggins for KCMetropolis.org
“Figaro’s” triumphant return
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
With “Figaro”, Lyric’s season is off to a strong start
Paul Horsley for The Independent
REVIEW: Lyric Opera Delivers a ‘Figaro’ of Polished Sophistication
Hansel and Gretel (Sept. 2016)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera’s ‘Hänsel and Gretel’ is a charming opera with minimal menace
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis.org
Fairytale, scary tale
Alan Portner for Broadwayworld.com
BWW Review: HANSEL AND GRETEL at Lyric Opera Of Kansas City
Carmen (Apr. - May 2016)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s inviting, dramatic ‘Carmen’ closes the season
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis.org
Closing with “Carmen”
Paul Horsley for The Independent
Lyric ‘Carmen’ keeps us intrigued, introduces stunning Mezzo-Soprano
Alan Portner for Broadwayworld.com
BWW Review: Carmen at Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Frank C. Siraguso for Kansas City infoZine
Carmen, at The Lyric Opera, Review
The Elixir of Love (Mar. 2016)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera’s tuneful and innocent ‘The Elixir of Love’ is a pleasing potion
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
‘Elixir’ not terribly robust but goes down easy
Paul Horsley for The Independent
IN THE SERVICE OF MYTH: Donizetti Favorite Can’t be Taken too Seriously
Alan Portner for Broadwayworld.com
BWW Review: The Elixir of Love at Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Rusalka (Nov. 2015)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera’s ‘Rusalka’ a beautiful telling of lovelorn water nymph
Christopher Gage for KCMetropolis.org
Dvořák masterpiece receives star treatment
Paul Horsley for The Independent
VERDANT VISIONS: Lyric’s ‘Rusalka’ Explores Beauties of ‘Little Mermaid’ Tale
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
‘Rusalka’ a fairy tale for adults
Floyd Gingrich for Examiner.com
Dvořák’s ‘Rusalka’ a fine first Czech performance by the Kansas City Lyric Opera
Don Giovanni (Sept. 2015)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera captures menace of ‘Don Giovanni’ in stylish film noir production
Sarah Young for KCMetropolis.org
Giovanni Goes Noir: Kristine McIntyre’s direction of a film noir “Don Giovanni” a stunning success, capturing the essence of this opera’s power and moral struggle
Paul Horsley for The Independent
CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING: Lyric Opera ‘Giovanni’ Exploits Visual, Emotional Contrasts
Tosca (Apr. 2015)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Emotional performances and orchestral energy in Lyric Opera’s ‘Tosca’
Alan Portner for AXS.com
Tosca inhabits Muriel Kauffman Theater for Lyric Opera
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
“Tosca” finishes off 2014-15 season with a bang. Literally.
Floyd Gingrich for Examiner.com
‘Tosca’ at Kauffman Center, only the best; Lyric Opera can take pride
Frank Siraguso for InfoZine.com
The Lyric Opera’s opulent production of Puccini’s Tosca is a tragedy cloaked in beauty
James Henry for KCMetropolis.org
Top-Notch Opera
Silent Night (Feb. 2015)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera’s ‘Silent Night’ a beautiful, horrific masterpiece
Paul Horsley for The Independent
JOYOUS MOMENT: KC Lyric tackles bold new opera asking ‘Big Questions’ about war
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis.org
Powerful history and performances in Pulitzer opera
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
‘Silent Night’ proof opera is not a dead medium
Floyd Gingrich for Examiner.com
‘Silent Night,’ at the Kauffman; the best of the combined arts
The Italian Girl in Algiers (Nov. 2014)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
KC’s Lyric Opera presents a rambunctious, amusing ‘The Italian Girl in Algiers’
Floyd Gingrich for Examiner.com
Lyric Opera of Kansas City scores with Rossini’s, ‘The Italian Girl in Algiers’
Karen Hauge for KCMetropolis.org
Rollick and romp with Rossini
Paul Horsley for The Independent
NO HAREM APPARENT: Lyric Production brings out musical treasures in zany Rossini comedy
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
Litialia simple, but fun
La Traviata (Sept. - Oct. 2014)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera’s ‘La Traviata’ enoyable musically and visually
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis.org
“Sempre libera” and always delightful
Paul Horsley for The Independent
PASSION WITH A FLICKER OF FIRE: Lyric brings attractive production, fresh voices, to Verdi classic
Floyd Gingrich for Examiner.com
‘La Traviata’ glistens on Kansas City Lyric Opera Stage, Joyce El-Khoury shines
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
‘Traviata’ starts Lyric season
Die Fledermaus (Apr. - May 2014)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” has amusing treatment, memorable melodies
Anthony Rodgers for KCMetropolis.org
Laughter, love, and champagne
Paul Horsley for The Independent
BATS IN THE BELFRY: Lyric’s Fledermaus offers fine singing, excellent scenic design, firm direction
La bohème (March 2014)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Puccini’s ‘La bohème’ tells passionate tale of tragic romance
Paul Horsley for The Independent
CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION: Lyric delivers solid, well-sung version of Puccini classic
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis.org
“La bohème” is an inspired success
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
“Boheme” catches hold of audience, never lets go
The Magic Flute (Nov. 2013)
Robert Trussell for The Kansas City Star
Lyric Opera’s ‘Magic Flute’ transforms Mozart’s whimsical opera into indelible visual trip
Paul Horsley for The Independent
GARDEN OF VISUAL DELIGHTS: Lyric’s ‘Flute’ rides on top-flight vocals, over-the-top designs
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
A fascinating, compelling production of a classic
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis.org
Lights, action, and the magic of Mozart
The Capulets and the Montagues (Sept. 2013)
Libby Hanssen for The Kansas City Star
Passionate, psychological ‘Capulets and Montagues’ features hometown diva Joyce DiDonato
Paul Horsley for The Independent
FAMILY TIES: Eternal ‘clash of clans’ shines in Lyric’s polished, beautifully sung production
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis.org
Romeo and Juliet revisited
The Mikado (April 2013)
Karen Hauge for KCMetropolis.org
Terrific topsy-turvydom in the town of Titipu
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
Lyric’s Mikado Tries Too hard, Succeeds Anyway
Alexia Lang for The Vignette
2 Thumbs Up For ‘Mikado’
Melody Paige for KC Stage
The Uncultured Review of The Mikado
The Flying Dutchman (March 2013)
Paul Horsley for The Independent
DUTCHMAN ADRIFT: Lyric Opera embarks, finally, on mythical Wagnerian journey
Kelly Luck for KC Stage
Wagner’s “Dutchman” sails into Kauffman
Sarah Tyrrell for KCMetropolis.org
“Dutchman” sets sail
