Opera Dives Deep: Verismo’s Creative Deceptions

Dr. Jane Sylvester, Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and noted opera scholar, joined Opera Dives Deep on Monday, September 18, 2023 to prepare audiences for Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. Her presentation, entitled Verismo’s Creative Deceptions: The Fictions of the Italian South in Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci, explored how—and why—practitioners of … Read more

Cav/Pag in Pop Culture

by Beth Wamsley Don’t know opera? Think again! Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci have left a mark not only on the world of classical music, but of pop culture. These two iconic works (often referred to together as Cav/Pag) have been referenced, parodied, and celebrated across various forms of media. Seinfeld Seinfeld has paid tribute to … Read more

Viva il vino! Opera in Community

The above words are sung by Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana. In this scene, Turiddu invites everyone for a drink at his mother’s tavern after Easter church service. Listen to Italian tenor Mario Del Monaco as Turiddu leading the toast! These same words—in a slightly more accessible English translation—also served as the opening toast at our … Read more

LOKC Amplified: September 2023

It’s post-Labor Day, and fall is in the air in Kansas City. 🍂 Fall in Kansas City means the return of football 🏈 and activities like the Plaza Art Fair 🎨 and haunted houses 👻 in the West Bottoms. It’s also the return of world-class opera in our community! 🎵 Later this month, our ✨BRAND … Read more

Opera and Hip-Hop: Uniting Musical Worlds

by Beth Wamsley In the vast realm of music, seemingly distinct genres often find common ground. One such fusion lies at the crossroads of opera and hip-hop. While these genres may appear worlds apart, they share more than meets the ear! Storytelling and Emotion At their core, opera and hip-hop are mediums for storytelling and … Read more

June newsletter, 2023

It’s summertime in Kansas City. Longer days, lots of sunshine, and languid pool days await! 🏖️ So what happens at the opera during the summer? Behind the scenes, our box office is buzzing with activity as we diligently work to accommodate our valued subscribers’ seating preferences. 🐝 In addition, our talented production department is meticulously … Read more

Make ticket exchanges online!

Did you know you can request ticket exchanges online? Here’s how: 3. Select your account name at the top of the page, above upcoming events. 4. Check that your account information is correct. 5. Select “Upcoming Events” in the left-hand column.  6. Select the event you would like to request changes for by selecting the “Request … Read more

Sondheim On Sondheim: Guided Listening

Sondheim on Sondheim is a musical revue consisting of music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim. In all, the show features 24 songs from 18 shows showcasing Sondheim’s career over a period of more than 60 years. Sondheim on Sondheim had a limited run on Broadway in 2010 and was nominated for five Tony Awards. The show … Read more

April Newsletter, 2023

Welcome to April!  Can you believe the end of the 2022–2023 season is near? But don’t worry; there are still two more opportunities to open your world.  First, we have Listen, Wilhelmina!, our fun and engaging family opera for young people and the young at heart. At a mere twenty-five minutes, this show is the perfect way to … Read more