Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Opera productions: Lyric Opera of Kansas City produced four mainstage operas in the 2022-23 season, totaling 14 performances. We opened the season with one of the most popular operas of all time, bizet's "carmen," followed by verdi's "la traviata." In the spring, we presented composer paul moravec and librettist mark campbell's contemporary Opera "the shining," based on the classic horror novel by stephen king. The Lyric was asked to produce the work's premiere recording in collaboration with the Kansas City symphony and renowned conductor gerard schwarz. The season concluded with the semi-staged concert "sondheim on sondheim," honoring the legacy of the late composer. We also offered eight public performances of the holiday classic "amahl and the night visitors" in our production arts building.

Education/engagement: in 2022-23, we launched our in-school educational initiative Opera unlocked, which included an in-school tour of a newly commissioned Opera, "sketchbook for ollie;" school performances of "amahl and the night visitors;" narrative storytelling workshops; a residency with young women on the move; student dress rehearsals; Lyric Opera preludes; and sessions on careers in the Opera world. Community and family programming encourages people of all ages to build lifelong relationships with the arts. 2022-23 programming included community conversations that explore the "here and now" implications of Opera; Opera dives deep presentations that provide insight into our season; pre-opera talks; Opera to go performances at retirement/assisted living facilities; and daytime performances of operas for families.