A NOTE FROM DEBORAH SANDLER KEMPER
Welcome to Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, a poignant and touching multigenerational family story brought to life through the sound of mariachi. In this country, most of us have our own immigrant story to share. Latino communities have long been part of our shared Kansas City community. Starting in 1830, when trade opened between Mexico and the United States via the Santa Fe Trail, a new corridor for Mexican immigration was created.
This connection grew in the early twentieth century when rail companies recruited Mexican workers. The upheavals of the World Wars and the Great Depression brought more workers here via the Bracero Program. As the twentieth century progressed, more immigrants arrived from Central and South America. We are honored to have an opportunity to share this work with you.
We also launch the 2025–2026 season this weekend, featuring the Lyric’s return to FOUR fully staged operas for our Kansas City community. This would not be possible without the generous support of our donors. If you are a subscriber, please renew your subscription early. Every subscription sold is an investment in Lyric Opera. If you are not a subscriber, consider purchasing now and deepening your connection to our beloved art form.
Thank you so much for believing in the value of opera in our community and continuing to support our mission.
Deborah Sandler Kemper, General Director and CEO
UN MENSAJE DE DEBORAH SANDLER KEMPER
Bienvenidos a Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, una conmovedora historia familiar multigeneracional que cobra vida a través del sonido del mariachi. En este país, la mayoría de nosotros tenemos nuestra propia historia de inmigrantes que compartir. Las comunidades latinas forman parte de nuestra comunidad de Kansas City desde hace mucho tiempo. A partir de 1830, cuando se abrió el comercio entre México y Estados Unidos a través del Santa Fe Trail, se creó un nuevo camino para la inmigración mexicana.
Esta conexión creció a principios del siglo XX, cuando las compañías de ferrocarriles contrataron a trabajadores mexicanos. Los trastornos de las guerras mundiales y la gran depresión trajeron más trabajadores a través del programa bracero. A medida que avanzaba el siglo XX, llegaron más inmigrantes de centro y sudamérica. Es nuestro honor tener la oportunidad de compartir este trabajo con ustedes.
Este fin de semana también iniciamos la temporada 2025-2026, con el regreso del Lyric a CUATRO óperas puestas en escena para nuestra comunidad de Kansas City. Esto no sería posible sin el generoso apoyo de nuestros donantes. Si es usted suscriptor, le pedimos que renueve pronto su suscripción. Cada suscripción es una inversión en la Lyric Opera. Si no es suscriptor aun, considere la posibilidad de serlo ahora y de así profundizar su conexión con esta querida forma de arte.
Muchas gracias por creer en el valor de la ópera en nuestra comunidad y seguir apoyando nuestra misión.
Deborah Sandler Kemper, Directora General y CEO
“One of America’s boldest smaller companies...sending psychic shivers into the hot summer night.”
THE NEW YORKER
2025 FESTIVAL SEASON
JUNE 27 - JULY 20
WAGNER THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
JANÁČEK THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN STRAVINSKY THE RAKE’S
PROGRESS
For tickets, visit DMMO.ORG or call (515) 209-3257
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Lyric Opera of Kansas City program guides are a publication of the Performing Arts Division of The Independent magazine. Information in this publication was carefully compiled to ensure accuracy. However, the publisher does not assume responsibility for accuracy. Editorial program content was provided by the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Copyright by The Independent magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR ADULTS
Community Conversations
This free event series 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, featuring live music and stimulating conversation. No prior opera knowledge necessary!
Opera Dives Deep
This free series provides audiences with 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 discoveries.
Pre-Opera Talks
Do you have tickets to see an opera at the Kauffman Center? Come fifty minutes early to learn about the who, what, where, when, and why of the production you’re about to see.
FOR SCHOOLS
Lyric Opera offers several comprehensive educational experiences in which students in grades K–12 and their teachers are invited to unlock the potential of opera through a variety of programs deliverable in schools or community spaces. The 2024–2025 programs include:
• The Haberdasher Prince—a touring opera for elementary schools
• Narrative Storytelling Workshop an interactive recital for secondary schools
• Student Dress Rehearsals an opportunity for school groups to attend the final dress rehearsal of our mainstage operas
FOR FAMILIES
Maya and the Magic Ring
In this new opera for families, a young girl named Maya discovers a dazzling ruby ring in her grandmother’s belongings. She rubs the jewel and accidentally releases a genie, leading to chaos. Realizing she is in a pickle, Maya must choose her final wish carefully. Join Lyric Opera of Kansas City for this hilarious story of family and magic, touring Kansas City community spaces where families gather in March and April 2025.
Visit kcopera.org/learning to view our entire menu of programs, learn more, and register.
Resident Artists are chosen by national audition. The program bridges graduate training to professional careers by providing performance opportunities, coaching, and career training.
BETHANY JELINEK (Soprano)
Bethany Jelinek, soprano, is a passionate performer and a dynamic competitor from Dallas, TX. In 2024, Jelinek was a semifinalist in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and was a finalist in the inaugural Heartland Sings Vocal Competition. She was awarded the 2023 Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award from the Dallas Opera Guild Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition, the 2022 Roy and Sue Johnson Opera Theatre Award, and the 2021 Thomas Hayward Memorial Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Singer at Southern Methodist University where she received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in vocal performance. Recent credits include Micaëla (Carmen), Female Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia), Abigail Williams (The Crucible), and Fiordiligi (Cosí fan tutte).
VIRGINIA REED (Mezzo-Soprano)
New York native, Virginia Reed was a recent finalist in the Southeast Region of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. Versed in lyric repertoire, recent roles include Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), the title role in La Cenerentola, Sesto (La clemenza di Tito), Olga (Eugene Onegin) and Der Komponist (Ariadne auf Naxos). Reed was a scholarship recipient in the 2022 3rd Internationale Opernwerkstatt Waiblingen, performing with the Wurttemberg Philharmonic under Maestro Vlad Iftinca. She has worked as a Young Artist with Wolf Trap Opera, Central City Opera, and Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center. Reed is a champion of concert and oratorio work, having performed as a choral artist with the Oratorio Society of New York at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Avery Fisher Hall, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
JAEMYEONG LEE (Tenor)
Tenor Jaemyeong Lee, a native of South Korea, graduated in 2024 with a Performer Diploma and Artist Diploma in Voice Performance with Performance Fellowship at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with Carol Vaness, Kevin Murphy, and Gary Arvin. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Voice Performance from Seoul National University as a student of Yonghoon Lee.
Lee performed the role of Don Basilio (Le nozze di Figaro) at Aspen Music Festival in Summer, 2024. Lee has also been a Young Artist at Summer Opera Tel Aviv. Other credits include Roméo (Roméo et Juliette), Ruggero (La rondine), Rodolfo (La bohème), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore), and Ferrando (Cosí fan tutte). Recent soloist concert work includes Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and Verdi’s Requiem.
JA Z Z
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SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
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JABU GRAYBEAL AN EVENING WITH
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RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAM CONT.
ALEX SMITH (Baritone)
Baritone Alex Smith received his Master of Music in Voice from the Yale School of Music in the spring of 2024, under Adriana Zabala. He received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with Lorraine Manz. During his time at Yale, Mr. Smith performed the roles of Musiklehrer (Ariadne auf Naxos), Junius (The Rape of Lucretia), Raimbaud (Le comte Ory), Father Trulove (The Rake’s Progress), and Marco (Gianni Schicchi). In the summer of 2023, he attended The Glimmerglass Festival as a Young Artist where he performed in the chorus of La bohème and Roméo et Juliette, in addition to covering roles in Roméo et Juliette
MATTEO GENERANI (Coach-Accompanist)
Matteo Generani is an acclaimed Italian pianist, recognized for winning several competitions such as the Villa Oliva National Piano Competition (Italy, 2018), White Lake Young Artist Solo Performance (Michigan, USA, 2019), and Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra Piano and Orchestra Competition (Missouri, USA, 2020). He performs across Europe and the United States, both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. Matteo co-founded the Medhelan Duo with violinist/violist Doriano Di Domenico and the Neo-Art Piano Duo with pianist Regina Tanujaya. In May 2020, he premiered and recorded the complete set of Études Op. 23 by Giovanni Albini. He looks forward to a CD and streaming release of his recording of piano works by Giuseppe Martucci, slated for December 2024 on the Naxos label. Matteo also serves as the festival coordinator and assistant to the artistic director of the Piano Lieven Foundation, and as co-artistic director of Classical Music Express.
The Haberdasher Prince photo by Andrew Schwartz for Lyric Opera of Kansas City
There
A Mariachi Opera
Music by José “Pepe” Martínez | Lyrics by José “Pepe” Martínez and Leonard Foglia | Book by Leonard Foglia
PRINCIPAL CAST
Laurentino
Renata
Lupita
Chucho
Mark
Diana Rafael Victor
Young Rafael Supernumeraries
Octavio Moreno*
Cecilia Duarte*
Vanessa Alonzo*
Miguel De Aranda*
Federico De Michelis*
Bethany Jelinek*^
Daniel Montenegro
Freddy Acevedo*
Michael Terreros*
Erin Klubek, Ernesto Suárez
*Lyric Opera Debut ^Lyric Opera Resident Artist
Cruzar la Cara de la Luna was commissioned by Houston Grand Opera and premiered at Houston Grand Opera in November 2010.
Presented in Spanish and English with English and Spanish titles projected above the stage.
Running time: One and a half hours with no intermission
SPONSORED BY:
This project is made possible by public support from the State of Missouri and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.
Titles written by Leonard Foglia
Mariachi Los Camperos Courtesy of J. Guzman Entertainment Corporation
Stage crew provided by IATSE Local 31
Wardrobe crew provided by The Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 810
The Pre-Opera Talk speaker for Cruzar la Cara de la Luna is Edgar J. Palacios.
Welcome remarks by Deborah Sandler Kemper, General Director and CEO, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Soileh Padilla Mayer, Head Consul, Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City. The world premiere was supported, in part, by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Chevron (Presenting Sponsors), and American Express, Bank of America, Gruma, and The Humphreys Foundation (Leadership Sponsors). Premiere performances were part of “Houston Celebrates Mexico 2010,” supported, in part, by Bank of America in association with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate General of Mexico.
Thank you to Robert Roth, VP of Live Entertainment at 4 Wall Entertainment.
CREATIVE TEAM
CONDUCTOR
DIRECTOR
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHER
COSTUME DESIGNER
LIGHTING DESIGNER
ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGNER
SOUND DESIGNER
WIG AND MAKE-UP DESIGNER
REHEARSAL ACCOMPANISTS
LIGHTING SUPERVISOR
PROPS SUPERVISOR
COSTUME COORDINATOR
WIG AND MAKE-UP CREW
STAGE MANAGER
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
HEAD CARPENTER
HEAD PROPSMAN
HEAD ELECTRICIAN
HEAD FLYMAN
HEAD SOUND ENGINEER
WARDROBE SUPERVISOR
WARDROBE ASSISTANT
*Lyric Opera Debut
Blair Salter*
Leonard Foglia
Beth Krynicki*
Keturah Stickann*
César Galindo*
Brian Nason*
Luamar Kaijaki*
John Story
David Zimmerman
Matteo Generani, Piotr Wiśniewski
Selena Gonzalez-Lopez
Gavin Merrill
Nancy Robinson
Blaine Shepherd, Katie Wasicko
Alayna Powell
Zoe Steenwyk, Jess Tibboles
Kyle Deckman
Steve Cochran
Dan McMahan
Evan Suellentrop
Grant Conrad
Desiree Baird Story
Amanda McCarty
MARIACHI LOS CAMPEROS
Jesús Guzmán, Music Director
GUITAR
Ali Pizarro
GUITARRÓN
Nathan García
HARP
Sergio Alonso
TRUMPET
Jesús Guzmán
Jesús Becerra
Brandon Gonzalez
VIHUELA
Mario Hernandez
VIOLIN
Raul Cuellar
Antonio Gúzman
Alfredo Gomez
Moises Vázquez
Ramon Piña
Erik Gonzalez
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
By/Por Leonard Foglia – Librettist/Director
Where is home? Is it where we are born? Or where we live most of our lives? Is it with the family we leave behind or with the new ones we create?
To Cross the Face of the Moon follows three generations of a single family, divided by countries and cultures.
As a Mexican American man deals with the approaching death of his father, he is forced to face these questions about his own place in the world—straddling two cultures—as well as that of his immigrant father and his American daughter. As long-buried secrets are revealed, he finds himself dramatically re-evaluating his own understanding of what makes a family.
Like the Monarch butterflies that migrate every year to the birthplace of his father, the members of the Velásquez family must travel both physically and spiritually between Michoacán and Texas and look deep into their hearts before they learn where they truly belong.
¿En dónde se encuentra el hogar de uno? ¿Es donde nacimos? ¿O donde hemos vivido la mayor parte de nuestras vidas? ¿Es con la familia que dejamos atrás, o con las nuevas familias que formamos?
Cruzar la Cara de la Luna es la crónica de tres generaciones de una familia dividida por dos países diferentes y sus culturas.
Mientras un mexicano americano se enfrenta al inminente deceso de su padre, se ve forzado a enfrentar estas preguntas acerca de su propia existencia y el lugar que ocupa en el mundo—viviendo entre dos culturas—tanto la de su padre inmigrante, como la de su hija estadounidense. Al revelarse secretos que habían sido guardados durante mucho tiempo, se encuentra a sí mismo re-evaluando lo que significa para él el concepto de familia.
Así como las mariposas Monarca migran anualmente a la tierra de sus padres, también los miembros de la familia Velásquez deben viajar física y espiritualmente entre Michoacán y Texas; de igual manera llevan a cabo una profunda introspección en su corazón para saber el lugar al que realmente pertenecen.
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ARTISTS
OCTAVIO MORENO
LAURENTINO
Recent
Laurentino, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Opera San Antonio
Guest Artist, Concert in the Park, Opera Idaho
Escamillo, Carmen, Opera Southwest
Upcoming
Guest Artist, Celebración Latina, Opera Las Vegas
Baritone Soloist, Carmina Burana, Tucson Symphony Orchestra General Moncada, Zorro, Arizona Opera
CECILIA DUARTE RENATA
Recent
Alto Soloist, Boston Early Music Festival: Jepthe, Sendesaal Bremen Alto Soloist, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
Upcoming
Irene, Theodora, Ars Lyrica Houston Renata, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Amarillo Opera Alto Soloist, Bach & Telemann: Cantatas and a Concerto, Seattle Bach Festival
VANESSA ALONZO
LUPITA
Recent
Juana, El Pasado Nunca se Termina, Fort Worth Opera
Lupita, El Milagro del Recuerdo, San Diego Opera
Vocalist, Día de los Muertos, South Bend Symphony Orchestra
Lupita, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Opera San Antonio
Upcoming
Lupita, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Amarillo Opera
MIGUEL DE ARANDA CHUCHO
Recent
Chucho, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Houston Grand Opera
Chucho, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, El Paso Opera
Chucho, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Opera San Antonio
Chucho, El Milagro del Recuerdo, Houston Grand Opera
Upcoming
Chucho, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Amarillo Opera
FEDERICO DE MICHELIS MARK
Recent
Colline, La bohème, Houston Grand Opera
Imperial Commissioner, Madame Butterfly, Houston Grand Opera
Laurentino, El Milagro del Recuerdo, San Diego Opera
Maestro, Ainadamar, The Metropolitan Opera
Baritone Soloist, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, San Antonio Philharmonic
Upcoming
Mark, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Amarillo Opera
ARTISTS CONT.
BETHANY JELINEK
DIANA
Recent
Querulous String, The Haberdasher Prince, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Micaëla, Carmen, Western Plains Opera
Upcoming
Maya, Maya and the Magic Ring, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Soprano Soloist, Becoming a Redwood: The Songs of Lori Laitman and Dana Gioia, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
DANIEL MONTENEGRO
RAFAEL
Recent Chucho, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Minnesota Opera
Alfredo, La traviata, Lyric Opera Kansas City
Duke, Rigoletto, Nashville Opera
Upcoming
Soloist, Opera Pops Concert, Spanish River Orchestra
Rafael, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Amarillo Opera
Pong, Turandot, Minnesota Orchestra
FREDDY ACEVEDO VICTOR
Recent
Danny, Día y Noche, LAByrinth Theater Company Oscar, twenty50, TheatreSquared Sebastian, Twelfth Night, Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Rafael, Clyde’s, Unicorn Theatre
Jack, Jack and the Bean Magico, The Coterie Theatre
MICHAEL TERREROS YOUNG RAFAEL
Recent Performer, Take the Stage KC
CREATIVE TEAM
BLAIR SALTER CONDUCTOR
Recent Prompter, La traviata, LA Opera
Music Staff, The Righteous, Santa Fe Opera
Music Staff, Le nozze di Figaro, Lyric Opera of Chicago
Upcoming
Cover Conductor/Pianist, Ainadamar, LA Opera
Principal Coach, Carmen, Wolf Trap Opera
LEONARD FOGLIA DIRECTOR
Recent Director, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Dallas Opera Director, El Milagro del Recuerdo, San Diego Opera Director, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Opera San Antonio
Upcoming Director, Moby-Dick, The Metropolitan Opera
Librettist, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Amarillo Opera Director, Dead ManWalking, San Francisco Opera
BETH KRYNICKI ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Recent
Stage Manager, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Opera San Antonio Assistant Director, El Milagro del Recuerdo, San Diego Opera
Revival Director, El Milagro del Recuerdo, Houston Grand Opera
Upcoming
Director, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Amarillo Opera
Film Coordinator, The Planets: An HD Odyssey, Houston Symphony
CÉSAR GALINDO COSTUME DESIGNER
Recent
Costume Designer, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Houston Grand Opera
Costume Designer, Cinderella, Skylight Music Theatre
Designer, Crescala Collective
Designer, Diane von Furstenburg
BRIAN NASON LIGHTING DESIGNER
Recent
Lighting Designer, West Side Story, Teatro alla Scala
Lighting Designer, It’s a Wonderful Life, Houston Grand Opera
Lighting Designer, Cold Mountain, Santa Fe Opera
Upcoming
Lighting Designer, Tisch Gala, NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Lighting Designer, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Amarillo Opera
Lighting Designer, Dead ManWalking, San Francisco Opera
CREATIVE TEAM CONT.
JOHN STORY SOUND DESIGNER
Recent
Sound Designer, Big Trouble at LittleYalta, Central Standard Theatre
Sound Designer, The Brightness of Light, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Sound Designer, Holidays from the Heart, Quality Hill Playhouse
Upcoming
Sound Designer, Little Women, Music Theatre Heritage Sound Designer, The Adventures of Don Quixote, Bach Aria Soloists
Sound Designer, Book of Days, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre
DAVID ZIMMERMAN
WIG AND MAKE-UP DESIGNER
Recent
Wig and Make-Up Designer, The Righteous, Santa Fe Opera
Wig and Make-Up Designer, The Barber of Seville, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Wig and Make-Up Designer, Orpheus and Eurydice, The Dallas Opera Upcoming
Wig and Make-Up Designer, La bohème, The Dallas Opera
Wig and Make-Up Designer, Turandot, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
KETURAH STICKANN DANCE CHOREOGRAPHER
Recent Director, Samson et Dalila, Opera Colorado Director, La bohème, San Diego Opera Choreographer, Moby-Dick, The Metropolitan Opera
Upcoming
Director, Carmen, Jacobs School of Music Director, Stuck Elevator, Knoxville Opera Director, Ryan Opera Center Scenes Workshop, Lyric Opera of Chicago
MARIACHI LOS CAMPEROS
Los Angeles–based Mariachi Los Camperos’ abundant accolades, including multiple GRAMMY® Awards and nominations and highly-praised performances on premier concert stages such as Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Rady Shell, The Hollywood Bowl, and many more, can easily obscure the fact that its leaders come from humble roots, deep within a mariachi tradition shaped by family and community. The group’s founder, Nati Cano, was a third-generation mariachi musician from the small town of Ahuisculco in the west Mexican state of Jalisco. From 1961 to his death in 2014, he lived his dream, forging his own group from his artistic vision and determination. Over his musical career, he challenged the attitudes that, during his youth in Mexico, led formally trained musical peers to look down on his beloved rural and working-class music. In the United States, he worked against class and racial prejudice that relegated Mexicans and their music to second-class status. In the end, he succeeded both socially and artistically, as borne out by the group’s and his own many honors and performances in prestigious venues across the United States and Mexico.
An essential component of Mariachi Los Camperos’ mission is nurturing future generations’ appreciation of mariachi music. The group actively engages in educating young people about the rich heritage and significance of mariachi music, empowering them to explore Mexican culture and their own musical side. Every year, Mariachi Los Camperos leads multiple workshops that open up the minds of young people to the joys of mariachi. Multiple members of Los Camperos, including Guzmán and Sergio “Checo” Alonso, also hold teaching positions at high schools and colleges, extending their commitment to mariachi music education beyond their activities with the ensemble.
Today, Chuy Guzmán leads the Camperos legacy, providing the vision for its sound and repertoire. He continues Cano’s legacy of teaching the tradition throughout the United States and parts of Latin America. Chuy Guzmán is living his dream, and he is dreaming ever bigger. Looking back on his career, he says, “I’m not going to tell you that the work was easy, but... I feel good about what has happened in my life, in my path as a musician.” Looking ahead, he adds, “There’s still a lot to do... My dream will come to an end when I am gone.”
Cruzar la Cara de la Luna photo by Sarah Shatz for New York City Opera.
MARIACHI AND OPERA
WHAT IS OPERA?
By Makenzie Morgan, Canadian Opera Company
The term “opera” comes from the Italian word for “work” or “piece.” Opera is a form of storytelling that incorporates music, drama, and design. Though its origins date back to ancient Greece, the form of opera we are familiar with today started in the late sixteenth century in Florence, Italy. Many individuals explored trends in the arts, focusing on music and drama, in particular. They were unified in their belief that the arts had become over-embellished and that returning to the transparency of the music of the ancient Greeks, which incorporated speech, song, and a chorus to further the plot and provide commentary on the action, would present a more pure, natural, and powerful way to tell stories and express emotions. Operas have been written on a wide variety of topics such as mythology, cultural clashes, comedic farce, the celebration of heroes, and children’s stories, just to name a few. Martinez and Foglia’s Cruzar la Cara de la Luna is an everyday epic, a story of a family facing tremendous circumstances to come together in the face of loss. The marriage of emotional storytelling through opera and dynamic expression through mariachi makes for powerful and impactful musical and theatrical experience.
WHAT IS MARIACHI?
Mariachi music is a vibrant and lively form of traditional Mexican music. It’s characterized by its lively rhythms, passionately sung melodies, and the iconic sounds of trumpets, violins, guitars, and sometimes harps. This musical style celebrates love, pride, and Mexican culture. The roots of mariachi music trace back to the rural regions of western Mexico, specifically in the state of Jalisco. Its exact origins are a blend of indigenous music, Spanish influence, and elements from African rhythms brought to Mexico through colonization. Initially played by small, regional groups known as “mariachi” in the nineteenth century, the music gradually evolved and gained popularity, eventually becoming a symbol of Mexican identity and culture. A typical mariachi ensemble consists of several musicians, often dressed in traditional charro suits—colorful outfits with intricate embroidery. Musicians play a variety of instruments, such as trumpets, violins, guitars, vihuelas (a small five-string guitar), and guitarróns (a large bass guitar), and incorporate virtuosic singing. The music itself is a fusion of different styles, blending elements of European waltzes, polkas, and the lively rhythms of Mexican folk music. This unique blend creates an infectious and joyful atmosphere, encouraging both musicians and audiences to sing, dance, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage it represents.
Courtesy
MARIACHI Y LA ÓPERA
¿QUÉ ES LA ÓPERA?
Por Makenzie Morgan, Canadian Opera Company
El término “ópera” proviene de la palabra italiana para “obra” o “pieza”. La ópera es una forma narrativa que incorpora música, drama y diseño. Aunque sus orígenes se remontan a la antigua Grecia, la forma de ópera que conocemos hoy comenzó a finales del siglo XVI en Florencia, Italia. Muchas personas exploraron las tendencias en las artes, centrándose en la música y el teatro, en particular. Compartían la convicción de que las artes se habían embellecido en exceso y que volver a la transparencia de la música de los antiguos griegos, que incorporaba la palabra, el canto y un coro para avanzar la trama y comentar la acción, sería una forma más pura, natural y poderosa de contar historias y expresar emociones. Se han escrito óperas sobre una gran variedad de temas, como la mitología, enfrentamientos culturales, farsa cómica, la celebración de héroes y cuentos infantiles, por nombrar sólo algunos. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, de Martínez y Foglia, es una epopeya cotidiana, la historia de una familia que se enfrenta a tremendas circunstancias para unirse al enfrentar la pérdida. La unión de la narración emotiva a través de la ópera y la expresión dinámica a través del mariachi crea una experiencia musical y teatral poderosa e impactante.
¿QUÉ ES EL MARIACHI?
La música de mariachi es una forma vibrante y alegre de la música tradicional mexicana. Se caracteriza por sus ritmos vivos, melodías cantadas con pasión y los sonidos emblemáticos de trompetas, violines, guitarras y, a veces, el arpa. Este estilo musical celebra el amor, el orgullo y la cultura mexicana. Las raíces del mariachi se remontan a las regiones rurales del oeste de México, en específico al estado de Jalisco. Sus orígenes exactos son una mezcla de música indígena, influencia española y elementos de ritmos africanos traídos a México a través de la colonización. Inicialmente interpretada por pequeños grupos regionales conocidos como “mariachis” en el siglo XIX, la música fue evolucionando y ganando popularidad hasta convertirse en un símbolo de la identidad y la cultura mexicanas. Un conjunto típico de mariachis está formado por varios músicos, a menudo vestidos con los tradicionales trajes de charro, caracterizados por sus bordados vistosos. Los músicos tocan una variedad instrumentos, como trompetas, violines, guitarras, vihuelas (una guitarra pequeña de cinco cuerdas) y guitarrones (un bajo de tamaño grande), e incorporan un estilo virtuoso de canto. La música en sí es una fusión de diferentes estilos, mezclando elementos de valses europeos, polcas y los alegres ritmos de la música folclórica mexicana. Esta mezcla única crea una atmósfera contagiosa y alegre, que anima tanto a los músicos como al público a cantar, bailar y celebrar la rica herencia cultural que representa.
Cortesía de Austin Opera y Opera San Antonio
MARIACHI AND OPERA
SECTIONS OF A MARIACHI ENSEMBLE
Adapted from Juan Ortiz, Campanas de America
CUERDAS
Cuerdas (“strings”) refers to the violin or string section in mariachi. Some mariachi ensembles have used violas, and for recordings, cellos and double basses have been used in the ensemble.
METALES
Metales (“brass”) refers to the brass section in the mariachi. Traditionally, trumpets and/or cornets are used in the mariachis; however, trombones, French horns, flugelhorns, and other brass instruments have also been used.
ARMONÍAS
Armonías (“harmonies”) refers to the rhythm section of a mariachi ensemble. The rhythm instruments of the mariachi consist of the classical Spanish acoustic guitar, the guitarra de golpe, and the vihuela, which resembles a roundedback lute. The primary function of the guitars in the mariachi ensemble is to provide a percussive-rhythmic tempo.
BAJO
Bajo (“low”) refers to the bass section. The primary instrument used in the mariachi ensemble is the guitarrón, which translates to “large guitar” in Spanish, and plays the lowest notes. The guitarrón has six strings—three made of nylon, three made of metal—and a rounded back.
ARPA
Arpa (“harp”) refers to the harp. Before the guitarrón became popular with mariachis, the harp was the primary bass and rhythm instrument of the mariachis. Due to the harp’s massive size, the guitarrón became more practical to carry. Harp players have been making a strong comeback since the inception of mariachi music clinics and seminars.
VOCALES
Vocales (“vocals”) refers to the vocal section in the ensemble. Musicians in the ensemble are trained in vocal production and maintenance to achieve virtuosic singing. In a mariachi vocal section, a combination of vocal timbres (children, women, and men) is often present. The mariachi repertoire consists of solo, duet, trio, and multi-voice selections.
Courtesy
MARIACHI Y LA ÓPERA
SECCIONES DE UN MARIACHI
Adaptado de Juan Ortiz, Campanas de America
CUERDAS
Las cuerdas conforman la sección de violines o cuerdas en el mariachi. Algunos conjuntos de mariachi han utilizado violas, y para las grabaciones, se han utilizado violonchelos y contrabajos en el conjunto.
METALES
Tradicionalmente, en los mariachis se utilizan trompetas y/o cornetas; sin embargo, también se han utilizado trombones, cornos franceses, fliscornos y otros instrumentos de metal.
ARMONÍAS
Esta es la sección rítmica de un conjunto de mariachi. Los instrumentos rítmicos del mariachi son la guitarra acústica clásica española, la guitarra de golpe y la vihuela, que se asemeja a un laúd de fondo redondeado. La función principal de las guitarras en el mariachi es proporcionar un tempo rítmico-percusivo.
BAJO
En cuanto al bajo se refiere, el instrumento principal del mariachi es el guitarrón, que toca las notas más graves. El guitarrón tiene seis cuerdas - tres de nylon y tres de metal - y un fondo redondeado.
ARPA
Antes de que el guitarrón se popularizara entre los mariachis, el arpa era el instrumento principal de bajo y ritmo de los mariachis. Debido al enorme tamaño del arpa, el guitarrón se hizo más práctico de cargar. Los intérpretes de arpa han regresado con ímpetu desde el inicio de las clínicas y seminarios de música de mariachi.
VOCALES
Los músicos del conjunto reciben formación en producción y mantenimiento vocal para lograr un canto virtuoso. En una sección vocal de mariachi, a menudo está presente una combinación de timbres vocales (niños, mujeres y hombres). El repertorio del mariachi se compone de solos, dúos, tríos y selecciones a varias voces.
Cortesía de Austin Opera y Opera San Antonio
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 January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
*Includes contributions to Lyric Opera Ball +Includes giving to the Special Gifts Campaign
RICHARD J. STERN SOCIETY
($50,000+)
Mr. & Mrs. A. Joseph Brandmeyer*
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bruening
Virginia & Charles Clark+
Barnett & Shirley Bush Helzberg*+
Joan Horan*+
Ingram Family Foundation*
Mr. Edward P. Milbank*
MAESTRO'S
CIRCLE
($25,000 - $49,999)
Ann Baum, G. Kenneth and Ann Baum
Philanthropic Fund
Matt & Kate Beem+
Dr. Gary Grunewald Charitable Fund
Ken & Marilyn Hager
Paul & Elizabeth Uhlmann+
BEL CANTO
($10,000 - $24,999)
Mrs. Raymond Backstrom
Drs. Iván & Karla Batlle*+
Mark T. Benedict & Dr. Kim Mongeau
Thomas & Mary Beth Butch+
Ann & Gary Dickinson Family
Charitable Foundation
Anthony & Meredith Durone*+
Dr. Melinda Estes & Dr. Harold Morris+
Michael D. Fields*
Joyce G. Holland
Kirk Foundation
Walter & Gayle Richardson
James & Laurie Rote*
Stephen & Dolores Schroff
Mr. J. Michael Sigler*
Ms. Connie Walker*+
IMPRESARIO
($5,000 - $9,999)
Scott & Joyce Blakesley
M. Wayne Alexander & John Braum
Christopher & Lisa Cella
Casey Claps*
Rita Cortés
Mrs. Una Creditor
Richard & Lauren English*+
Marilyn A.W. & Norman E. Gaar, Esq.*
Trudy & Jack Gabriel*
Christina Hager
Yong Y. Han, M.D.
Ellen & Irv Hockaday
Charlie Huggard
Jill Ingram Reynolds*
Judy Kirk
Dana Koehn*
Mary Leonida*+
Merrill Charitable Foundation
Donald & Linda Milligan
Tom & Kathy Nanney
Don & Pamela Raffurty
Andrew & Brittany Robb
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Schellhorn*
Jug & Rachel Stanovcic
Steve & Linda Taylor*
H. Wayne & Melanie Thompson
LYRIC OPERA ANGEL
($3,000 - $4,999)
Anonymous
Andy & Kathy Anderson*
Craig Armstrong
Sharon Barry*
Mr. & Mrs. Lee Baty*
Gary & Suzy Bennett
Richard & Nicole Browne*
Jerry & Meghan Carpenter
Nan Chapman*
Robert L. Claassen
Bernard & Mary Ann Craig
Bernard & Nicole Craig
Tim & Deanna Diebolt*
Michael & Karen Douglas
Kurt & Linnell Gretzinger*
Richard Gutknecht
Donald J. Hall*
John & Sharon Hoffman
Caleb & Julia Jackson
Mary Lou James & James Taylor
Dr. Robert E. & Dr. Rebecca Johnson
Graham & Helen Marcott
Drs. Margaret & Barry Nickell
George & Suzy Pagels
Tim Pratt & Christie Geier-Pratt
Joseph & Kelly Privitera*
INDIVIDUAL GIVING CONT.
Dennis & Palle Rilinger
Michelle & Chuck Ritter*
Carmen Sabates & Doug Peavey*
Deborah Sandler Kemper & Crosby
Kemper*
Megan Toal
Fr. Paul Turner
Dr. Linda E. Voigts & Mr. Gene Voigts
Lynne & Carl Weilert*
Dr. Edward A. Wortham, Jr.
Dr. Michael J. & Cindy S. Wurm*
Dr. & Mrs. John Yungmeyer*
ARIA SOCIETY
($1,500 - $2,999)
Andrew & Peggy Beal*
Ann & Terry Bender*
Erik Bergrud & Kimberlee Ried*
Peter & Lynne Brown*
Robert & Pamela Bruce*
Gerard & Judy Bukowski
Wendy Burrell*
Dr. Akin & Ayca Aktas Cil*
Dr. Suzanne C. Crandall*
Randy & Edie Downing*
Mr. & Mrs. David Embry*
Rev. & Mrs. William J. Fasel
Darold & Melinda Frenzen*
Dr. & Mrs. James K. Gentry*
George & Francis Gerritz*
Dr. John and Mrs. Ellen Goheen
Estate of Marrillie Good
Bruce & Kathy Gordon
Michael Hunter & Sherry Love*
Kirk & Gretchen Ivy*
Craig Kemp
John & Julia Kirk Duty
Mr. & Mrs. William Kort*
Barbara Loots & William J. Dickinson
Mr. Robert Lunn
Julia & Greg Malter*
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mayer
Carl McCaffree*
Mr. & Mrs. John Middelkamp*
Patricia E. Cleary Miller, PhD
Barbara Nelson*
Debra & Allen Parmet
Dr. Ronald & Donna Patton*
Ms. Lisa Flynn Pruch*
Curt Roberts & Ora Reynolds*
Bruce & Nancy Schall*
Patricia Ann Scott*
Darren Sextro & John Rensenhouse*
Suzanne Shank & John Lohmeyer*
Kelton W. H. Smith
Barbara Spilker*
Juliette Singer & Ian Spinks*
Ms. Linda S. Stevens*
Howard & Irene Weiner
VIRTUOUSO
($1,000 - $1,499)
Blue Heron Foundation
Roger Bond & Victoria Hermes-Bond
Ms. Joyce Castle
Greg & Sue Chamberlain Klein
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Copaken*
Dr. Michael De Priest & Ms. Barbara
Braznell
Steven & Carolyn Faenger*
Ellen Feldhausen
Dr. Karen Florio
Lafayette & Susanne Ford
Donna Gould Cohen
Carol Grantham
Robert Haas
Lisa Merrill Hickok*
Gary Hobin
Harold & Vicki James
Bev Leonard*
Andrew McDonald
Edward & Chris Null
Dr. Sieglinde Othmer*
Lawrence & Pamela Scott*
Karen Seaberg
Joshua & Jane Sosland
Mr. & Mrs. Terrence P. Sullivan
Clyde & Katie Wendel
Sophia C. Zetmeir
Karl & Beth Zobrist
COMPRIMARIO
($500 - $999)
Robert & Ruth Abbott
Christopher & Sharon Bradford
Ronald & Kathleen Bremer
Robert & Silvy Brookby*
Arden & Mary Ann Carr
Mr. C. L. Cocke
Mr. H. Hurst Coffman
Craig Coen & Jeffrey Bellamy
James & Diana Cusser*
Don & Patricia Dagenais
Pat & Liz Daniels
Dr. & Mrs. John M. Davis
Roger Dirks & Cynthia Capellari
Michael Dunaway*
Warren & Jenny Erdman*
INDIVIDUAL GIVING CONT.
William & Eileen Everett*
Michael & Melanie Fenske*
Barbara Fessler*
Connie & Antoni Firner
Michael Fischbach
Alexandra Fontana
Dan & Mary Carol Garrity*
Mark & Nancy Gilman
Michael & Judy Graf
Carol Grantham
Ms. Roberta Gumbel
John & Bernice Hamra Foundation*
Christine Hands
Drs. Robert & Jane Henney*
Dr. & Mrs. Edward Higgins
William & Margo Humenczuk
Bruce & Cynda Johnson
Steve Joss
Nicholas & Charlotte Liddeke*
Michael & Julie McCann*
P. Alan McDermott
Kathy & Bill Migneron
JoZach Miller & Peter Bali*
Ed Moore*
Bill Pallucca
Gigi & Gary Rose*
Dr. & Mrs. Nelson R. Sabates*
Jon Scheinman & Anita Toby Grow
Dr. Christopher & Lisa Sirridge*
Greg & Ann Smith
Lora Smith*
Mark Trenton Smith*
James & Margaret Stadler*
Kathleen Sutton*
Sven & Julie Sykes*
Ms. Beverly Thomas
Robert & Phyllis Thomen
Tracey Tilley*
Carol Dziadik Turner & Daniel Turner
Maarten van Swaay
Jeff & Alisha Walker*
Mrs. Barbara Weary
William & Judith Webb
Jeff & Danielle Whitman*
Deborah Wilkinson
Jean Wise
Dean Zollman & Jackie Spears
CHORUS
($250 - $499)
David Actenberg & H. Alice Jacks
Richard & Emily Ballentine
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Barksdale *
John & Janet Bennett
W Michael Brown
Matthew & Nancy Buchmann*
Jeffrey & Diane Buczkowski
Dennis Cooley
Rita Burnett-Ferguson
Donna Carper*
Dr. Patricia Mary Cox
James R. Cook
Dr. & Mrs. Steve Crouch
Doug & Terri Curran
Cathy Daicoff
Jerry L. Daniels
Jo Anne & Bill Dondlinger*
Carla Dyer*
Mr. Kenneth Eiler
Jon & Avis Erickson
Molly Fisher
Olga Ganzen*
George & Frances Gerritz*
Charles & Barbara Gorodetzky
Mr. & Mrs. Winston Grantham
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Hall III
Mr.& Mrs. George E. Handley
Susan & Zack Hangauer
Roger Hiatt & Patricia Haegelin-Hiatt
Charles & Barbara Haviland*
Mr. & Mrs. William Hirsch
Ms. Robin L. Huff
Drs. John & Anna Kenney*
Jolle Kirpensteijn
Kristina Klug*
Jim David Koger
Greg & Nancy Koons*
Jon Kowing
Petra Kralickova*
Gerald Knoll & Dorothy Colgan
Angela Kramer*
Dr. Jan-Marie & Bradford Kroh*
Rodney & Margaret LaMothe
Jane Lee
Jenny Manka*
Matt & Christy Mayo*
Michael & Marcy Mazzarella
Heidi McIntyre
Douglas & Nina McKenna
Patricia Meads
Karen Mische*
Susan Nelson
Ann Nigro*
Andrea Norris & Thomas Beisecker
Mark & Lynne O’Connell
Jorge & Marilen Paradelo
Kathy Peters
Vernon & Trish Church Podlasek*
INDIVIDUAL GIVING CONT.
Ms. Maggie Presson
Ms. Carolyn Price *
Mr. Hal Douglas Quinn*
James Ralstin
Scott & Jeannette Redick*
Ms. Lucinda Rice-Petrie*
Bridget Richards*
Edward & Charlotte Ronan
Thomas & Patty Ruehle
Elaina Marie Sansone*
Michael Shaw
Ms. Dorie R. Sheppard*
Fred & Abigail Tempel
Daniel L. Turner & Carol Dziadik Turner
Mrs. John D. Turner*
Sandra Vogel
Mr. Hal vonBohnhoff
Diana Whitney
Richard Wieland
Marcus Williams
Robert Wilshire & Patricia McDonald
John Younger
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank our valued individual, community, and corporate partners whose generous contribution of time, resources, and talents have been essential to our success. We deeply appreciate your dedication to bringing opera to life throughout the Kansas City region. Thank you!
Aristocrat Motors
Calvin Arsenia
Drs. Iván & Karla Batlle
Chicano Center for the Arts
Christina Loya
Classical KC
Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City
Cupini’s
Carla and Dan Dyer
First Baptist Church of Kansas City
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
Greenwood Social Hall
Deanna Hanson-Abromeit
High Touch Technologies
Home2 Suites
Husch Blackwell
John Kander II
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Kansas City Museum
Kansas City Public Library
Kansas City Public Schools (MO)
Kauffman Foundation Conference Center
Kansas City Young Audiences
Kansas State School for the Blind
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Wade Kerrigan
Vanessa Knight
Lawrence Arts Center
Rebecca Lepping
Latinx Education Collaborative
Lyric Opera Circle
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Community Advisory Council
Drs. Genaro and Stacy Méndez, and Mica Méndez Bauer
Mid-Continent Public Library
Ed Milbank
Monarca Art Space
Moreno Denton Language Services
The Museum of Kansas City
newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
Orpheus KC
Paul Gutiérrez, The Museum of Kansas City
Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church
Rainy Day Books
RC Williams Company
Carmen Sabates
Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church
Soileh Padilla Mayer, Head Consul,
Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City
Swoon Cookie Crafters
Turn the Page KC
Victory Hills Baptist Church
Walz Tetrick Advertising
Wandering Vine at the Castle
We’d like to thank all school partners who participated in Learning programming over the last year.
MATCHING GIFT & CORPORATE SHARE COMPANIES
Baird Foundation, Inc.
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Merrill Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Sanofi-Aventis
The Sosland Foundation
LIFETIME GIVING
Lyric Opera of Kansas City is proud to honor the leadership and extraordinary support of the following individuals and institutions that have given generously to the Lyric over many years. Their cumulative gifts of $100,000 or more help bring our mission to life by making transformational opera experiences possible in our city. We are grateful for their investment and unwavering belief in the power of opera.
*Deceased
Anonymous
Ann & Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation
Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation
Ann Baum, G. Kenneth & Ann Baum
Philanthropic Fund
ArtsKC Regional Arts Council
Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Sydney Backstrom & Raymond* Backstrom
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Barnett and Shirley Helzberg Foundation
Drs. Iván & Karla Batlle
Mr. & Mrs. A. Joseph Brandmeyer
The Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation, Inc.
Drs. Doug & Mary* Brothers
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bruening
City of Kansas City, Missouri
Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund
Virginia & Charles Clark
Columbian Bank and Trust Company
Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust, Bank of America, Trustee
Mrs. Una & Dr. Morton* Creditor
Cyr Family Charitable Fund
Pat & Don Dagenais
David T. Beals III Charitable Trust, Bank of America, Trustee
Mrs. Ann Dickinson*
DST Systems, Inc.
Mr. Richard & Mrs. Maureen* Durwood
E. Kemper Carter & Anna Curry Carter Community Memorial Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Anne & Howard Elsberry
Elsberry Family Foundation
Enid & Crosby Kemper Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Estelle S. & Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation
Dr. Melinda Estes & Dr. Harold Morris
Craig & Dawn Evans
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Francis Family Foundation
Dr. Michael and Ginger Frost
Trudy & Jack Gabriel
H & R Block Foundation
Ken & Marilyn Hager
Hall Family Foundation
Hallmark Corporate Foundation
Helen & Sam Kaplan Charitable Foundation
Shirley & Barnett Helzberg, Jr.
Richard Hill*
Joyce G. Holland
Joan Horan
Husch Blackwell LLP
Mrs. Beth Ingram
Ingram Family Foundation
Jack & Glenna Wylie Charitable Foundation
J.B. Reynolds Foundation
John W. & Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust, Bank of America, Trustee
John Kander
Mr. Elvin B. Klein
Lyric Opera Circle
Lyric Opera Guild
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Endowment Fund
Lyric Opera of Kansas City - William
Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund
Lyric Opera of Kansas City - Our Next Act Endowment
Lyric Opera of Kansas City - Polsky Fund
Mabee Foundation
Marion & Henry Bloch Family Foundation
Master Craftsmen Foundation
Mrs. Sandra & Mr. Albert* Mauro
Caroline French McBride*
Carl & Lee* McCaffree
McCownGordon Construction
Thomas & Jean McDonnell
Metropolitan Performing Arts Fund
LIFETIME GIVING CONT.
Mr. Edward P. Milbank
Missouri Arts Council/Missouri Arts Council Trust Fund
Muriel I. Kauffman Fund for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation
Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee
Pemberton Family Charitable Foundation
R.C. Kemper Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
R.C. Kemper, Jr. Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Walter & Gayle Richardson
Michelle & Chuck Ritter
Mrs. Sarah & Mr. Landon* Rowland
Kenneth & Roswitha Schaffer
Vera & Mike* Seeley
Sherman Family Foundation
Mr. J. Michael Sigler
Rheta Sosland
The Sosland Foundation
Sprint Foundation
Richard J. Stern*
Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts
Stilwell Financial, Inc.
The Sunderland Foundation
Steve & Linda Taylor
Theater League
Thomas & Sally Wood Family Foundation
Mrs. Jody & Mr. Jack* Tillotson
Mrs. Carol & Mr. C. Humbert* Tinsman
Mr. Michael Waterford
The William Randolph Hearst Foundation
William T. Kemper Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
William T. Kemper FoundationCommerce Bank Trust
Eugene Onegin photo by Cory Weaver for Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
INSTITUTIONAL 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 January 1, 2024 to December 31, 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 Carter Community Memorial Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
R.C. Kemper, Jr. Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Lyric Opera Circle
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Endowment Fund
Lyric Opera of Kansas City –Our Next Act Endowment
Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation
Muriel I. Kauffman Fund for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Sherman Family Foundation
The State of Missouri
The Sunderland Foundation
MAESTRO’S CIRCLE
($25,000 - $49,999)
Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Francis Family Foundation
H & R Block Foundation
Hallmark Corporate Foundation
J.B. Reynolds Foundation*
Kearney Wornall Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Lyric Opera of Kansas City - William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund
National Endowment for the Arts
Pemberton Family Charitable Foundation
William T. Kemper FoundationCommerce Bank Trust
BEL CANTO
($10,000 - $24,999)
Cyr Family Charitable Remainder Trust
Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation
Lyric Opera of Kansas City - Polsky Fund
Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm
The Sosland Foundation
IMPRESARIO
($5,000 - $9,999)
Elsberry Family Foundation*
High Touch Inc*
Jack F. & Glenna Y. Wylie Charitable Foundation - Midwest Trust*
Orpheus KC*
Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation
CORPORATE & COMMUNITY COUNCIL ($3,000 - $4,999)
Aristocrat Motors*
Arvest Bank
Commerce Bank, n.a.*
FCS Family Office, Molly & Tom Freeman+
Halls Kansas City*
Husch Blackwell LLP*
JE Dunn Construction Company*
R.A. Long Foundation
R C Williams Company*
RubinBrown LLP*
CORPORATE & COMMUNITY SPONSORS ($250 - $2,999)
EPR Properties
JoAnn Meierhoff Charitable Foundation
John and Bernice Hamra Foundation*
Louis and Frances Swinken Supporting Foundation, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
The Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music
Enrichment Fund
Missouri Humanities, Missouri Humanities Trust
Vernon & Trish Podlasek, Cuorebella
The Trudy Foundation
TruPay
Uncover KC
In Honor of Beth Ingram
Jack & Trudy Gabriel
J. Michael Sigler & Greg Oborny
In Memory of Clarabelle Belcher Coursen
Marilyn Cox
In Memory of Elvira E. Calhoun
Marilyn Cox
In Memory of Donna Carper
Jeanette Redick
Jill Ingram Reynolds
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Circle
In Memory of Rev Lewis
Hal Von Bohnhoff
In Honor of Floyd Pentlin
Phyllis Klocek
In Memory of Lee McCaffree
Peter & Lynne Brown
Kirk Carpenter
Terrence & Peggy Dunn
John & Robin Moore
H Jonathan Pratt
Jill Ingram Reynolds
Greg & Lisa Marie Schoofs
In Memory of Ann Dickinson
Gary & Ann Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation
Hope Beyond Hunger.
Addiction. Homelessness.
Scan the QR code to learn more about their story. Needs Met. Lives Transformed. Hope Lives Here.
SEP 3-22
Spencer Theatre
An uplifting and heartfelt musical featuring gorgeous songs like the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly”
OCT 8-27
Copaken Stage
A spellbinding journey through the life of iconic songstress Billie Holiday
NOV 23-DEC 28
Spencer Theatre A CHRISTMAS CAROL
MAY 6-25
Spencer Theatre
Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning Christmasof
An enchanting romp through Regency-era England
A quietly powerful play by Kansas City, KS playwright, Nathan Louis Jackson, highlighting the enduring power of family bonds
FEB 11-MAR 2
Copaken Stage
Fewer Treatments. Better Outcomes.
The future of cancer care is here. The AdventHealth Cancer Institute will be the first and only health care provider in Kansas City to perform MRI-Guided Radiation. This advanced therapy allows us to see tumors as we treat them, resulting in pinpoint precision, fewer treatments, reduced side effects and better outcomes.
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.
MADELINE FRIESEN (Mezzo-Soprano)
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Mezzo-soprano Madeline Friesen’s recent roles include Le Prince Charmant in Massenet’s Cendrillon and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro. Friesen also studied the role of Béatrice in Béatrice et Bénédict in a scenes program at The University of North Texas. She has performed as the alto soloist in the world premiere of Milcžinsky’s Oratorium during a tour of the Czech Republic with University of North Texas’s Fantasmi. Madeline is a native of Olathe, Kansas and received her bachelor’s degree in voice performance from The University of North Texas where she studied with Professor Molly Fillmore. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in voice performance at The University of Missouri-Kansas City, studying with Dr. Aidan Soder.
Roméo et Juliette photo by Don Ipock for Lyric Opera of Kansas City
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Jeffrey Adams
Season Opener with pianist Behzod
Abduraimov in collaboration with Park University ICM SEPT. 20, 2024
Ingrid Stölzel: A Musical Portrait OCT. 12, 2024
Thanksgiving with NAVO NOV. 30, 2024
NAVO Chamber Orchestra with pianist Steven Spooner and violinist Véronique Mathieu
FEB. 22, 2025
The Art of Cello with Daniel Veis MAR. 22, 2025
Frontier String Quartet APR. 2025
Season Finale Fest with violinist Maria Ioudenitch MAY 7, 9, 11, 2025 TENTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON 2024 - 2025
LYRIC OPERA PATRON SERVICES
Phone: (816) 471-7344
E-mail: 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 ninety minutes before every performance and through the first intermission.
GROUP TICKETS
BRING A GROUP TO THE OPERA!
Group orders of ten 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.
2024-2025 Signature Series:
Visit KCJO.org for ticket information
Fri. Oct. 11th, 7pm UNFORGETTABLE
ft. Sachal Vascandani
Sat., Nov. 16th, 7pm BRIGHT SIZE LIFE
ft. Rod Fleeman
Tues., Dec. 10th, 7pm A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Selections from Charlie
Sat., March 1st, 7pm ALWAYS & FOREVER
ft. Lucy and Bram Wijnands
Sat., April 5th, 7pm LEVEL UP!
Selections from Classic Video
Sat., May 31st, 7pm GLAMOUR OF OLD HOLLYWOOD
ft. Brenna Whitaker
2024-2025 Concerts Including Works of Brahms, Parry, Rachmaninoff, Holst and many others along with American spirituals and gospels 2025 performance of Bach's immortal MASS IN B MINOR with chamber orchestra and soloists
PARK UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MUSIC
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.
Come experience the birth of our international stars. Visit ICM.PARK.EDU for our concert schedule today.
Stanislav loudenitch Artistic Director /Piano Studio
Ben Sayevich Violin Studio
Daniel Veis Cello Studio
Peter Chun Viola Studio
Classically Opera
The Lyric Opera Ball
April 5, 2025
Loews Kansas City Hotel
1515 Wyandotte Street Kansas City, Missouri
5:30 PM Black Tie
Complimentary Valet Parking
Order your tickets here:
BUILDING ENGAGED AND PASSIONATE OPERA AUDIENCES FOR TODAY AND THE FUTURE
Orpheus KC is a supporting organization of Lyric Opera of Kansas City and offers lovers of the arts opportunities to get involved, connect with likeminded enthusiasts, and support Lyric Opera.
JOIN TODAY
Membership benefits include: 35% discount on single tickets
Exclusive access to special events
Behind-the-scenes tours
Season subscription discounts
VISIT US
Visit Orpheus KC’s Boutique in Brandmeyer Hall before Lyric Opera performances or during intermission. We will be featuring works by local artists.
MARCH 29–APRIL 12, 2025
TOURING KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY SPACES
Join us for Maya and the Magic Ring! Scan the QR code, visit kcopera.org, or call us at (816) 471-7344.
MAY 2–4, 2025
IF HE CAN’T WIN HER HEART, SHE’LL HAVE HIS HEAD.
Get tickets to Turandot today! Scan the QR code, visit kcopera.org, or call us at (816) 471-7344 to purchase.
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
Melanie Chapman, Staff Accountant
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 School Programs
Laura Blankenship, Manager of Community Programs
PRODUCTION
Tracy Davis-Singh, Director of Production
Rafael Toribio, Technical Director
Sarah Zsohar, Artist Services Manager
Selena Gonzalez-Lopez, Assistant Technical Director/Lighting Supervisor
DEVELOPMENT
Ashley Parks, Chief Development Officer
Rebecca Ballinger Clark, Manager of Institutional Giving
Laurie Eck, Manager of Development Operations & Donor Research
Laura Bowling, Development Concierge
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Gregory Campbell, Director of Marketing & Communications
Amanda Schuster, Senior Manager of Ticketing & Patron Services
Emily Stott, Manager of Marketing Operations
Mason McBride, Manager of Digital Communications
Enrique Zabala, Graphic Design Specialist
Gabriella Swoboda, Assistant Manager of Ticketing and Patron Services
Ellen McDonald, Publicity Consultant
Ticketing & Patron Services Representatives: Catherine Cone, Rowan Frazier, Josephine Meyers, Dennis Pearson, and Brianna Volkmann
LEGAL COUNSEL
Wade Kerrigan, Husch Blackwell, LLP, General Counsel
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 2024–2025
OFFICERS
Anthony Durone, President
Richard English, Vice President
Scott Blakesley, Secretary
Mark Benedict, Treasurer
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Iván Batlle
Richard P. Bruening
Tom Butch
Casey Claps
Rita Cortés
Dr. Melinda Estes
Michael D. Fields
Christina Hager
COUNSEL
Kenneth V. Hager
Mary Leonida
Mira Mdivani
Edward P. Milbank
Thomas E. Nanney
Andrew Robb
Jug Stanovcic
Wade Kerrigan, Ex-Officio
AUXILIARY MEMBERS
Pam Bruce, Ex-Officio | President, Lyric Opera Circle
Lisa Pruch, Ex-Officio | Ball Co-Chair, Lyric Opera Circle
Drewbie Price, Ex-Officio | Chair, Orpheus KC
HERE’S TO ARTISTRY.
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