Madame Butterfly, Lyric Opera of Kansas City 2025-2026 Season by TheIndependentMagazinePA

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A NOTE FROM DEBORAH SANDLER KEMPER

Welcome to Madame Butterfly! Our season of four fully staged operas continues with Puccini’s timeless masterpiece. This exquisite production arrives from our friends at Houston Grand Opera, featuring an outstanding international cast under the musical direction of one of opera’s most promising young conductors, Roberto Kalb.

The emotional impact of Madame Butterfly can never be overstated. Puccini’s brilliant score and deeply human storytelling move audiences again and again. Though set in a world far from ours in 2025, the themes resonate universally: unmet promises, unfulfilled hopes, and the pain of a broken heart—emotions we all encounter in life.

As we turn the page after Butterfly, we look forward to a celebration of American opera with The Gershwins®’ Porgy and Bess and the gripping drama of Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men. Together, these works highlight the richness and diversity of America’s operatic tradition, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Thank you for being here, and for supporting opera and the power of musical storytelling. Your presence makes everything we do possible.

Deborah Sandler Kemper, General Director and CEO

Photo@ Don Ipock

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 2025–2026

OFFICERS

Anthony Durone, President

Richard English, Vice President

Mira Mdivani, Secretary

Mark Benedict, Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dr. Iván Batlle

Scott Blakesley

Richard P. Bruening

Casey Claps

Rita Cortés

Dr. Melinda Estes

Michael D. Fields

COUNSEL

Christina Hager

Kenneth V. Hager

Mary Leonida

Edward P. Milbank

Thomas E. Nanney

Andrew Robb

Jug Stanovcic

Wade Kerrigan, Ex-Officio

AUXILIARY MEMBERS

Peggy Beal, Ex-Officio | President, Lyric Opera Circle

Nicole Browne, Ex-Officio | Ball Co-Chair, Lyric Opera Circle

Kimberlee Ried, Ex-Officio | Ball Co-Chair, Lyric Opera Circle

Photo@ Michael Bishop

THE PATH TO ELEGANCE STARTS WITH US.

NUMEROUS MODELS | ENDLESS OPTIONS ONE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAM

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

MIKAYLA LYNN HATFIELD (Soprano)

Soprano MiKayla Lynn Hatfield is a rising artist currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts at Shenandoah Conservatory, studying with Nancy Gustafson. Praised for her expressive stage presence and vocal warmth, Hatfield has recently appeared as Alice Ford in Falstaff, Lidochka in Moscow, Cheryomushki, Eugénie in Germaine Tailleferre’s La pauvre Eugénie, and the title role in Suor Angelica. In 2022, she was selected to attend the renowned American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria. The following year, she was awarded the $20,000 Stephen Feinberg Scholarship by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. In 2023, she took first place in Division II of the Shenandoah Conservatory Student Soloist Competition. Most recently, she toured Spain and Portugal with Shenandoah Opera, performing the role of Galatea in Handel’s Acis and Galatea

CHRISTINA GROHOWSKI (Mezzo-Soprano)

Mezzo-soprano Christina Grohowski holds a Master of Music in Voice and Opera from the Yale School of Music, where she studied with Adriana Zabala. She recently appeared as Clarina in La cambiale di matrimonio, Martha in Iolanta, and Mother Goose in The Rake’s Progress with Yale Opera. In summer 2024, she made her Santa Fe Opera debut as an Apprentice Singer, performing as Noble Orphan 3 in Der Rosenkavalier and in ensembles for L’elisir d’amore and The Righteous. She also covered the role of Flora in La traviata. Other recent performances include Yale Opera’s fall scenes program, in which she appeared as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor, and in Yale Opera on Broadway.

DAVID PELINO (Tenor)

Haitian American performer David Pelino, described as having a “powerful tenor” (South Florida Classical Review), is equally at home on the concert stage, in opera, in recital, and with professional ensembles. On stage, he recently made his role debuts as Wesley Harris in the Kentucky premiere of Paul Moravec’s Sanctuary Road, and as Sam in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah. In summer of 2025, Pelino participated in the Bay View Music Festival, performing the roles of Booker T. Washington in Ragtime and Don José in Carmen. In concert, his versatile instrument has made him a featured soloist in major works such as Joseph Haydn’s The Creation, Handel’s Messiah, Théodore Dubois’s The Seven Last Words of Christ, Adolphus Hailstork’s I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, and as the Evangelist in J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion

ALEX SMITH (Baritone)

Baritone Alex Smith is in his second year as the Resident Artist Baritone at Lyric Opera of Kansas City. In the 2024–2025 Lyric Opera season, he performed Fiorello in The Barber of Seville and Ping in Turandot, and study-covered Figaro in The Barber of Seville. In 2023, Smith was a Young Artist at The Glimmerglass Festival, performing in the ensembles of La bohème and Roméo et Juliette. Other recent roles include the Musiklehrer in Ariadne auf Naxos, Junius in The Rape of Lucretia, Raimbaud in Le Comte The Rake’s Progress, and Marco in Gianni Schicchi

Sponsored, in part, by Ms. Connie Walker

INKYO HONG (Coach-Accompanist)

Pianist Inkyo Hong is a collaborative pianist and conductor and has participated in numerous operatic productions and orchestral ensembles. From 2021 to 2023, she served on the musical coaching staff at the Indiana University Opera and Ballet Theater. In 2023, she joined the Juilliard School as a studio pianist in the Pre-College, Extension, and College divisions. In the fall of 2024, she joined the artistic team for opera productions at Julliard Vocal Arts, where she is a collaborative pianist. Hong has performed at distinguished venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Kosciuszko Foundation, and the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Lincoln Center.

Photo@ Andrew Schwartz

Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY (2025)

Top 10 True Western Town of the Year by True West Magazine (2025)

Best Presidential Attraction by Newsweek (2025)

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.

PAYTON BOLDT (Soprano)

Soprano Payton Boldt holds a Master of Music from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice at the same institution, studying with Dr. Maria Kanyova. Boldt has performed extensively in the United States and Italy, with roles including Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Pamina and Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Cinderella in Into the Woods, and Laurette in Le docteur Miracle

MADELINE FRIESEN (Mezzo-Soprano)

Mezzo-soprano Madeline Friesen is in her second year as the Apprentice Artist Mezzo-Soprano at Lyric Opera of Kansas City. During the 2024–2025 season, she performed as the Clear String in The Haberdasher Prince and appeared in the ensemble of Turandot. Other recent roles include Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Le Prince Charmant in Massenet’s Cendrillon, Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and Olga in The MerryWidow. A native of Olathe, Kansas, Friesen earned her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of North Texas and is currently pursuing her Master of Music at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory, where she studies with Dr. Aidan Soder.

SAMUEL ENRIQUEZ (Baritone)

Samuel Enriquez is a baritone from Houston, TX, who recently completed his Master of Music in Voice at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, studying with Dr. Raymond Feener. He recently performed roles such as Father in Hänsel und Gretel, Senator Potter in Fellow Travelers, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, the Baker in Into the Woods, and Moralès in Carmen

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

FOR ADULTS

Our community engagement programs invite audiences to connect more deeply with the stories we tell on stage—through conversation, context, and shared experiences. Regular offerings include:

Community Conversations

This 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 productions in a series of events 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.

Opera Book Club

Discover more about the operas in our season through relevant books and discussions. Members enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities, enhancing understanding of every production.

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

Our K–12 education programs invite students and teachers to engage with opera in classrooms and community spaces. 2025–2026 offerings include:

• The Haberdasher Prince—a touring opera for elementary schools

• Langston Hughes: A Lyrical Life—a touring production for secondary schools and community spaces

• Student Dress Rehearsals—school groups attend the final dress rehearsal of our operas at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Cusick Plastic Surgery

Premier Senior Living in the Heart of Kansas City

For families on the cancer journey

An opera in three acts

Music by Giacomo Puccini

Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa

PRINCIPAL CAST

Cio-Cio-San

Lieutenant Pinkerton

Suzuki

Sharpless

Goro

Prince Yamadori

The Bonze

The Imperial

Kate Pinkerton

The Official Registrar

Yakuside

Cousin

Mother

Aunt Sorrow

* Lyric Opera Debut

Yunuet Laguna*(Friday & Sunday), Ann Toomey*(Saturday)

Viktor Antipenko

Alice Chung@

Jarrett Ott

Spencer Hamlin*

Alex Smith^

Christian Simmons*

Robert Ellsworth Feng*

Christina Grohowski^

Evan J. Nelson

Brian Sussman

Kelli Van Meter@

Julia Scozzafava@

Deanna Ray Eberhart@

Isla Eisenmenger*, Oliver Personett*

@ Past Resident Artist/Apprentice

^ Lyric Opera Resident Artist

Madame Butterfly premiered at Teatro alla Scala, 1904.

Presented in Italian with English titles projected above the stage

Running time: Two hours and forty minutes with one intermission

CREATIVE TEAM

CONDUCTOR

DIRECTOR

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER

LIGHTING DESIGNER

WIG AND MAKEUP DESIGNER

MOVEMENT DIRECTORS AND CULTURAL ADVISORS

CHORUS MASTER

REHEARSAL ACCOMPANISTS

CELESTA PLAYER

MUSIC LIBRARIAN

PROPS SUPERVISOR

LIGHTING SUPERVISOR

COSTUME COORDINATOR

TITLES OPERATOR

WIG AND MAKEUP CREW

STAGE MANAGER

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

CHILD COORDINATOR

HEAD CARPENTER

HEAD PROPSMAN

HEAD ELECTRICIAN

HEAD FLYMAN

HEAD SOUND ENGINEER

WARDROBE SUPERVISOR

WARDROBE ASSISTANT

Roberto Kalb

E. Loren Meeker*

Nora Winsler*

Christopher Oram*

Driscoll Otto

David Zimmerman

Kevin Suzuki*, Momo Suzuki*

Piotr Wiśniewski

Piotr Wiśniewski, Inkyo Hong^

Inkyo Hong^

Elena Lence-Talley

Erika Baker*

Selena Gonzalez-Lopez

Nancy Robinson

Sarah Zsohar

Blaine Shepherd, Camille White

Alayna Powell

Ellie Brown, Veronica Page*

Victoria Schmidt

Kyle Deckman

Stephen Cochran

Dan McMahan

Evan Suellentrop

Grant Conrad

Desiree Baird Story

Amanda McCarty

*Lyric Opera Debut

^Lyric Opera Resident Artist

CHORUS SOPRANO

Lauren Auge@

Payton Boldt*~

Melissa Faltermeier

Kathryn Long

Aimee McCormack@

Kristin Newbegin

Kelli Van Meter@

*Lyric Opera Debut

@ Past Resident Artist/Apprentice

~ Lyric Opera Apprentice Artist

MEZZO-SOPRANO

Sarah Baxter

Ashley Beth Burnett

Deanna Ray Eberhart@

Elaine Fox@

Julia Scozzafava@

Jennifer Weiman

Emma WitbolsFeugen

TENOR

Drew Duncan

Alex Goering

Trent Green

David Helder

Jedd C. Schneider

Kevin Thomas Smith

Brian Sussman

SUPERNUMERARIES

Matt Brun

Hunter Eisenmenger

Edgar Palacios

Mark Spencer

Photo@ Andrew Schwartz

JUNE

OCTOBER

DECEMBER 5-7, 2025 | THE FOLLY THEATER Aha! CaBOOret

MARCH 20-22, 2026 | THE FOLLY THEATER

HONORING OUR LEGACY. FORGING OUR FUTURE.

CONDUCTOR’S NOTES

By Roberto Kalb

When Madame Butterfly premiered at La Scala in 1904, Giacomo Puccini expected a triumph. Instead, it became a fiasco, highly criticized by both audiences and critics. In an interesting parallel to Verdi’s composition of La traviata: Puccini undertook a series of revisions, reshaping the work into the taut, deeply affecting opera we know today. By the time it reached Brescia later that year, Madame Butterfly had become a masterpiece.

In Madame Butterfly, Puccini, already celebrated for La bohème and Tosca, achieved something even more refined: long, seamless arcs of sound where voice and orchestra fuse into a single emotional current. Famous for his search for a piece’s sonic color or tinta, Puccini studied Japanese melodies and sonorities, weaving them into his lateRomantic language with remarkable subtlety. Rather than simple exoticism, he created a soundscape hovering between cultures. In some of his operas, he even chose to label sections not as atti (acts) but as quadri (panels), evoking the framing of a painting rather than the division of a traditional stage work.

For a modern listener, it can seem like a less-than-authentic portrayal of Japanese culture and music, but we must understand, that with the limited access to the actual culture, these expressions of them are more fantastical imaginations of what those cultures might be like. Puccini himself never stepped foot on Japanese soil.

Beyond its surface beauty, Madame Butterfly pulses with emotional electricity. Puccini sets long spans of quiet expectation, only to unleash music of sweeping, almost cinematic intensity. He famously quotes the U.S. national anthem within the tapestry of his Japanese soundscapes. The score alternates between whispered intimacy and full-throated passion, between private reverie and the kind of orchestral outpouring that seems to rise from the depths of the earth. This volatility is what gives the opera its charge: Puccini allows tenderness and devastation to inhabit the same breath, so that when the climaxes arrive, they feel not written but inevitable.

That Madame Butterfly began as a failure only deepens its resonance. Through revision and persistence, Puccini transformed a disastrous premiere into one of opera’s most enduring works: a score where personal devotion and historical consequence converge, and where music gives voice to hope, heartbreak, and the quiet courage of starting anew. Lyric Opera of Kansas City has brought together a truly remarkable cast for this, and in partnership with the incredible Kansas City Symphony, it promises to be a performance of Madame Butterfly that will honor Puccini’s intimate lyricism while unleashing the opera’s full dramatic power.

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

By E. Loren Meeker

It is an incredible honor to direct Puccini’s Madame Butterfly as my debut as Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Bringing this beloved masterpiece to life offers a profound opportunity to explore its breathtaking music, emotional depth, and complex cultural legacy.

At the heart of Madame Butterfly is a poignant and tragic love story, brilliantly set in Nagasaki, Japan, at a time when two cultures were thrust together in complex and often painful ways. Despite the difficult conversations surrounding the opera today, I believe Butterfly is Puccini’s love letter to opera and that his intentions were to create a powerful drama that ultimately condemns Pinkerton’s perspective and cavalier attitude. While Puccini himself never visited Japan, he was invested in capturing its essence. His librettist, Luigi Illica, traveled to Nagasaki to immerse himself in Japanese culture, and Puccini studied traditional Japanese music with the wife of the Japanese ambassador to Italy. He incorporated these melodies into his composition, striving to create a world that felt authentic to him.

Yet, for all its beauty and sincerity, Madame Butterfly is not without controversy. Over time, the opera has been criticized for its historical inaccuracies and for presenting Japan through a Western lens. Some of its portrayals reflect stereotypes that, though common at the time of its creation, require careful consideration today.

Puccini was deeply moved by the real-life stories that inspired Madame Butterfly. His fascination with the subject was sparked when he saw David Belasco’s theatrical adaptation of John Luther Long’s novel in London in 1900. He was immediately drawn to its emotional intensity and wrote to his publisher Giulio Ricordi about his intent to turn it into an opera. Puccini’s own letters reveal the depth of his research. In an undated letter, he wrote: “My dear Signor Giulio, I have had a visit today from Mme. Oyama, wife of the Japanese Ambassador. She told me many interesting things and sang some native songs to me. She has promised to send me some native Japanese music. I sketched the story of the libretto for her, and she liked it, especially as just such a story as Butterfly’s is known to her as having happened in real life.”

The figure of Cio-Cio-San was not just a dramatic creation; her story mirrored the real experiences of many Japanese women in treaty ports at the end of the nineteenth century. The practice of “temporary wives” was a widespread and heartbreaking reality, making Madame Butterfly a reflection of historical truths as well as artistic invention.

Puccini’s music embodies the same mixture of reality and fiction. He painstakingly studied Japanese music, drawing from ten authentic melodies, while also constructing his own sonic image of Japan. His score blends these Japanese influences with Western musical themes, such as the inclusion of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Pinkerton’s first aria, emphasizing the stark contrast between the two cultures. The result is a musical language that both defines and separates Butterfly’s world from that of the Americans who enter it.

The tragic conclusion of Madame Butterfly is one of its most haunting and misunderstood aspects. In Japanese society at the time, jigai—female ritual suicide— was considered an honorable way to face dire circumstances. When Cio-Cio-San takes her own life, she is making a devastating but culturally significant choice, reclaiming her dignity in the face of betrayal.

With these complexities in mind, I have worked with the team at Lyric Opera of Kansas City to approach this production with great care and thoughtfulness. Our goal is to honor the extraordinary beauty of Puccini’s work while engaging with its cultural challenges in a meaningful and respectful way. We have worked closely with cultural advisors Momo Suzuki and Kevin Suzuki to ensure that our portrayal is well-informed. Our wonderful cast of talented artists brings richness to the performance, reflecting the vibrant, multicultural world we live in today.

We invite you to experience this production with an open heart, to be swept away by Puccini’s extraordinary music while also reflecting on the themes the opera presents. Madame Butterfly is more than just a story of love and loss—it is an opportunity for conversation, for understanding, and for appreciating both the timelessness of opera and the ever-evolving perspectives through which we experience it. Thank you for joining us for this special performance, and we hope it resonates with you long after the final note is sung.

Photo@ Michael Bishop

SYNOPSIS

ACT I

Japan, at the turn of the 20th century. Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy inspects a house overlooking Nagasaki harbor that he is leasing from Goro, a marriage broker. The house comes with three servants and a geisha wife named Cio-Cio-San, known as Madama Butterfly. The lease runs for 999 years, subject to monthly renewal. The American consul Sharpless arrives breathless from climbing the hill. Pinkerton describes his philosophy of the fearless Yankee roaming the world in search of experience and pleasure. He is not sure whether his feelings for the young girl are love or a whim, but he intends to go through with the marriage ceremony. Sharpless warns him that the girl may take the marriage seriously, but Pinkerton brushes off such concerns and says someday he will take a real, American wife. He offers the consul whiskey and proposes a toast. Butterfly arrives with her friends for the ceremony. In casual conversation after the formal introduction, Butterfly admits her age, 15, and explains that her family was once prominent but lost its position, and she has had to earn her living as a geisha. Her relatives arrive and chatter about the marriage. Cio-Cio-San shows Pinkerton her few possessions and quietly tells him that she has been to the Christian mission and will secretly embrace her husband’s religion. The Imperial Commissioner reads the marriage agreement, and the relatives congratulate the couple. Suddenly, a threatening voice is heard from afar—it is the Bonze, Butterfly’s uncle, a priest. He curses the girl for going to the mission and rejecting her ancestral religion. Pinkerton orders them to leave, and as they go, the Bonze and the shocked relatives denounce Cio-Cio-San. Pinkerton tries to console Butterfly with sweet words. Suzuki helps her into her wedding kimono before the couple meets in the garden, where they make love.

ACT II

Three years have passed, and Cio-Cio-San awaits her husband’s return at their home. Suzuki prays to the gods for help, but Butterfly berates her for believing in lazy Japanese gods rather than in Pinkerton’s promise to return one day. Sharpless appears with a letter from Pinkerton, but before he can read it to Butterfly, Goro arrives with a new suitor, the wealthy Prince Yamadori. Butterfly politely serves the guests tea but insists she is not available for marriage—her American husband has not deserted her. She dismisses Goro and Yamadori. Sharpless attempts to read Pinkerton’s letter and suggests that perhaps Butterfly should reconsider Yamadori’s offer. In response, she presents the consul with the young son she has had by Pinkerton. She says that his name is “Sorrow,” but when his father returns, he will be called “Joy.” Sharpless is too upset to tell her more of the letter’s contents. He leaves, promising to tell Pinkerton of the child. A cannon shot in the harbor announces the arrival of a ship. Butterfly and Suzuki take a telescope to the terrace and read the name of the vessel—it is Pinkerton’s. Overjoyed, Butterfly joins Suzuki in decorating the house with flowers from the garden. Night falls, and Butterfly, Suzuki, and the child settle into a vigil watching over the harbor.

ACT III

Dawn breaks, and Suzuki insists that Butterfly get some sleep. Butterfly carries the child into the house. Sharpless appears with Pinkerton and Kate, Pinkerton’s new wife. Suzuki realizes who the American woman is and agrees to help break the news to Butterfly. Pinkerton is overcome with guilt and runs from the scene. Cio-Cio-San rushes in hoping to find Pinkerton but sees Kate instead. Grasping the situation, she agrees to give up her son but insists Pinkerton return for him. Dismissing everyone, Butterfly takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honor rather than live in shame. She is interrupted momentarily when the child comes in, but Butterfly says goodbye and sends him away to play. She stabs herself as Pinkerton arrives, calling out for her.

Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera

Photo@ Michael Bishop

ARTISTS

YUNUET LAGUNA

CIO-CIO-SAN (Soprano) (Friday & Sunday)

Recent

Leonora, La forza del destino, Opéra national de Montpellier, Opéra de Toulon, & Immling Festival

Aida, Aida, Immling Festival

Elisabeth, Don Carlos, Theater Kiel

Upcoming

Maddalena, Andrea Chénier, Teatro Municipal de Santiago, Chile Mimí, La bohème, Palm Beach Opera

Mimí (cover), La bohème, The Metropolitan Opera

ANN TOOMEY

CIO-CIO-SAN (Soprano) (Saturday)

Recent

Suor Angelica, Suor Angelica, Berliner Philharmoniker

Mrs. Lovett, SweeneyTodd, Dayton Opera

Woglinde, Das Rheingold, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Despina, Così fan tutte, Detroit Opera

Upcoming

Tosca, Tosca, Florentine Opera

Ofglen, The Handmaid’s Tale, Detroit Opera

VIKTOR ANTIPENKO

LIEUTENANT PINKERTON (Tenor)

Recent

Luigi, Il tabarro, Opera Australia

Canio, Pagliacci, Staatsoper Hannover

Erik, Der fliegende Holländer, Fort Worth Symphony

Upcoming

Lieutenant Pinkerton (cover), Madama Butterfly, The Metropolitan Opera

Turridu, Cavalleria rusticana, Theater Dortmund

ALICE CHUNG

SUZUKI (Mezzo-Soprano)

Recent

Carmen, Carmen, Hawai’i Opera Theatre

Mother, Fearless, Opera Delaware

Amneris, Aida, Boston Lyric Opera

Upcoming

Laura Adorna, La Gioconda, Pittsburgh Festival Opera Suzuki, Madame Butterfly, Arizona Opera

Olga, Eugene Onegin, The Grange Festival

JARRETT OTT

SHARPLESS (Baritone)

Recent

Colonel Alvaro, The Exterminating Angel, Paris Opera

Samson, Samson, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence

Conte Almaviva, Le nozze di Figaro, Teatro Regio di Torino

Agrippa, Antony and Cleopatra, The Metropolitan Opera

Upcoming

Hawkins Fuller, Fellow Travelers, Seattle Opera

Sharpless, Madame Butterfly, Santa Fe Opera

SPENCER HAMLIN

GORO (Tenor)

Recent

Spoletta, Tosca, The Metropolitan Opera Pablo, TheTin Angel, Teatro Grattacielo Captain, Wozzek, West Edge Opera

Upcoming

Calaf (cover), Turandot, Pacific Opera Project

Monostatos, The Magic Flute, Santa Fe Opera

ALEX SMITH

PRINCE YAMADORI (Baritone)

Recent Fiorello, The Barber of Seville, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Pong, Turandot, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Le Dancaïre, Carmen, Charlottesville Opera

Sergeant of Police, The Pirates of Penzance, Charlottesville Opera

Upcoming Detective, The Gershwins®’ Porgy and Bess, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

CHRISTIAN SIMMONS

THE BONZE (Bass-Baritone)

Recent Lodovico, Otello, National Symphony Orchestra

Colline, La bohème, The Atlanta Opera

Lord Rochefort, Anna Bolena, Deutsche Oper Berlin

Figaro, Le nozze di Figaro, Wolf Trap Opera

Le fauteuil/L’arbre, L’enfant et les sortilèges, San Diego Symphony Zuniga, Carmen, Dayton Opera

ROBERT ELLSWORTH FENG

THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER (Bass-Baritone)

Recent Nick Shadow, The Rake’s Progress, Opera Memphis Giove, La Calisto, Opera Memphis

Mr. Baron, Lincoln in the Bardo, Chautauqua Opera

Benoît/Alcindoro, La bohème, Chautauqua Opera

Upcoming Taddeo, L’Italiana in Algeri, Hawai’i Opera Theatre

The Bonze, Madame Butterfly, Opera Grand Rapids

CHRISTINA GROHOWSKI

KATE PINKERTON (Mezzo-Soprano)

Recent

Noble Orphan 3, Der Rosenkavalier, Santa Fe Opera Marta, Iolanta, Yale Opera

Clarina, La cambiale di matrimonio, Yale Opera

Tisbe, Cinderella, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Upcoming

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

EVAN J. NELSON

THE OFFICIAL REGISTRAR (Baritone)

Recent

Mr. Gobineau, The Medium, Dramatic Voices Midwest

Charlie Parker, Charlie and theWolf, Cedar Rapids Opera Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni, Lawrence Opera Theatre Il Conte, Le nozze di Figaro, UMKC Conservatory

Upcoming

Chorus, The Gershwins®’ Porgy and Bess, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

ISLA EISENMENGER SORROW

Producer and performer of thousands of living room productions, the next generation’s Elsa in Frozen.

OLIVER PERSONETT SORROW

Lover of dinosaurs, animals, and using his outside voice indoors.

Photo@ Michael Bishop

KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY

MATTHIAS PINTSCHER, 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

Carter Coleman, Associate Principal

Kristin Velicer, Assistant Principal

Minhye Helena Choi

Mary Garcia Grant

Kazato Inouye

Rena Ishii

Paul Kim

Stephanie Larsen

Jinyou Lee

Sodam Lim

Ayrton Pisco

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

Maria Crosby

John Eadie

Lawrence Figg

Sally Kim

Meredith McCook

Allen Probus

DOUBLE BASSES

Evan Halloin, Acting Principal

Richard Ryan, Acting Associate Principal

Nils Aardahl

Lena Goodson+

Joseph Nuñez

Keith Wymer+

FLUTES

Michael Gordon, Principal, Marylou and John Dodds

Turner Chair

Shannon Finney, Associate Principal

Liz Teplitsky+

PICCOLO

Liz Teplitsky+

OBOES

Kristina Fulton, Principal, Shirley Bush Helzberg Chair

Alison Chung, Associate Principal

Matthew Lengas

ENGLISH HORN

Matthew Lengas

CLARINETS

Javier Morales-Martinez+, Acting Principal, Bill and Peggy Lyons Chair

Raymond Santos^

Trevor Stewart+, Acting Associate Principal

John Klinghammer

E-FLAT CLARINET

Trevor Stewart+

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

Elizabeth Gray, Acting Associate Principal

David Gamble

Stephen Multer, Associate Principal Emeritus

Benjamin Bacni+

TRUMPETS

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

Omri Barak#, Associate Principal

Shea Kelsay+

TROMBONES

Evelyn Carlson, Principal

Porter Wyatt Henderson, Associate Principal Joseph Maiocco#

BASS TROMBONE

Joseph Maiocco#

TUBA

Joe LeFevre, Principal, Frank Byrne Chair

TIMPANI

Timothy Jepson, Principal, Michael and Susan Newburger Chair

PERCUSSION

David Yoon, Acting Principal

Justin Ochoa+, Associate Principal, Adrian and Nancy Kay

Hertog Family Chair

HARP

Chai Lee#, Principal

LIBRARIANS

Elena Lence Talley, Principal

Fabrice Curtis, Associate Principal

DAVID T. BEALS III ASSISTANT CONDUCTORS

Luke Poeppel

Daniel Wiley

Justin White, Director of Orchestra Personnel

Elena Collins, Assistant Personnel Manager

Tyler Miller, Stage Manager

Mark Watson, Assistant Stage Manager

Kristina Banton, Lighting Designer

CREATIVE TEAM

ROBERTO KALB CONDUCTOR

Recent

Conductor, West Side Story, Houston Grand Opera Conductor, Siegfried, The Atlanta Opera

Upcoming

Conductor, La bohème, The Metropolitan Opera Conductor, El último sueño de Frida y Diego, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Conductor, Lili Elbe, Santa Fe Opera

E. LOREN MEEKER DIRECTOR

Recent

Executive Director (ongoing), OPERA San Antonio Director, Le nozze di Figaro, Wolf Trap Opera Director, Madame Butterfly, OPERA San Antonio Director, Acis and Galatea, Florentine Opera Director, La traviata, Opera Omaha Director, La bohème, The Glimmerglass Festival

NORA WINSLER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Recent

Choreographer, The Flying Dutchman, Des Moines Metro Opera Director, The Barber of Seville, Virginia Opera

Movement Director & Assistant Director, Orfeo ed Euridice, The Dallas Opera Director, Another Sunrise, The Atlanta Opera Assistant Director, The Shining, Utah Opera Upcoming

Associate Director, Pagliacci, Minnesota Opera

CHRISTOPHER ORAM SET & COSTUME DESIGNER

Recent

Set Designer, Frozen, Starlight Theatre

Set & Costume Designer, The Turn of the Screw, Santa Fe Opera

Set Designer, Quadrophenia, Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Set & Costume Designer, Alice inWonderland, Tulsa Ballet

Set & Costume Designer, Casanova, Northern Ballet

Set & Costume Designer, Madame Butterfly, Houston Grand Opera

DRISCOLL OTTO LIGHTING DESIGNER

Recent

Lighting Designer, Orpheus and Eurydice, The Dallas Opera

Lighting & Projection Designer, Macbeth, The Atlanta Opera

Lighting Designer, Cinderella, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Upcoming

Lighting Designer, Benvenuto Cellini, La Monnaie / De Munt

Projection Designer, Don Carlo, The Dallas Opera

Lighting Designer, Tosca, Oper im Steinbruch

DAVID ZIMMERMAN

WIG AND MAKEUP DESIGNER

Recent

Wig and Makeup Designer, Turandot, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Wig and Makeup Designer, La bohème, Santa Fe Opera

Wig and Makeup Designer, The Turn of the Screw, Santa Fe Opera

Wig and Makeup Designer, Rigoletto, Santa Fe Opera

Wig and Makeup Designer, Cinderella, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Upcoming

Wig and Makeup Designer, Carmen, The Dallas Opera

KEVIN SUZUKI

CULTURAL ADVISOR & MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

Recent

Cultural & Movement Advisor, Madame Butterly, Portland Opera

Cultural & Movement Advisor, Madame Butterly, The Atlanta Opera

Cultural Advisor & Movement Director, Madame Butterfly, OPERA San Antonio

Choreographer, Kamioroshi, Boston University

Choreographer, Dojoji, Carnegie Hall

Choreographer, Private Policy 2023, New York Fashion Week

MOMO SUZUKI

CULTURAL ADVISOR & MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

Recent

Choreography Advisor, Cathy and Chris Reed, USA Olympic Ice Dance Team

Cultural & Movement Advisor, Madame Butterly, Portland Opera

Choreographer, Kamioroshi, the Descent of the Gods, Boston University

Movement Advisor, Waterfall, Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre

Cultural Advisor & Movement Director, Madame Butterfly, OPERA San Antonio

PIOTR WIŚNIEWSKI

CHORUS MASTER

Recent

Chorus Master and Assistant Conductor, The Barber of Seville, Turandot, Cinderella, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Conductor, Maya and the Magic Ring, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Upcoming

Chorus Master and Assistant Conductor, The Gershwins®’ Porgy and Bess, Of Mice and Men, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

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 September 1, 2024–August 31, 2025.

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

RICHARD J. STERN SOCIETY

($50,000+)

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bruening

Virginia & Charles Clark

Shirley & Barnett Helzberg Foundation*+

Joan Horan*+

Ingram Family Foundation*

Mr. Edward P. Milbank*

Mrs. Carol &

Mr. C. Humbert^ Tinsman+

Mr. Michael Waterford

MAESTRO'S CIRCLE

($25,000–$49,999)

Ann Baum, G. Kenneth & Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund*

Mr. & Mrs. A. Joseph Brandmeyer*

James & Diana Cusser*

Dr. Gary Grunewald Charitable Fund

Ken & Marilyn Hager*

J.B. Reynolds Foundation*

Paul & Elizabeth Uhlmann+

Ms. Connie Walker*+

BEL CANTO

($10,000–$24,999)

Mrs. Raymond Backstrom

Mr. & Mrs. Lee Baty*

Mark T. Benedict & Dr. Kim Mongeau

Tony & Meredith Durone*+

Richard & Lauren English+

Dr. Melinda Estes & Dr. Harold Morris

Joyce G. Holland

Charlie & Marcella Huggard

Kirk Foundation

Jill Ingram Reynolds*

Walter & Gayle Richardson

James & Laurie Rote

Stephen & Dolores Schroff

John & Marny Sherman*

Mr. J. Michael Sigler*

IMPRESARIO

($5,000–$9,999)

M. Wayne Alexander & John W. Braum

Drs. Iván & Karla Batlle*+

Peggy & Andy Beal*

Matt & Kate Beem

Scott & Joyce Blakesley

Robert & Pamela Bruce*

Christopher & Lisa Cella

Nan Chapman*

Casey Claps

Rita M. Cortés

Mrs. Una Creditor

Elsberry Family Foundation*

Michael D. Fields*

Richard Gutknecht

Christina Hager & Neil Darling

Mr. & Mrs. John Hale

Yong Y. Han, M.D.

Ellen & Irv Hockaday

Beverly & Craig Kemp

Judy Kirk

Tom & Kathy Nanney

Don & Pamela Raffurty

Andrew & Brittany Robb

Jug & Rachael Stanovcic*

H. Wayne & Melanie Thompson

LYRIC OPERA ANGEL

($3,000–$4,999)

Andy & Kathy Anderson* Anonymous

Craig Armstrong

Gary & Suzy Bennett

George & Dara Bock*

Jerry & Meghan Carpenter*

Robert Claassen

Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Craig, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. B.J. Craig

Michael & Karen Douglas

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

Trudy & Jack Gabriel*

Kurt & Linnell Gretzinger*

Donald J. Hall Jr.*

John & Sharon Hoffman

Mr. & Mrs. B. Caleb Jackson

Mary Lou James & Jim Taylor

Dr. Robert E. & Dr. Rebecca Johnson

Deborah Sandler & Crosby Kemper*

Ms. Dana M. Koehn

Julia & Greg Malter*

Graham & Helen Marcott

Donald & Linda Milligan

Drs. Margaret & Barry Nickell

Edward & Chris Null

George & Suzy Pagels

Dr. Ronald & Donna Patton*

Dr. & Mrs. Joshua and Elizabeth Petrikin

Katie & Ron Petrikin

Ms. Lisa Flynn Pruch*

Dennis & Palle Rilinger

Michelle & Chuck Ritter*

Carmen M. Sabates & Doug Peavey

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Schellhorn*

Megan C. 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*

Jack F. & Glenna Y. Wylie Charitable Foundation/Midwest Trust/

Thomas A. McDonnell*

ARIA SOCIETY

($1,500–$2,999)

Ms. Sharon A. Barry*

Ann & Terry Bender*

Erik Bergrud & Kimberlee N. Ried*

Ron & Kathy Bremer

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Brown*

Richard & Nicole Browne*

Gerard & Judy Bukowski

Wendy Burrell*

Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Chumley

Patricia E. Cleary Miller, PhD

Dr. Suzanne C. Crandall

Mr. William J. Dickinson

Tim & Deanna Diebolt*

Randy & Edie Downing*

Peggy & Terry Dunn*

William & Eileen Everett*

Rev. & Mrs. William J. Fasel*

Ms. Ellen Feldhausen

Darold & Melinda Frenzen*

Dr. & Mrs. James K. Gentry*

George & Frances Gerritz*

Bruce & Kathryn Gordon

Steve Joss

Sherry Love & Michael J. Hunter, Sr.*

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mayer

Mr. & Mrs. John Middelkamp*

Barbara Nelson*

Debra & Allen Parmet

Joseph & Kelly Privitera*

Dr. & Mrs. Nelson R. Sabates*

Glen & Susan Sands*

John Scheinman & Anita Toby Grow

Betty C. Scott*

Ms. Suzanne Shank*

Juliette Singer & Ian Spinks*

Dr. Christopher and Lisa Sirridge*

Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Slaughter*

Barbara Spilker*

Ursula Terrasi & Jim Miller*

Mrs. Carol Tinsman

Howard & Irene Weiner

Jeff & Danielle Whitman*

Dr. & Mrs. John Yungmeyer*

Sophia C. Zetmeir

VIRTUOUSO

($1,000–$1,499)

Roger Bond & Victoria Hermes-Bond

Joyce Castle

Mrs. CJ Charbonneau

Vernon & Trish Church Podlasek*

Mr. C. L. Cocke

Donna Gould Cohen

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Copaken

Pat & Don Dagenais

John & Julia Duty

Anne & Howard Elsberry Family Foundation *

Steven & Carolyn Faenger*

Mr. & Mrs. Lafayette J. Ford III

Mr. Mark Gilman

Robert Haas

John & Bernice Hamra Foundation*

Ms. Lisa Merrill Hickok*

Gary & Liddell Hobin

Harold & Vicki James

Bruce & Cynda Johnson

Greg & Sue Chamberlain Klein

Mr. & Mrs. William Kort

Bev Leonard*

Mr. Andrew McDonald

Heidi McIntyre

Anne Petrie

Nanci Regan & Robert Lunn

Ms. Lucinda Rice-Petrie*

Kelton W. H. Smith

Jackie Spears & Dean Zollman

Linda Stevens*

Mr. & Mrs. Terrence P. Sullivan

Jeffrey & Alisha Walker

Karl & Beth Zobrist

COMPRIMARIO

($500–$999)

Bob & Ruth Abbott

Anonymous (3)

Richard & Emily Ballentine

Christopher & Sharon Bradford

Dr. Rita M. Burnett

Arden & Mary Ann Carr

Dr. Akin & Ayca Aktas Cil*

Craig Coen & Jeffrey Bellamy

Mr. H. Hurst Coffman

Dr. & Mrs. Steve Crouch

Pat & Liz Daniels

Roger Dirks & Cynthia Capellari

Mr. & Mrs. David Embry*

Warren & Jenny Erdman*

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Fenske*

Ms. Barbara Fessler*

Genee Figuieras

Connie & Antoni Firner

Mrs. Alexandra Phillip Fontana

Tresia Ann Franklin*

Dr. John & Hilary Fried*

Drs. Alexandra Golik & Alfredo Garcia

Michael & Judy Graf

Carol Grantham

Roberta Gumbel

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Hall III

Christine Hands

Charles & Barbara Haviland*

Dr. & Mrs. Edward Higgins

Bill & Margo Humenczuk

Jonathan & Nancy Lee Kemper*

Jolle Kirpensteijn

Ms. Kristina L Klug*

Jon D. Kowing

Ms. Margaret L. Lesher*

Jenny Manka*

Kevin Martinez

Ms. Ann McCray

P. Alan McDermott

Ms. Madeleine M. McDonough

Douglas & Nina McKenna

Kathy & Bill Migneron

Karen Mische *

Ron & Jane Nesemeyer*

Andrea Norris & Thomas Beisecker

Dr. Sieglinde Othmer*

Bill Pallucca

James Ralstin

Gigi & Gary Rose*

Thomas & Patty Ruehle

Bruce & Nancy Schall*

Mrs. Patricia Scott*

Lora Smith*

Greg & Ann Smith

Timothy Todd & Katherine

Daniel L. Turner & Carol Dziadik Turner

Mrs. Barbara Weary

William & Judith Webb

Joy Wheeler*

Deborah Wilkinson

Marcus Williams

Jean Wise

Mr. Steven L. York

Mr. Mansour Zarinkia*

CHORUS

($250–$499)

David Actenberg & H. Alice Jacks

Mary & Gary Adams

Ellen & John Aisenbrey

John & Janet Bennett

Mr. Arthur A. Benson II

Mike Brown

Jeffrey & Diane Buczkowski

James R. Cook

Dennis & Ellen Cooley

Cathy Daicoff

Jerry & Frances Daniels

Dr. & Mrs. John M. Davis

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew DeCocq

Joi Dickmann*

Jo Anne & Bill Dondlinger*

Laurie C. Eck

Mr. Kenneth Eiler

Jon & Avis Erickson

Mrs. Linda Ferguson

Olga Ganzen*

Richard & Winifred Gill

Ellen & John Goheen

Charles & Barbara Gorodetzky

Judge Jon R. Gray &

Dr. Valerie E. Chow

Michael & Carol Grimaldi

Mr. & Mrs. George E. Handley

Roger Hiatt & Patricia Haegelin-Hiatt

Mr. & Mrs. William Hirsch

Drs. John & Ann Kenney*

Jessica & Wade Kerrigan

W. Russell King & Susan M. Clevenger

Jerry Knoll

Mr. Jim David Koger

Mrs. Petra Kralickova*

Rodney & Margaret LaMothe

Drs. Douglas Law & Patricia Cox

Mr. David E. Martin

Michael & Marcy Mazzarella

Ms. Patricia Meads

Ms. Ann M Nigro*

Mark & Lynne O’Connell

Floyd Pentlin

Mr. John Pepper

Ms. Maggie Presson

Ms. Carolyn J. Price*

Scott & Jeanne Redick*

Edward & Charlotte Ronan

Richard & Beverly Rush

Mr. Jim Schraeder

John Schreiman*

Michael & Anne Shaw

Mr. William Smith

Deirdre Squires*

Ms. Melissa Stanfield*

James Staples*

Mr. Steven E. & Dr. Evelina Swartzman

Steve & Linda Taylor

Fredrick & Abigail Woods Tempel

Ms. Beverly Thomas

Ms. Suzanne Tipton*

Mrs. John D. Turner*

Mrs. Sandra Vogel

Dr. Stephen & Diana Whitney

Dick & Margaret Wieland

Robert Wilshire & Anne McDonald

Ms. Janis L. Yarnevich

Mr. John Younger

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank our valued community 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!

Asian American Chamber of Commerce

Kansas City

ArtsTech

Band of Angels

Center for East Asian Studies, The University of Kansas

Chicano Center for the Arts

Church of the Resurrection

Classical KC

The Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City

Cupini’s

Heart of America Japan-America Society

Hella Good Deeds

Kansas City Chinese American Association

Kansas City Chinese Association

Kansas City Public Library

Kansas City Public Schools

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

Kansas City Young Audiences

Kansas State School for the Blind

Kirk Family YMCA

Lawrence Arts Center

Latinx Education Collaborative

Lyric Opera Community Advisory Council

Mid-Continent Public Library

Midwest Trust Center

Moreno Denton Language Services

The Museum of Kansas City

newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble

No Divide KC

Notre Dame de Sion Schools of

Kansas City

Rainy Day Books

Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church

St. Mary Episcopal Church

The Russell Restaurant & Catering

Turn the Page KC

University of Kansas Medical Center

Victory Hills Baptist Church

Drs. Roger and Everlyn Williams

Yukari KC

Thank you to all of our school partners and Teaching Artists this season!

IN-KIND, MATCHING GIFT, & CORPORATE SHARE PARTNERS

A. Zahner Company

Baird Foundation, Inc.

Becky Minion

Colgate-Palmolive Company

Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Helzberg Diamonds

High Touch Inc.

Husch Blackwell LLP

Merrill Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Edward P. Milbank

Sanofi-Aventis

The Sosland Foundation

Spencer Fane Britt & Browne

Splunk LLC

T-Mobile

Wandering Vine at the Castle

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 September 1, 2024–August 31, 2025.

*Includes contributions to Lyric Opera Ball

+Includes giving to the Special Gifts Campaign

OPERA PRESENTING SPONSORS: *

LYRIC OPERA UNDERWRITERS

($100,000+)

William T. Kemper Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee

Lyric Opera of Kansas CityOur Next Act Endowment

Lyric Opera of Kansas City Endowment Fund

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–$99,999)

Mark Edelman Theater Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City

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

Hallmark Corporate Foundation

William T. Kemper FoundationCommerce Bank Trust

Lyric Opera of Kansas CityWilliam Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund

National Endowment for the Arts

City of Kansas City, MO Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund

Pemberton Family Charitable Foundation

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

Northern Trust Company

The Sosland Foundation

IMPRESARIO

($5,000–$9,999)

The DeBruce Foundation*

High Touch Inc*

CORPORATE & COMMUNITY COUNCIL ($3,000–$4,999)

Commerce Bank, n.a.*

Halls KC*

JE Dunn Construction Company

Orpheus KC*

R.A. Long Foundation

RubinBrown LLP*

CORPORATE & COMMUNITY SPONSORS ($250–$2,999)

Aristocrat Motors*

Global Tax Management, Inc.*

Kansas City Museum*

JoAnn Meierhoff Charitable Foundation

Missouri Humanities, Missouri Humanities Trust

Louis and Frances Swinken Supporting Foundation, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City

The Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Enrichment Fund

TruPay

Uncover KC

KANSAS CITY

Photo@ Andrew Schwartz

OCT 14-NOV 2

Copaken Stage

When the lines between predator and prey blur, the power of women’s strength rises from the shadows in this fearless adaptation of Bram Stoker’s iconic Dracula.

Follow the yellow brick road to magic adventure!and MAY 5-24

Spencer Theatre

SEP 2-21

Spencer Theatre

Indulge in a world of soul-stirring music and unyielding hope with this award-winning stage musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize- winning novel.

FEB 17-MAR 8

Copaken Stage

The ultimate family showdown is on in this new comedy hailed as “genuinely funny, topical, and heartfelt” by Entertainment Weekly.

SPECIAL EVENT! NOV 22-DEC 27

Spencer Theatre

Celebrating Gary Neal Johnson, as he prepares to take his final bow as Ebenezer Scrooge.

RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH FREDDIE!

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

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

Photo@ Andrew Schwartz

In Honor of Rita Cortés

Ann Baum, G. Kenneth & Ann

Baum Philanthropic Fund

In Memory of Ann Dickinson

Ann & Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation

In Memory of Jane Gagel

Dr. Gretchen Gagel

In Memory of Naomi F. Karmeier

Lois Harre Obermeier

Leonard Obermeier

Geri Harre

Garry Harre

Ruth Harre

Betty Harre Hasheider

Norb Hasheider

Connie Harre Blair

In Memory of Bill Kort

Lyric Opera Circle

In Memory of Lee McCaffree

Kirk Carpenter

Greg & Lisa Marie Schoofs

Jill Ingram Reynolds

Mr. & Mrs. Terrence P. Dunn

H. Jonathan Pratt

John & Robin Moore

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Brown

In Honor of Edward P. Millbank

Trudy & Jack Gabriel

Carmen M. Sabates & Doug Peavey

In Honor of Floyd Pentlin

Phyllis Klocek

In Memory of Carmen Celia Sabates

Carmen M. Sabates & Doug Peavey

In Memory of Mary Lou Sauer

Joan Huchthausen

Ms. Sarah Anderson

Philip & Janet Broaddus

Marsha Laner

Elisabeth Sauer

Marie Cook

Mary Obrien

Suzanne Baker

Ms. Carol Davis

Alana S. Greenstein

In Memory of Peter Sherrow

Phyllis Klocek

Photo@ Michael Bishop

BECOME A PART OF THE MAGIC

GIVE TO LYRIC OPERA OF KANSAS CITY

You can help bring the magic of opera to all of Kansas City! Your generosity allows us to:

• CREATE high-quality artistic experiences, through world-class opera, curated right here in Kansas City

• TRANSFORM the lives of more than 26,000 people every year with extraordinary music, artistry, and performances

• CAPTIVATE new audiences by introducing children (and adults!) to their first opera experience

• DEVELOP the next generation of opera performers through our nationally recognized Apprentice and Resident Artist Programs

EVERY GIFT IS MEANINGFUL

For more information about giving and the exciting benefits available, please scan the QR code below, or contact our Development Team at (816) 802-6056, or giving@kcopera.org.

GIVE NOW!

Photo@ Don Ipock

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

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 ninety minutes before every performance.

LYRIC OPERA PATRON SERVICES 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.

Photo@ Andrew Schwartz

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

Keri Fox, 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, Major Gifts Officer

Laurie Eck, Manager of Individual Giving & Circle Liaison

Elinore Noyes, Institutional Giving Manager

Melissa Trierweiler, Manager of Development Operations

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 Designer

Gabriella Swoboda, Assistant Manager of Ticketing and Patron Services

Ellen McDonald, Publicity Consultant

Ticketing & Patron Services Representatives: Catherine Cone, Baylee Dolph, Rowan Frazier, Josephine Meyers, Aimee McCormack, Dennis Pearson, Brianna Volkmann, and Ava Waln