Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Journey at Valhalla

A NOTE FROM DEBORAH SANDLER KEMPER

Welcome to the final production of the 2023-2024 season. We’ve been on quite a musical journey this season—from Sicily in Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci to the Austrian Alps in The Sound of Music, the alleys, and ballrooms of Verona, and finally arriving in Wagner’s mythical realm of giants, dragons, and gods—we’re so glad you could join us this season.

Before we wrap up the season, we have one more journey, Journey to Valhalla, our very own immersive presentation of the Ring Cycle, all in one evening. Our world-class creative team has assembled a fantastic performance that will ignite a new love for Wagner or reignite the passions of the already-established Wagnerite.

The 2024-2025 season has been announced and features opera superstars, classic opera fare, and a Kansas City premiere. Be sure to renew your subscription by phone, online, or in the lobby at intermission.

As always, thanks to you for taking our opera journey with us. We look forward to seeing you next season on another journey through our varied and splendid offerings.

Warm regards,

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 2023–2024

OFFICERS

Anthony Durone, President

Richard English, Vice President

Scott Blakesley, Secretary

Mark Benedict, Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dr. Ivan Batlle

Richard P. Bruening

Tom Butch

Casey Claps

Dr. Melinda Estes

Michael D. Fields

Christina Hager

Kenneth V. Hager

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Mary Leonida

Mira Mdivani

Edward P. Milbank

Thomas E. Nanney

Andrew Robb

Jug Stanovcic

Steve Taylor

Carmen Sabates | President, Lyric Opera Circle

Sharon Barry | 2024 Ball Co-Chair, Lyric Opera Circle

Deanna Diebolt | 2024 Ball Co-Chair, Lyric Opera Circle

Drewbie Price | Chair, Orpheus KC

LEGAL COUNSEL, EX-OFFICIO MEMBER

Wade Kerrigan, Husch Blackwell, LLP, General Counsel

Established 1899 | Kansas City’s Journal of Society

The first issue of The Independent was published on March 11, 1899. The magazine was the brainchild of Arthur Grissom and George Creel. Young Mr. Grissom soon returned to New York, where he was a founder of The Smart Set prior to his death at the age of 31. George Creel continued to run The Independent until 1909. (In later years, Mr. Creel would serve as chairman of the Committee for Public Information under President Woodrow Wilson. He devised much of the propaganda that encouraged Americans to support World War I.) The next owners of the magazine were Clara Kellogg and Katherine Baxter of the Kellogg-Baxter Printing Company, who lived and worked together. After Miss Baxter’s death from pneumonia at the age of 43 in 1924, Miss Kellogg published an annual tribute to her. Martha Nichols Gaylord (Mrs. Gleed Gaylord) became the editor and owner in 1939, a decade after she joined the staff. Mrs. Gaylord headed the magazine during a time when the arts were proliferating in Our Town: The Kansas City Ballet was founded in 1957, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in 1958 and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 1964. Mrs. Gaylord sold The Independent to Robert P. Ingram in 1983. Laureen Ingram, Mr. Ingram’s daughter-in-law, purchased the magazine from him in 1996. Rachel Lewis Falcon became the new owner and publisher in 2017.

The 2023 QX80 INFINITI of Kansas City

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND THE COMMUNITY

STUDENT DRESS REHEARSAL

Groups of students and their teachers are invited to attend final dress rehearsals at the Kauffman Center where they will experience the sweeping music and thrilling drama of the opera. Teachers receive access to curricular resources to amplify learning already occurring in the classroom.

OPERA UNLOCKED

Opera Unlocked is our new comprehensive in-school educational initiative focusing on students in grades K-12. Prioritizing socialemotional learning and curricular alignment, a wide variety of gradespecific interactive programs are available to area schools.

COMMUNITY CO NV ERSATIONS

Community Conversations uses opera to discover our shared humanity, on and off the stage. We invite the culturally curious to explore the “here and now” implications of our productions in a series of events featuring live music and stimulating conversation. No prior opera knowledge needed!

OPERA D IV ES DEEP

This free series provides fresh insights from regional scholars and industry professionals to enrich appreciation and understanding of the operas in our season. Both established operagoers and curious newcomers alike are sure to make interesting discoveries.

P RE-OPERA TALKS

Do you have tickets to see an opera at the Kauffman Center? Come one hour early to learn about the who, what, where, when, and why of the production you’re about to see.

Visit kcopera.org/learning to view our entire menu of programs, learn more, and register.

RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAM

Continued on page 21.

Resident Artists are chosen by national audition. The program bridges graduate training to professional careers by providing performance opportunities, coaching, and career training.

KELLI VAN METER (Soprano)

Soprano Kelli Van Meter’s (they/she) recent engagements include the Charlotte Street Foundation’s New Music Compositions concert which showcased original scores exploring queer themes, soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Kansas City Symphony, and featured soloist with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory Orchestra and Hastings Symphony Orchestra. Notable roles include the title role in Suor Angelica, Judith (Bluebeard’s Castle), Alice Ford (Falstaff), Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus), Arminda (La finta giardiniera), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Elle (La voix humaine), and Violetta (La traviata). Awards include first place in the UMKC Chancellor’s Competition and Naftzger Young Artist Competition. Van Meter received their degrees in voice performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and University of Kansas under the mentorship of Maria Kanyova.

CHRISTINE BODDICKER (Mezzo-Soprano)

Mezzo-soprano Christine Boddicker made her professional debut in 2022 with Indianapolis Opera as a fall Resident Artist. Boddicker has been a Young Artist with Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center, Opera Steamboat, Miami Music Festival, and Chicago Summer Opera. Notable roles include Sesto (La clemenza di Tito), Angelina (Cinderella), Sesto (Giulio Cesare), and Mercédès (Carmen). Boddicker’s competition accolades include finalist in the 2022 San Antonio Tuesday Musical Club Young Artist Competition, semi-finalist in the 2022 and 2023 Saengerbund Awards, and the first-place award in the 2021 MIOpera Vocal Competition. She received her master’s degree in performance from the University of Houston and her bachelor’s degree in performance from Michigan State University.

BENJAMIN RUIZ (Tenor)

Tenor Benjamin Ruiz made his European debut with Mittelsächsisches Theater as Polizist (Brundibár) and Profesor Würchem (DerVogelhändler). Notable roles include L’Italien (Angélique), John Styx (Orpheus in the Underworld), Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas), Witch (Hansel and Gretel), Peter Quint (Turn of the Screw), and Young LBJ in the world premiere of Lady Bird: First Lady of the Land. Ruiz was named a first prize winner of the Inaugural Duncan Williams International Voice Competition, an Encouragement Award Winner of the 2023 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, and an award winner of the 2023 Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Vocal Competition. Ruiz was recipient of the Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation Scholarship in Voice at Manhattan School of Music from 2021–2023. Ruiz holds a master’s degree in voice performance from the Manhattan School of Music.

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RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAM CONT.

JOSE OLIVARES (Bass-Baritone)

Bass-baritone Jose Olivares’ recent roles include Simone (Gianni Schicchi), Horace Vandergelder (Hello, Dolly!), Pandolfe (Cinderella), and Holborn Gaines (The Manchurian Candidate) with Seagle Festival, and Dulcamara (The Elixir of Love) and Colline (La bohème) with Opera Magnifico. Other roles include Dr. Gregg (Gallantry), Kapo (The Path to Heaven), Germano (La scala di seta), Olin Blitch (Susannah), soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Dubois’ Seven Last Words, and Hayes’ Requiem. Olivares holds a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

JIMIN SEO (Coach-Accompanist)

Performer, conductor, vocal coach, and collaborative pianist Jimin Seo joined Indianapolis Opera as a resident artist in 2018. In 2015, she was a finalist in the American Choral Directors Association Student Conducting Competition. Seo earned her Bachelor of Music in conducting with minors in organ and voice from Yonsei University. She holds a Master of Music in choral conducting, collaborative piano, and orchestral conducting from the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting and collaborative piano at the University of North Texas.

Music and Libretto by Richard Wagner

PRINCIPAL CAST

Brünnhilde (Soprano)

Siegmund (Tenor)

Siegfried (Tenor)

Sieglinde (Soprano)

Wotan (Bass-Baritone)

Alberich (Bass)

Fricka (Mezzo-Soprano)

Woglinde/Forest Bird (Soprano)

Wellgunde (Mezzo-Soprano)

Flosshilde (Mezzo-Soprano)

^ Lyric Opera Resident Artist + KU Apprentice

Rebecca Nash*

Robert Stahley*

Corby Welch*

Meghan Kasanders*

Kyle Albertson*

Peter Morgan@ Sarah Saturnino*

Kelli Van Meter^

Christine Boddicker^

Deanna Ray Eberhart+

* Lyric Debut @Past Resident Artist/Apprentice

Musical material for Journey toValhalla prepared and arranged by Michael Christie

Presented in German with English titles

Running Time: Two hours and forty-five minutes with one intermission

SEASON SPONSORS:

With public support from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Journey to Valhalla is sponsored by the Lyric Opera Circle.

The performances of the Resident Artists in this production are sponsored, in part, by Orpheus KC.

English Captions for Journey toValhalla owned by Jonathan Dean, ©2024

Stage crew provided by IATSE Local 31

Wardrobe crew provided by The Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 810

CREATIVE TEAM

CONDUCTOR

DIRECTOR

PROJECTION DESIGNER

COSTUME DESIGNER

LIGHTING DESIGNER

SOUND DESIGNER

REHEARSAL ACCOMPANIST

MUSIC LIBRARIAN

PROPS SUPERVISOR

ENGLISH CAPTIONS

TITLES OPERATOR

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

HEAD CARPENTER

HEAD PROPSMAN

HEAD ELECTRICIAN

HEAD FLYMAN

HEAD SOUND ENGINEER

WARDROBE SUPERVISOR

WARDROBE ASSISTANT

* Lyric Debut

Michael Christie

Joshua Horowitz

David Murakami*

Nancy Robinson

Selena Gonzalez-Lopez

John Story

Piotr Wiśniewski

Elena Lence-Talley

Gavin Merrill

Jonathan Dean

Sarah Zsohar

Alayna Powell

Jess Tibboles

Kyle Deckman

Steve Cochran

Daniel McMahan

Evan Suellentrop

Grant Conrad

Desiree Baird Story

Amanda McCarty

CONDUCTOR’S NOTES

So much of our human experience relies on stories. In fact, we are so good at storytelling we have deep-down, instinctive reactions to how they are told, how we relate to the characters and the situations they find themselves in. I marvel that every society, no matter how isolated, and for how long, has conjured tales with themes relatable to those created a half-planet away. What makes Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle so unique is the way music is deployed as the storyteller.

Wagner’s music is a constellation of signals, pointing us to the arrival of a character, the influence of a known or upcoming theme, and/or a naturalistic element that, if not represented directly on stage, evokes imagery for our “mind’s eye.” These signals are called leitmotifs. There are over sixty repeatedly deployed throughout the Ring Cycle and they represent locations, the characteristics of each character, and symbols such as the Ring itself. Even if you haven’t heard a single note of these operas before, welcome them into your storytelling experience.

Wagner masterfully modelled his poetry on Greek dramas with a basis in Norse epic storylines and characters. While our ears process Wagner’s grand orchestral palette we are also offered delicious alliteration called “Stabreim” (“sh-tahb-rime”). The very first sung words of the saga are “Weia! Waga! Woge du Welle, walle zur Wiege!” Each character has their own text delivery style, but right away we are presented an abundant feast of musical and poetic expression.

Creating Journey toValhalla has been an illuminating experience. I was challenged during this attempt to distill Wagner’s natural unfolding of situations and relationships into something that would offer you a musically satisfying tour all the while knowing a majority of the intertwined storylines would not be introduced. For those of you who know the Ring Cycle well, I offer my apologies for omitting aspects you treasure. For those of you experiencing this music and poetry for the first time or may know a bit of its ubiquitous score, welcome (!) to a truly heroic masterwork. As I created each orchestra part for these performances, I marveled at the incredible level of detail and care Wagner put into every instrument. I still can’t figure out how he would have ever had the time to write each of these parts by hand and have perspective for how the project was developing!

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Richard Wagner’s monumental Der Ring des Nibelungen weaves a narrative of creation from a genesis depicted in Das Rheingold to the cataclysmic events of Götterdämmerung sweeping in a new world order, devoid of the Gods of old. Within Wagner’s epic is found a web of symbolism, wherein a ring of power, Wotan’s mighty spear, and the powerful waters of the Rhine River intertwine to unveil profound truths about the human condition. Behind the Ring Cycle’s grand mythos, a simple yet transcendent moral is revealed: in a realm where unrestrained power will always corrupt, love can be a bastion of hope clearing the way for a new vision of the world.

There are an incredible number of challenges for a team when creating and staging the cycle. For Journey toValhalla, we set out to achieve a simple task: to tell a succinct story—one that follows the epic world that Wagner created, but can be seen as a standalone work. Our mission was to find visual elements that would complement the music and help in storytelling, after all, opera is at its heart, the melding of the aural and visual worlds.

We were drawn to the illuminating world of Arthur Rackham who, between 1910 and 1911, released a two-volume work illustrating Wagner’s cycle. Rackham’s pen and ink drawings are transformative, and much like Wagner’s music, they are fantastical and fluid. David Murakami’s animated projections and text are visual guides through the four operas. They are meant to transport you to Rackham’s world of the Ring and allow the imagination to fill the stage space. The orchestra, featured onstage, are too part of our storytelling weaving together the symphonic fabric of the score with the visual elements of our performance.

In approaching Journey toValhalla, my main goal was twofold: for the Wagnerian at heart, it is a tribute to the full breadth of the Ring Cycle and a compliment to all four operas. For the newcomer to Wagner (or to the opera) it is a taste of the complex mythology, and an invitation to explore even more. The operas are all-encompassing and therefore should encompass all audiences, here they are made approachable to anyone.

Der Ring des Nibelungen tells the story of humanity, of our follies, our destructive nature, and our ability to love. Journey toValhalla is an homage to Wagner’s epic, beckoning both enthusiasts and newcomers to delve into the timeless depths of its mythos and the transformative power of love, mirroring the journey of the Ring Cycle itself.

To seek power is human; to love, divine.

How toys, scouting and storybooks taught a clear lesson: loyalty and commitment will win the war.

KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY

MICHAEL STERN, Music Director

FIRST VIOLINS

Jun Iwasaki, Concertmaster,

Miller Nichols Chair

Stirling Trent, Associate Concertmaster

Sunho Kim, Assistant Concertmaster

Anne-Marie Brown

Michael Brown

Betty Chen

Anthony DeMarco

Susan Goldenberg*

Tomoko Iguchi

Dorris Dai Janssen

Filip Lazovski #

Chiafei Lin

Vladimir Rykov

Alex Shum*

SECOND VIOLINS

Tamamo Someya Gibbs, Principal

Kristin Velicer, Acting Associate Principal

Minhye Helena Choi, Acting Assistant Principal

Arianna Brusubardis Grace #

Mary Garcia Grant

Kazato Inouye

Rena Ishii

Paul Kim #

Stephanie Larsen

Jinyou Lee #

Sodam Lim

James Zabawa-Martinez ^

VIOLAS

MingYu Hsu, Principal

Duncan Steele #, Associate Principal

Jessica Nance, Assistant Principal

Kent Brauninger

Sean Brumble

Marvin Gruenbaum

Jenifer Houck

Duke Lee

Jesse Yukimura

CELLOS

Mark Gibbs, Principal, Robert A. Kipp Chair

Susie Yang, Associate Principal, Richard Hill Chair

Alexander East, Assistant Principal

Matt Beckmann ^

Maria Crosby

John Eadie

Lawrence Figg

Meredith McCook

Allen Probus

DOUBLE BASSES

Evan Halloin, Acting Principal

Richard Ryan, Acting Associate Principal

Nils Aardahl

Lena Goodson ^

Joseph Nunez

Keith Wymer ^

Caleb Quillen*

FLUTES

Michael Gordon, Principal, Marylou and John Dodds

Turner Chair

Shannon Finney, Associate Principal

Kayla Burggraf

PICCOLO

Kayla Burggraf

OBOES

Kristina Fulton, Principal, Shirley Bush Helzberg Chair

Alison Chung, Associate Principal

Matthew Lengas

ENGLISH HORN

Matthew Lengas

CLARINETS

Raymond Santos, Principal, Bill and Peggy Lyons Chair

Trevor Stewart ^ , Acting Associate Principal

Silvio Guitian* , Associate Principal

John Klinghammer

E-FLAT CLARINET

Trevor Stewart ^

Silvio Guitian*

BASS CLARINET

John Klinghammer

BASSOONS

Ann Bilderback, Principal, Barton P. and Mary D.

Cohen Chair

Thomas DeWitt, Associate Principal

Maxwell Pipinich

CONTRABASSOON

Thomas DeWitt

HORNS

David Sullivan, Acting Principal, Landon and Sarah Rowland Chair

Alberto Suarez * , Principal

Elizabeth Gray Acting Associate Principal

David Gamble

Stephen Multer, Associate Principal Emeritus

Benjamin Bacni ^

TRUMPETS

Julian Kaplan, Principal, James B. and Annabel Nutter Chair

George Goad, Acting Associate Principal

Steven Franklin* , Associate Principal

Shea Kelsay ^

TROMBONES

Evelyn Carlson #, Principal

Porter Wyatt Henderson, Associate Principal

Jahleel Smith ^

BASS TROMBONE

Jahleel Smith ^

TUBA

Joe LeFevre, Principal

Frank Byrne Chair

TIMPANI

Timothy Jepson, Principal, Michael andSusan Newburger Chair

PERCUSSION

David Yoon, Acting Principal

Justin Ochoa ^ ,Acting Associate Principal

HARP

Katie Ventura ^ , Acting Principal

LIBRARIANS

Elena Lence Talley, Principal

Fabrice Curtis

Justin White, Director of Orchestra Personnel

Kirsten Loynachan, Assistant Personnel Manager

Tyler Miller, Stage Manager

* Non-Rotating Musician

# New Member

+ One-Year Member

^ On Leave of Absence

Scene I

Deep within the waters of the Rhine River, the three Rhinemaidens are charged to protect the magical Rheingold. Alberich, a dwarf of the Nibelung race, becomes fascinated by the gold and expresses his desire to possess it. The Rhinemaidens explain that one who fastens the Rheingold into a ring will gain all the powers of the universe. However, this person must foreswear love to unlock this mighty power. The Rhinemaidens ridicule Alberich for his appearance. In frustration, Alberich renounces love and steals the gold, forging it into the mighty Ring of Power.

Scene II

Up in the heavens, the construction of the Gods’ great hall of Valhalla has just finished. Wotan, chief of the Gods, is reminded by his wife Fricka that he is unable to fully pay the Giants who built the grand palace.

Hearing of the creation of the Ring,Wotan travels deep under the earth and steals the Ring from Alberich. He wishes to keep the Ring but is counseled by Erda, Goddess of the Earth, to remit it as payment and avoid the Ring’s curse. She tells him those who keep the Ring will be granted the power to control the universe, but will live a life of sorrow and destruction. He gives the Ring as payment to the Giants Fafner and Fasolt. The Giants argue over ownership of the Ring, and Fafner slays Fasolt. Now in possession of the Ring, Fafner transforms into a mighty dragon and hides away in a cave to guard his treasure.

With the payment for Valhalla made, Wotan and Fricka cross the rainbow bridge to enter their castle and rule over their domain. Below on earth, the Rhinemaidens mourn the loss of their Rheingold.

Wotan has instructed Brünnhilde, his favorite and most trusted Walküre daughter, to protect the warrior Siegmund in a forthcoming battle, in part of a plan to regain the Ring.

Scene I

Trapped in a storm and being tracked by his enemies, Siegmund seeks shelter in a small abode built around an enormous ash tree. Within lives Sieglinde, who offers him respite from the storm until her husband returns. Sieglinde asks Siegmund why he is being chased. Siegmund explains that he grew up in the forest with his mother, father, and a twin sister. His father, Wolfe, trained him to be a mighty hunter. One day, he and his father found their home burnt down with his mother killed and sister missing. His father disappeared, and he has been avoiding the men who killed his family since.

Sieglinde explains that she was forced into a marriage. During the wedding feast, a cloaked man struck terror into the hearts of all in attendance, yet to her he seemed familiar. He thrust a powerful sword into the ash tree, explaining that only a man who could release the sword could claim it as his own. Many tried to release the sword, but none succeeded. Sieglinde realized that only the man who could release the sword would free her from her miserable marriage.

Siegmund vows to free Sieglinde and pledges his love for her. Sieglinde asks if his father’s true name was Wolfe, and he admits his name was Wälse, leader of the Wälsung. She realizes the man who stuck the sword in the tree was their father, and the two are reunited in love as brother and sister. Siegmund pulls the sword out of the tree and names it “Nothung,” promising to free Sieglinde from her unhappy marriage.

The Gods, unhappy with the incestuous relationship between Siegmund and Sieglinde, convinceWotan to withdraw his support of Siegmund. Wotan orders his daughter, Brünnhilde, to instead protect Siegmund’s adversary. Brünnhilde is struck by the love between Siegmund and Sieglinde and attempts to protect them.Wotan strikes down Siegmund and smashes Nothung into pieces. He is unable to find Sieglinde, who is hidden away and pregnant with Siegmund’s son.

Scene II

An irate Wotan approaches Brünnhilde to chide her of her misdeeds. She explains that by fathering Siegmund and Sieglinde, he has begun a line of mighty warriors who will fight for good. Wotan says her betrayal was too great and she must be punished. He puts Brünnhilde into a deep sleep and lays her on a rock upon a mountain. He calls forth Loge, God of Fire, and surrounds the sleeping Brünnhilde with a ring of fire, enchanting it so only a man with no fear in his heart may cross it to awaken the sleeping maiden.

Many years have passed since the events of DieWalküre. Sieglinde died while giving birth to a son, Siegfried. Unknowing of his divine family line, Siegfried is raised by the brother of Alberich, Mime. Mime raises the boy as a fighter, hoping he can slay the dragon Fafner, who still has the Ring. He convinces Siegfried to reforge the sword Nothung and slay the dragon. Siegfried triumphs in killing the dragon and gains possession of the Ring. In killing the dragon, his hand becomes covered in the dragon’s blood. He licks the blood from his finger and can magically hear Mime’s thoughts. Mime plans to kill Siegfried to steal the Ring. Siegfried then kills Mime.

The power of the dragon’s blood also allows Siegfried to understand a wood bird flying through the forest. The bird tells Siegfried of a sleeping woman surrounded by a circle of fire, and that only the bravest of men can cross through to awaken her. The bird leads Siegfried on his path.

While on the path, Siegfried encounters a cloaked wanderer. The wanderer asks Siegfried where he is headed, and Siegfried responds by telling him of the sleeping woman on the rock. The man continues to question Siegfried. Unknowing that the cloaked figure is his grandfather, Wotan, Siegfried answers with disdain. The wanderer blocks Siegfried’s path with his spear, but it is struck apart with a single blow by Nothung.

Siegfried approaches the sleeping Brünnhilde and wakes her with a kiss. The two pledge their love for each other, and Brünnhilde renounces her immortality to live a life with Siegfried.

Brünnhilde sends Siegfried off as he prepares to leave their home to achieve heroic deeds and find adventure. As a promise of his love to her, he gives her the Ring of Power. Unknowing of its true nature, he sets off for his travels.

While on the road, Siegfried is magically poisoned to forget Brünnhilde and their love. He is told to kidnap her and steal back the Ring of Power.

While hunting along the Rhine River, Siegfried hears the voices of the Rhinemaidens calling out to him. The Rhinemaidens urge Siegfried to return the Ring to them, but he refuses. He teases them and scoffs at their warnings. They swim away, knowing he will be dead by the end of the day and the Rheingold will be theirs again soon.

Siegfried is killed by his hunting party to steal the Ring from him. His body is borne through the city and placed upon a pyre.

With the curse of the Ring near its end, Brünnhilde realizes she and Siegfried are intertwined with the Ring’s destiny. She bequeaths the Ring to the Rhinemaidens and calls upon the God of Fire to burn Siegfried’s pyre. She jumps upon the pyre and sends the flames up to Valhalla, burning down the fortress and immolating herself. With the Ring returned to the Rhinemaidens, the Rhine River overflows and kills those that betrayed Siegfried. The curse of the Ring has been broken.

ARTISTS

REBECCA NASH

BRÜNNHILDE (Soprano)

Recent

Abigaille, Nabucco, Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe Ortrud, Lohengrin, The Metropolitan Opera Ariadne, Ariadne auf Naxos, Arizona Opera

Upcoming

Princess Turandot (Cover), Turandot, The Metropolitan Opera Isolde (Cover), Tristan und Isolde, San Francisco Opera

The Empress, Die Frau ohne Schatten, The Metropolitan Opera

ROBERT STAHLEY

SIEGMUND (Tenor)

Recent

Cavaradossi, Tosca, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Froh, Das Rheingold, The Dallas Opera

Erik, Der fliegende Holländer, Utah Opera

Upcoming

Canio, Pagliacci, The Glimmerglass Festival

Dick Johnson, The Girl of the Golden West, North Carolina Opera

CORBY WELCH

SIEGFRIED (Tenor)

Recent

Siegmund, Die Walküre, Oper Leipzig

Tristan, Tristan und Isolde, Düsseldorfer Symphoniker

Paul, Die tote Stadt, Deutsche Oper am Rhein

Upcoming

Tannhäuser, Tannhäuser, Staatstheater Karlsruhe Tristan, Tristan und Isolde, Opera House Regensburg

MEGHAN KASANDERS

SIEGLINDE (Soprano)

Recent

Fifth Maid, Elektra, The Dallas Opera

Sieglinde, Die Walküre, Virginia Opera

First Lady, The Magic Flute, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Upcoming

Lady Macbeth, Working for the Macbeths, American Lyric Theater

Sieglinde (cover), Die Walküre, San Diego Symphony Fiordiligi (cover), Così fan tutte, Opera Saratoga

KYLE ALBERTSON WOTAN (Bass-Baritone)

Recent

The Dutchman, Der fliegende Holländer, Pittsburgh Opera

Wotan, Siegfried, Virginia Opera

Wotan, Die Walküre, Virginia Opera

Upcoming

Scarpia, Tosca, Pittsburgh Opera

Senator Johnny Iselin, The Manchurian Candidate, Austin Opera

PETER MORGAN

ALBERICH (Bass)

Recent

Commendatore, Don Giovanni, Opera Tampa

Max Detweiler, The Sound of Music, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Chiron, Jason and the Argonauts, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Upcoming

Alberich/Fasolt, The Legend of the Ring, West Edge Opera

Sparafucile, Rigoletto, Druid City Opera

SARAH SATURNINO

FRICKA (Mezzo-Soprano)

Recent

Mrs. Ford, Sir John in Love, Bard SummerScape

Flora, La traviata, LA Opera

Upcoming

Elena, Zozobra: The Revenge, The Lensic Performing Arts Center

Maddalena, Rigoletto, LA Opera

KELLI VAN METER

WOGLINDE/FOREST BIRD (Soprano)

Recent

Sister Margaretta, The Sound of Music, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Querulous String, The Haberdasher Prince, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Mom, Sketchbook for Ollie, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Upcoming

Soprano, I Remember it All, No Divide KC

CHRISTINE BODDICKER

WELLGUNDE (Mezzo-Soprano)

Recent

Stéphano, Roméo et Juliette, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Sister Berthe, The Sound of Music, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Lola, Cavalleria rusticana, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Upcoming

Melissa (cover), Amadigi di Gaula, Ars Lyrica Houston

DEANNA RAY EBERHART

FLOSSHILDE (Mezzo-Soprano)

Recent

Gertrude, Roméo et Juliette, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Chorus, Cavalleria rusticana | Pagliacci, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Aunt Leeza, Sketchbook for Ollie, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

CREATIVE TEAM

MICHAEL CHRISTIE

CONDUCTOR & ARRANGER

Recent

Conductor, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, San Francisco Opera

Upcoming

Conductor, Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (world premiere), Indiana University

JOSHUA HOROWITZ

DIRECTOR

Recent

Assistant Director, Roméo et Juliette, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Associate Director, La traviata, Seattle Opera

Assistant Director, Roméo et Juliette, The Glimmerglass Festival

Upcoming Director, Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children, The Glimmerglass Festival

Assistant Director, The Magic Flute, Seattle Opera

DAVID MURAKAMI

PROJECTION DESIGNER

Recent

Projection Designer, The Shining, Atlanta Opera

Projection Designer, Ainadamar, Opéra de Montréal

Projection Designer, Spotlight Bar, Princess Cruises

Upcoming

Projection Designer, Birds & Balls, Opera Parallèle

Projection Designer, American Apollo, Des Moines Metro Opera

Projection Designer, Two Corners, Finger Lakes Opera

SELENA GONZALEZ-LOPEZ

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Recent

Associate Lighting Designer, Cavalleria rusticana | Pagliacci, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Lighting Designer, Sondheim on Sondheim, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Assistant Lighting Designer, The Flying Dutchman, Santa Fe Opera

Upcoming

Lighting Designer, Porgy and Bess, Music Theater Heritage

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

Lyric Opera of Kansas City extends its deepest appreciation to the individual contributors who help support the Company’s productions and programs. We recognize annual giving to the Company and Lyric Opera Ball of $250 or more received between March 1, 2023-March 15, 2024.

*Includes contributions to Lyric Opera Ball +Includes giving to the Special Gifts Campaign

RICHARD J. STERN SOCIETY ($50,000+)

Drs. Ivan & Karla Batlle*

Virginia & Charles Clark+

Barnett & Shirley Bush Helzberg*+

Joan Horan*+

Ingram Family Foundation*

Mr. J. Michael Sigler*+

Mrs. Carol Tinsman+

MAESTRO'S CIRCLE ($25,000 - $49,999)

Anonymous

Ann Baum

Matt & Kate Beem+

Mr. & Mrs. A. Joseph Brandmeyer

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bruening*

Ken & Marilyn Hager*+

Innes & John Hale

Mr. Edward P. Milbank*

Mr. & Mrs. T.E. McCullough+

Paul & Elizabeth Uhlmann+

BEL CANTO ($10,000 - $24,999)

Mrs. Raymond Backstrom

Mark T. Benedict & Dr. Kim Mongeau+

Thomas & Mary Beth Butch+

Ann Dickinson

Anthony & Meredith Durone*

Richard & Lauren English+

Judy Kirk

Dr. Melinda Estes & Dr. Harold Morris+

Craig & Dawn Evans*

Michael D. Fields*

Joyce G. Holland*

Kirk Foundation

Robert & Ann Regnier+

Walter & Gayle Richardson

Steve & Linda Taylor*

Mr. Michael Waterford

Ms. Connie Walker*+

IMPRESARIO

($5,000 - $9,999)

Andy & Kathy Anderson*

Gary & Suzy Bennett

Scott & Joyce Blakesley

Nan Chapman*

Blake & Melissa Cooper*

Mrs. Una Creditor*

Ann and Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation*

Randy & Edie Downing*

Marilyn A.W. & Norman E. Gaar, Esq.*

Dr. Gary Grunewald Charitable Fund

Donald J. Hall*

Yong Y. Han, M.D.

Estate of Carolyn Kay McDill

Jill Ingram Reynolds*

Niles & Lindsay Jager*

Tom & Kathy Nanney+

Andrew & Brittany Robb*

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Schellhorn*

Juliette Singer & Ian Spinks*

Jug & Rachael Stanovcic

Joseph & Carol Suhor*

H. Wayne & Melanie Thompson

Lynne & Carl Weilert*

LYRIC OPERA ANGEL

($2,500 - $4,999)

Sharon Barry*

Ellen Baty

Andrew & Peggy Beal*

Dr. Robert L. Claassen

Phyllis Cohen

Tim & Deanna Diebolt*

Bernard & Mary Ann Craig

BJ & Nicole Craig

Andrew & Victoria Flower

Dr. & Mrs. James K. Gentry*

Kurt & Linnell Gretzinger*

Richard Gutknecht

John and Sharon Hoffman

Caleb & Julia Jackson

Mary Lou James & James Taylor

Dr. Robert E. & Dr. Rebecca Johnson

Dana Koehn*

Mr. & Mrs. William Kort*

Mary Leonida*+

Mira Mdivani *

George & Suzy Pagels

Joseph & Kelly Privitera*

Don & Pamela Raffurty

Ms. Lucinda Rice-Petrie*

Michelle & Chuck Ritter

Deborah Sandler Kemper & Crosby Kemper*

Dennis & Palle Rilinger

Stephen & Dolores Schroff

Linda Singer*

Megan Toal

Fr. Paul Turner

Dr. Linda E. Voigts & Mr. Gene Voigts

Dr. Edward A. Wortham, Jr.

Dr. Michael J. & Cindy S. Wurm*

Dr. & Mrs. John Yungmeyer*

ARIA SOCIETY

($1,500 - $2,499)

Kenneth & Norma Buchwach*

Richard & Nicole Browne*

Gerard & Judy Bukowski

James & Diana Cusser

Jo Anne & Bill Dondlinger*

Mr. & Mrs. Terrence P. Dunn+

Rev. & Mrs. William J. Fasel*

Darold & Melinda Frenzen*

Trudy & Jack Gabriel

Ellen & John Goheen

Estate of Marrillie Good

Bruce & Kathy Gordon

Robert & Cynthia Hisle*

Paul & Amy Holewinski*

Craig Kemp

Sue Camberlain Klein

Graham & Helen Marcott

Lee & Carl McCaffree*

Patricia E. Cleary Miller, PhD

Edward & Chris Null

Debra & Allen Parmet

Tim Pratt & Christie Geier-Pratt

Ms. Lisa Flynn Pruch*

Ms. Carmen M. Sabates*

Clarence Simmons

Rebekah Snyder Bonde*

Howard & Irene Weiner

VIRTUOUSO

($1,000 - $1,499)

Anonymous

Joan & Bert Berkley Blue Heron Foundation

Harvey S. Bodker

Jeffrey & Diane Buczkowski

Ms. Joyce Castle

Vince & Julie Clark*

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Copaken*

Chuck & Joni Etherington*

Ellen Feldhausen

Alexandra Fontana

George & Frances Gerritz*

Donna Gould Cohen

Mr. & Mrs. Winston Grantham

George Helmkamp

Gary & Liddell Hobin

Ms. Robin L. Huff

Helena & Steven Jonassen*

Steve Joss

Mr. Michael C. Kirk

Julia & Greg Malter*

Barbara Loots & William J. Dickinson

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mayer

Andrew McDonald

Mr. & Mrs. John Middelkamp*

Donald & Linda Milligan

Drs. Margaret & Barry Nickell

Dr. & Mrs. Nelson R. Sabates*

Lora Smith*

Joshua & Jane Sosland

Charlene Thompson

Clyde & Katie Wendel

Sophia C. Zetmeir

Karl & Beth Zobrist

COMPRIMARIO

($500 - $999)

Robert & Ruth Abbott

Ms. Ann Bender*

Dara & George Bock*

Roger Bond & Victoria Hermes-Bond*

Ronald & Kathleen Bremer

Stephen & Susan Bubb*

Ms. Kelly Campbell

Arden & Mary Ann Carr

Mr. C. L. Cocke

Mr. H. Hurst Coffman

James Cook

James & Ellen Copaken*

Joanne Copeland

Dr. Patricia Mary Cox

Dr. Suzanne C. Crandall

Mr. Barry D. Culbreath II

Pat & Liz Daniels

Dr. Michael De Priest & Ms. Barbara Braznell

Laurie & Jason Eck

Steven & Carolyn Faenger*

Karen Florio

John & Hilary Fried*

Chris & Martha Gabel

Mark & Nancy Gilman

Steven Goldfarb*

Michael & Judy Graf

Carol Grantham

Joan Hall*

Rebecca Hawkins

Samantha Herdman

Lisa Merrill Hickok*

Mrs. Diana Ice

Dr. & Mrs. Roger Jackson*

Harold & Vicki James

Bradford & Ann Johnson

Judith L. King*

Robert & Georgia Kingsley*

Jolle Kirpensteijn

Mouhammed Kyasa

Mary Lewis

Bev Leonard*

Mr. Robert Lunn

Amy Martin

Heidi McIntyre

Mr. & Mrs. Lynd K. Mische*

JoZach Miller & Peter Bali*

Katherine E. Myers*

Barbara Nelson*

Bill Palluca

Stephen Platt*

Vernon & Trish Podlasek*

Mr. Hal Douglas Quinn*

Gisele Roy

Mr. Ronald Sayer

Bruce & Nancy Schall*

Jon Scheinman & Anita Toby Grow

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Schrader

Jim Schraeder

Patricia Ann Scott*

Lynn Schweig*

Karen Seaberg

Suzanne Shank*

Patrick & Mary Shaw

Edward M. Sien

Greg & Ann Smith

Kelton W. H. Smith

Barbara Spilker*

Deirdre Squires

Ms. Linda S. Stevens

Dr. Jessica Stone & Mr. Benjamin Stone*

Ursula Terrasi & Jim Miller*

Ms. Beverly Thomas

Amanda Toomey

Maarten van Swaay

Dr. Charles W. & Gail E. Van Way*

Jeff & Alisha Walker

Bryan & Jennifer Wampler*

Brian Wieth & Michele Hamlett-Weith*

George & Beverley Wilson

Jean Wise

Dean Zollman & Jackie Spears

CHORUS

($250 - $499)

David Actenberg & H. Alice Jacks

Ellen & John Aisenbrey

Richard & Emily Ballentine

Christopher & Sharon Bradford

Bryan & Maki Brown*

Nathanael Brown

Robert & Pamela Bruce*

Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Chumley

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Clark

Christopher & Emily Collins

Ms. Ellen Cooley

Dr. & Mrs. Steve Crouch

Doug & Terri Curran

Cathy Daicoff

Dr. & Mrs. John M. Davis

Mr. Kenneth Eiler

William & Eileen Everett

Donna Faucheux

Connie & Antoni Firner

Michael Fischbach

Mr. Byron Fry

Mr. Andrew Garton & Mr. Levi Tobias

Richard & Winifred Gill

Charles & Barbara Gorodetzky

Ms. Roberta Gumbel

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Hall III

Mr. & Mrs. George E. Handley

Susan & Zack Hangauer

Roger Hiatt & Patricia Haegelin-Hiatt

Dr. & Mrs. Edward Higgins

Mr. & Mrs. William Hirsch

Belinda Holmes

Bill & Margo Humenczuk

Mrs. Kelly Johnson

Mark & Linda Kapfer

Jim David Koger

Jon D. Kowing

Joan Kurz & Larry Jones

Rodney & Margaret LaMothe

Jane Lee

Judith A. Lindquist

Mr. Matthew J. Maggi

Mrs. Nicole Marshall-Ebersole

Mrs. Julie A. McClure

P. Alan McDermott

Douglas & Nina McKenna

Mr. Alvin Meyer

Kathy & Bill Migneron

Richard & Anne Morse

Andrea Norris & Tom Beisecker

Mark & Lynne O’Connell

Dr. & Mrs. Jorge Paradelo

Ms. Maggie Presson

Michael & Usha Rafferty

Edward & Charlotte Ronan

Brian & Dian Steele

Christopher L. Sweeney

James H. Taylor

Mr. Robert D. Trapp

Daniel L. Turner & Carol Dziadik Turner

Sandra Vogel

Mr. Hal vonBohnhoff

Thomas Whalen

Robert Wilshire & Anne McDonald

Collin M. Woroniak

Mrs. Barbara Weary

Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Yarnevich

INSITUTIONAL GIVING

Lyric Opera of Kansas City extends its deepest appreciation to the foundations, corporations, organizations, and government entities that help support the Company’s productions and programs. We recognize annual giving to the Company and Lyric Opera Ball of $250 or more received between March 1, 2023-March 15, 2024

*Includes contributions to Lyric Opera Ball +Includes giving to the Special Gifts Campaign

OPERA PRESENTING SPONSORS:

LYRIC OPERA UNDERWRITERS

($100,000+)

E. Kemper Carter & Ann Curry

Community Memorial Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee

Hall Family Foundation

Missouri Arts Council

Muriel I. Kauffman Fund for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Lyric Opera Circle

Lyric Opera of Kansas City Foundation Endowment Fund

Lyric Opera of Kansas City –

Our Next Act Endowment

Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation

Sherman Family Foundation

The Sunderland Foundation

RICHARD J. STERN SOCIETY ($50,000 - $99,999)

Victor E. and Caroline E. Schutte Foundation

Theater League

MAESTRO’S CIRCLE ($25,000 - $49,999)

Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee

Francis Family Foundation

Hallmark Corporate Foundation

J.B. Reynolds Foundation*

Lyric Opera of Kansas City - William

Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund

National Endowment for the Arts

Pemberton Family Charitable Foundation

Walz Tetrick Advertising*

William T. Kemper FoundationCommerce Bank Trust

BEL CANTO ($10,000 - $24,999)

Cyr Family Charitable Remainder Trust

EPR Properties+

Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation

H & R Block Foundation

Merriman Foundation*+

Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund

Saint Luke’s Health System

The Sosland Foundation

John W. and Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust, Bank of America, n.a., Trustee

Jack F. & Glenna Y. Wylie Charitable Foundation - Midwest Trust*

IMPRESARIO

($5,000 - $9,999)

Anonymous*

Elsberry Family Foundation*

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation*

Halls Kansas City*

High Touch Inc*

Lyric Opera of Kansas City FoundationPolsky Fund

The Mader Foundation

Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm

Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation

CORPORATE & COMMUNITY COUNCIL

($2,500 - $4,999)

Burch & Company

Commerce Bank, n.a.*

DeBruce Foundation*

INSITUTIONAL GIVING CONT.

JE Dunn Construction Company*

Husch Blackwell LLP*

R.A. Long Foundation

Merrill Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Orpheus KC*

RC Williams Company*

RubinBrown LLP*

CORPORATE & COMMUNITY SPONSORS ($250 - $2,499)

Vernon & Trish Podlasek, Cuorebella

The Independent*

Kansas City Ballet*

Kitchens by Klewono*

JoAnn Meierhoff Charitable Foundation

Sanofi-Aventis*

Louis and Frances Swinken Supporting Foundation

The Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Enrichment Fund

The Trudy Foundation

TruPay

UMB Financial Corporation*

Uncover KC

THE SHINING RECORDING

Lyric Opera is proud to have created the first-ever recording of Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s The Shining. We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals and foundations for support that made this project possible.

$10,000+

Adelphi University

Thomas & Mary Beth Butch

ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. & Mrs. Ivan Batlle

Alicia & John Beck

Mark T. Benedict & Dr. Kim Mongeau

Randy & Edie Downing

Tony & Meredith Durone

Richard & Lauren English

Michael D. Fields

Ms. Lisa Flynn

Mr. & Mrs. Lafayette J. Ford III

Marilyn A. W. & Norman E Gaar, Esq.

Trudy & Jack Gabriel

Kurt & Linnell Gretzinger

Ms. Lisa Merrill Hickok

John & Sharon Hoffman

Niles & Lindsay Jager

Mr. & Mrs. William Kort

Mary Leonida

Kemper Family Foundation

Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts

Julia & Greg Malter

Paul Moravec

Martin & Lucy Murray

Michael Phillips

Dr. & Mrs. Tim Pluard

Michelle & Chuck Ritter

Deborah Sandler & Crosby Kemper

Ms. Elizabeth A. Schellhorn

Linda S. Stevens

Shruti Tejwani

Ty Trieu

Ms. Connie Walker

Jeffrey & Alisha Walker

Doug P. Wells

Marian Wood

In Memory of Elvira E. Calhoun

Marilyn Cox

In Memory of Clarabelle Belcher Corson

Marilyn Cox

In Memory of Marge Hubbard

Lyric Opera Guild

In Memory of Mary Ellen Purucker

Jill Ingram Reynolds

Lyric Opera Circle

Jeannette & Scott Redick

In Memory of Dr. Wes Sandness

Saddle & Sirloin Club

In Memory of Jean Van Stallings

Lyric Opera Guild

In Honor of Steve and Linda Taylor

Michael & Julie Kirk

In Memory of Judy L. King

Annette Fibuch

Friends of the Kansas City, MO Mounted Patrol

Jeannette & Scott Redick

Jill Ingram Reynolds

Dorene Shipley

Julia K. Muller and Earl Shreckengast

The Lyric Opera planned giving program allows you to share the gift of opera with future audiences and create a legacy of your own. Through the Encore Society, you support programs you are passionate about and receive tax benefits for yourself and your estate.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Mrs. Madeline Benoit*

Mrs. Jacqueline Coen*

Mr. & Mrs. Bernard D. Craig

Dr. Morton C. Creditor* & Mrs. Una Creditor

Mr. & Mrs. Don Dagenais

Mrs. Carolyn Dayani

Mrs. Ann K. Dickinson

Dr. Fred D. Fowler*

Mrs. Caroline French*

Mr. & Mrs. Keith Gard

Mr. & Mrs. Joe A. Harter

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen H. Hill

Joyce G. Holland

Mrs. Beth Ingram

Mr. & Mrs. H. Elvin Knight, Jr.

Dr. Revis Lewis*

Mr. Jack May & Dr. Rosalie Pompushko

Mr. & Mrs. Joe Miller

Mrs. Vivian Menees Nelson*

Mr. & Mrs. L. Joshua Sosland

Mrs. Alice Statland & Dr. Harry Statland*

Mrs. Carol Tinsman & Mr. C. Humbert Tinsman*

Ms. Julie Holmquist

Mr. Hal vonBohnhoff

Dwight Youngman

CHARTER MEMBERS

Mr. Bob Baughman*

Mrs. Carolyn Gordanier

Mr. & Mrs. John Grow

Gary D. Harms

John Kander

Elizabeth Liftin*

Virginia M. Long

Ann T. Reed

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Rosenfield

Lisa Sicola

Mr. J. Michael Sigler

Mr. John J. Strandberg*

Mr. Thomas Sotham*

Dr. Wilma B. Wilcox

Ms. Paula Winans

Mr. & Mrs. Jonah Wright

LEGACY MEMBERS

Carolyn Banta

Matt & Kate Beem

Jerry & Meghan Carpenter

Craig & Dawn Evans

Dr. Michael Frost

Hilda Gibbs Trust Fund – Rae Ann DeVargas Trustee*

Ken & Marilyn Hager

Mr. Richard Hill*

Lothar P. Kraus*

Dr. Melinda Estes & Dr. Harold Morris

Mr. & Mrs. Doyle Patterson*

Steve & Linda Taylor

Thomas & Loren Whittaker

Annie Zinn*

THE SHINING WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING

Now available for purchase and streaming!

Learn more at kcopera.org/the-shining-recording, or scan the QR code.

Celebrating 60 years of transformative theatre with a season featuring an exciting mix of crowd-pleasing and riveting new plays and musicals.

Freely Adapted by Martin Crimp

Directed by Associate Artistic Director

Nelson T. Eusebio III

SEP 5 - SEP 24

Spencer TheaTre

Lead Sponsor:

Written by Heidi Schreck

Directed by Amy Anders Corcoran

OCT 24 -NOV 12

copaken STage

Written by Christina Ham

Directed by Malkia Stampley

Co-Produced with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre

FEB 13 - MAR 3

copaken STage

Lead Sponsor:

Book & Lyrics by Howard Ashman

Music by Alan Menken

Directed by Artistic Director

Stuart Carden

APR 30 - MAY 19

Spencer TheaTre

Come CELEBRATE with us! For tickets, play descriptions, and more, visit KCRep.org or call our Box Office at 816.235.2700.

welfare • scienti c appraisal

• Residential Security Maps

• redlining • Federal Housing Administration (FHA) • homeownership • investment risk

• government drive

• Better Housing Campaign

• Underwriting Manual

• special hazard • adverse in uence • White Flight • racial turnover • invisible lines • blockbusting • Urban Land Institute • decentralization • expandable income • American Dream • suburbanites • postwar • large-scale • G. I. Bill • Veterans Administration • Black veterans • exploitative terms • installment contracts • overcrowding • dilapidated • race tax • Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka • integration • neighborhood attendance zones • school boundaries • school segregation

• urban spaces • racial steering • property values • east of Troost • urban renewal • demolition • slum clearance • highway construction

• blighted areas • bulldozer’s path • public housing projects • Shelly v. Kraemer • all deliberate speed • Civil Rights Movement • demonstrations • grassroots • libuster • Civil Rights Act • Voting Rights Act • rising inequality • the Great Society • War on Poverty • Model Cities • systemic • disinvestment • uprisings • Fair Housing Act • racial equality Kerner Commission • ghetto system • Proposition 14 • freedom of choice • Good Neighbor Pledge • straw buyers • panic selling • property taxes

• Jenkins v. Missouri

• Section 235

• HUD • rehabilitate • predatory inclusion • foreclosure • Urban Crisis • triage • planned shrinkage

• empty lots

• subprime mortgages • loan denial

• Gentri cation

• a ordability

• public transportation • commutes

• not welcome

• racialization • isolation • War on Drugs • inequity • tree cover • temperatures • green spaces • pollution • food deserts • social vulnerability • life expectancy • lending institutions • generational wealth • Investment Zone • citizen-led • reparations • Community Involvement • resilience • complex • previously redlined communities • Civil War • Jim Crow • Reconstruction • threats • violence

• sharecroppers

• segregation

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• separate but equal

• Great Migration

• cityscape

• racial boundaries

• lynched

• racial violence

• bombings

• The Progressives

• stereotypes

• Streetcar Suburbs

• National Association of Real Estate Boards

• The New Suburbs

• Jesse Clyde “J.C.” Nichols

• community builders

• deed restrictions

• racially restrictive covenants

• homes association

• renewing restrictions

• improvement associations

• federal intervention

• The Great Depression

• Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) • the New Deal

REDLINED

• amortized loans • equity • social welfare

• scienti c appraisal • Residential Security Maps

• redlining • Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

• homeownership • investment risk

• government drive

• Better Housing Campaign

• Underwriting Manual

• special hazard

• adverse in uence

• White Flight • racial turnover • invisible lines • blockbusting • Urban Land Institute

• decentralization

• expendable income

• American Dream • suburbanites • postwar • large-scale • G. I. Bill • Veterans Administration

• Black veterans

• exploitative terms

• installment contracts

• overcrowding

• dilapidated • race tax

• Brown Board of Education of Topeka

• integration

• neighborhood attendance zones

• school boundaries

• school segregation

• urban spaces

• racial steering

• property values

• east of Troost

• urban renewal

• demolition

• slum clearance

• highway construction

• blighted areas

• bulldozer’s path

• CITIES

• SUBURBS • SEGREGATION • Shelly v. Kraemer • all deliberate speed • Civil Rights Movement • demonstrations • grassroots • libuster • Civil Rights Act

• the Great Society • War on Poverty • Model Cities • systemic • disinvestment • uprisings • Fair Housing Act • racial equality • Kerner Commission

• ghetto system

• Proposition 14

• freedom of choice

• Good Neighbor Pledge

• straw buyers

• panic selling

• property taxes

• Jenkins v. Missouri

• Section 235

• HUD

• rehabilitate

• predatory inclusion

• foreclosure

• Urban Crisis

• triage

• planned shrinkage

• empty lots

• subprime mortgages

• loan denial • Gentri cation

• a ordability

• public transportation

• commutes • not welcome

• racialization

• isolation • War on Drugs

• inequity

• tree cover • temperatures • green spaces • pollution • food deserts • social vulnerability

• life expectancy • lending institutions • generational wealth

• Investment Zone

• citizen-led • reparations

Winner of six national, state, and local awards

• Community Involvement

• resilience • complex • previously redlined communities

• Civil War • Jim Crow • Reconstruction • threats • violence

• sharecroppers

• segregation • Plessy v. Ferguson

• separate but equal

• Great Migration

• cityscape

• racial boundaries

• lynched • racial violence

• bombings

• The Progressives

• stereotypes

• Streetcar Suburbs

• National Association of Real Estate Boards

• The New Suburbs

• Jesse Clyde “J.C.” Nichols

• community builders

• deed restrictions

• racially restrictive covenants

• homes association

• renewing restrictions

• federal intervention

• The Great Depression

• Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC)

• the New Deal

• equity

• social welfare

• scienti c appraisal

• Residential Security Maps

• improvement associations

• investment risk

• government drive

• redlining

• Better Housing Campaign

• Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

• amortized loans

• homeownership

• White Flight

Book now available at the Museum Store and local libraries. Learn more and support the future of this important exhibit at JCPRD.com/REDLINED!

• Underwriting Manual

• special hazard

• adverse uence

• racial turnover

• invisible lines

• blockbusting

• Urban Land Institute

• decentralization

• expandable income

• American Dream

• suburbanites

• postwar

• large-scale

•

G. I. Bill

• Veterans Administration

• Black veterans

• exploitative terms

• installment contracts

• overcrowding

• dilapidated

• race tax

• Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

• integration

• neighborhood attendance zones

• urban renewal

• school boundaries

• school segregation

• urban spaces

• racial steering

• property values

• east of Troost

• demolition

• slum clearance

• highway construction

• blighted areas

• bulldozer’s path

• public housing

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APPRENTICE ARTIST PROGRAM

Lyric Opera’s Apprentice Artist Program gives university vocal students the opportunity to gain valuable experience and training on their way to becoming professional opera singers. Throughout the season, our Apprentice Artists gain practical career experience working alongside the industry’s most notable singers, conductors, and directors. Learn more about our artist development programs at kcopera.org/learning.

ALEXIS MERRY (Soprano)

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Alexis Merry returns as a second-year Lyric Opera of Kansas City Artist Apprentice. Recent roles include Anna Maurrant (Street Scene) and Countess Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro) at Varna International, Mrs. Zegner (Proving Up) and Galatea (Handel’s Acis and Galatea) with University of Missouri-Kansas City, Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus) and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) with Pepperdine University. Merry has participated in masterclasses with Jake Heggie, William Bolcom, and Stephanie Blythe. Merry holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Pepperdine University and a master’s degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Merry is currently seeking an artist certificate at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

DEANNA RAY EBERHART (Mezzo-Soprano)

University of Kansas

Mezzo-soprano Deanna Ray Eberhart is a second-year Lyric Opera of Kansas City Apprentice Artist. Previous roles include Alidora (Cinderella), Little Buttercup (H.M.S. Pinafore), La Zia Principessa (Suor Angelica), Clorinda (Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda), and Arsamene (Serse). Upcoming roles include Gertrude (Roméo et Juliette). Eberhart is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and received her bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Northern Iowa where she studied with Dr. Jean McDonald. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Voice Performance at The University of Kansas under the direction of Joyce Castle and Dr. Genaro Mendez.

ANGELO SILVA (Tenor)

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Tenor Angelo Silva’s recent engagements include Miles in Missy Mazzoli’s Proving Up and the Conservatory Singers Choir Ensemble at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Upcoming roles include Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi) with Amarillo Opera in 2024. Silva holds a bachelor’s degree in applied voice from Pepperdine University and is currently seeking a master’s degree in voice performance at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

RILEY FINDLEY (Baritone)

William Jewell College

Baritone Riley Findley’s recent roles include Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi) with Opera Lucca, James Mills (The House Without a Christmas Tree) and Albert (Werther) with William Jewell College. Notable roles include Sam (Trouble in Tahiti), Peter Quince (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Melisso (Alcina). Findley holds a bachelor’s degree in music from William Jewell College where he is currently obtaining an artist performance certificate. Findley plans to continue graduate study in voice performance at Indiana University.

The KANSAS CITY ROSE SOCIETY offers:

A FREE, World-Class Rose Garden in Loose Park Affordable Memberships

• A Network of Gardening Enthusiasts

Annual Rose Show

• Rose Care & Tips

• Seasonal Garden Parties

love is a rose program

Have a rose bush planted and dedicated to your loved one! A truly unique gift or memorial.

kansascityrosesociety.org

“The

We invite you to experience the transformative power of dance, music and theatre at the UMKC Conservatory.

"The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art."

- John Lasseter

At ECCO Select, our people combine art and technology for extraordinary client experience.

We offer specialized talent and technology solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.

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Phone: (816) 471-7344

Email: patronservices@kcopera.org

Mail: Lyric Opera Patron Services, 1725 Holmes St., KCMO 64108

Regular Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Weekend Performance Day Hours (mainstage only): For performance weekend hours, please visit kcopera.org.

Ticketing & Patron Services representatives are available at the Kauffman Center box office beginning 90 minutes before every performance and through the first intermission.

GROUP TICKETS

BRING A GROUP TO THE OPERA!

Group orders of 10 or more seats receive up to a 25% off discount, subject to standard facility fees. To book your group today and learn about options to amplify the experience, call Ticketing & Patron Services at (816) 471-7344 or visit kcopera.org/groups.

OPEN YOUR WORLD.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

The Kauffman Center is equipped with advanced life-safety early alert systems. Each performance hall is designed with emergency exits in case of an evacuation. In the event of severe weather, shelter in place inside the hall, not in a lobby area, and await further instructions.

In the event of an emergency, the performance will be interrupted. Horns and strobes will sound. Emergency instructions will be delivered from the stage. Please remain seated as staff use an appropriate amount of investigational time to verify the source of the alarm.* Should an evacuation be necessary, lighted red (Muriel Kauffman Theatre) and green (Helzberg Hall) exit signs will lead patrons to one of eight emergency exit paths.

Patrons with mobility limitations and/or those who are not able to navigate stairs should remain in the venue near one of the marked “Emergency Evacuation Assistance” areas. First responders will evacuate those requiring assistance immediately upon their arrival.

Elevators, primary entrances and the Brandmeyer Great Hall staircase are NOT used in the case of an emergency evacuation.

For more information on emergency evacuation procedures, visit kauffmancenter.org/policies

*Kauffman Center’s emergency egress plan, which includes an appropriate amount of investigational time to verify the source of an alarm, was developed with the assistance of the Kansas City, MO Fire Marshall’s Office.

When Stanislav loudenitch first started the Park International Center for Music, he began with a simple concept. Find exceptional music teachers, and give them the time, tools, focus, and dedication needed to transform exceptional students into masters themselves. An internationally-recognized Van Cliburn gold medalist, Ioudenitch assembled a team that shared his world-class skills and his passion for teaching. Other outstanding programs have great master instructors. But no other American conservatory lets those masters devote the time to their students like they do at Park ICM. Not even storied programs like Juilliard, Curtis, or Eastman.

Come experience the birth of our international stars. Visit ICM.PARK.EDU for our concert schedule today.

“These featured soloists from Park University’s International Center for Music represent not only the quality of performance in Kansas City, but the future of it, too.”

– THE KANSAS CITY STAR

The Lyric Opera Circle thanks you for making the 2024 Ball a great success!

April 20, 2024

Kansas City Marriott Downtown Muehlebach Tower

kcopera.org

GRAB YOUR SEATS.

PURCHASE A SUBSCRIPTION TODAY AND RECEIVE 20% OFF THE SINGLE TICKET PRICE. You’ll also guarantee your seats for all the shows before tickets go on sale to the general public, receive 20% off any additional single tickets, and enjoy free ticket exchanges.

You can purchase online at kcopera.org/subscribe or by calling Ticketing and Patron Services at (816) 471-7344.

LYRIC OPERA STAFF

LEADERSHIP

Deborah Sandler Kemper, General Director and CEO

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Jeffrey Walker, Chief Financial Officer

Danny Boteler, Controller

Amy Tungol, HR & Payroll Specialist

Melissa Roberts, Executive Assistant & Board Liaison

ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION

Brad Trexell, Director of Artistic Administration

Piotr Wiśniewski, Head of Music Staff & Chorus Master

Michaela Martens, Resident Artist Voice Teacher

LEARNING

Neal Long, Director of Learning

Emily Bridges, Manager of Learning

PRODUCTION

Tracy Davis-Singh, Director of Production

Brad Kanouse, Technical Director

Sarah Zsohar, Artist Services Manager

Rafael Toribio, Associate Technical Director

DEVELOPMENT

Edward Sien, Chief Development Officer

Rebecca Ballinger Clark, Manager of Institutional Giving

Laurie Eck, Manager of Development Operations & Donor Research

Molly Fisher, Senior Manager of Individual Giving & Partnerships

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Gregory Campbell, Director of Marketing & Communications

Amanda Schuster, Senior Manager of Ticketing & Patron Services

Beth Wamsley, Marketing Operations & Social Media Manager

Enrique Zabala, Graphic Design Specialist

Emily Stott, Assistant Manager of Ticketing and Patron Services

Ellen McDonald, Publicity Consultant

Ticketing & Patron Services Representatives: Jeff Borrett, Madeline Cain, Catherine Cone, Aimee McCormack, Josephine Meyers, Jonathon Moldovan, Dennis Pearson, Brianna Volkmann

LEGAL COUNSEL

Wade Kerrigan, Husch Blackwell, LLP, General Counsel

At City Year we help our students navigate unchartered waters and face perilous challenges, like fractions, so they too can find success in their journey.

Congratulations to the cast and crew on another successful production!

LEARN MORE

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