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A NOTE FROM DEBORAH SANDLER KEMPER Welcome to The Marriage of Figaro
The first opera I ever saw was The Marriage of Figaro. I fell in love with opera right there and then. All these years later, it remains, to me, the perfect opera. Later in this program book, you will find that our maestro and director feel much the same way about Figaro. Mozart gives us music of extraordinary beauty, but what makes this opera so enduring is how closely that beauty is tied to our characters onstage. Figaro and Susanna are trying to begin a life together. The Countess longs to be loved as she once was. The Count makes a mess of nearly everything, while Cherubino seems to fall in love every time he walks into a room. They are funny, flawed, and wonderfully familiar. Mozart lets us hear what each of them feels, even when they cannot quite say it. The production you will see this evening began with a conversation among my fellow opera general directors in Santa Fe. Directed by Stephen Lawless and designed by Leslie Travers, this stunning production has traveled throughout North America since its premiere in 2016. I am especially proud to share it with you. We built it here in Kansas City. It is a beauty. Whether Figaro is the first opera you have ever seen or one you have returned to many times, I hope you will luxuriate in the magic of Mozart’s character depiction. Listen to the moments when a joke gives way to tenderness, or when the music reveals something a character would rather keep hidden. That is part of the joy of this opera: every time I hear it, I find something new to love. I hope you will love it as well.
Deborah Sandler Kemper General Director and CEO
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 2026–2027 OFFICERS Anthony Durone, President Richard English, Vice President Mira Mdivani, Secretary Mark Benedict, Treasurer BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Iván Batlle Scott Blakesley Suzanne Bradley Richard P. Bruening Anne Elsberry Michael D. Fields Lafayette J. Ford Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.)
Christina Hager Kenneth V. Hager Mary Leonida Edward P. Milbank Thomas E. Nanney Andrew Robb Carmen Sabates Jug Stanovcic
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Photo © Dana Sohm
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RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAM
The Resident Artist Program at Lyric Opera of Kansas City is in its tenth season of supporting emerging artists, bridging graduate training with professional careers. Artists are chosen from a national audition to participate in a season-long residency and receive performance opportunities, coaching, and career training from industry experts.
BETHANY JELINEK (Soprano)
Soprano Bethany Jelinek eagerly returns to Kansas City as a 2026–2027 resident artist. During her residency in the 2024–2025 season, she made her mainstage debut as Diana in Cruzar la Cara de la Luna and performed in the chorus of Turandot. Jelinek performed with the Lyric Opera Learning Department across the Kansas City area as Querulous String in The Haberdasher Prince and sang the role of Maya in the world premiere of Maya and the Magic Ring. Most recently, she served as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Minot Symphony Orchestra. In competition, Jelinek was a national semifinalist in the 2024 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, the third-place winner of the inaugural Heartland Sings Vocal Competition, and the Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award Winner in the 2023 Dallas Opera Guild Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
NATALIE SWEENEY (Mezzo-Soprano)
Natalie Sweeney is a mezzo-soprano originally from the Chicago area. Natalie recently earned her master’s degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. At SFCM, she performed roles including Le Prince Charmant in Massenet’s Cendrillon and Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte. Natalie is also a passionate performer of baroque music, and she performed the role of Ruggiero in Handel’s Alcina and the title role in Handel’s Orlando with the SFCM baroque ensemble. Natalie was a 2023 emerging artist with Seagle Festival, where she crossed over into musical theater repertoire as Chava in Fiddler on the Roof and Countess Charlotte Malcolm in A Little Night Music. Natalie earned her Bachelor of Music—along with a Bachelor of Science in physics—from Michigan State University.
Photo © Andrew Schwartz
DAVID PELINO (Tenor)
Haitian American vocalist David Pelino brings his “powerful tenor” (South Florida Classical Review) to venues across America. In concert, David has sung with reputable arts organizations such as Bach Akademie Charlotte and the Illinois Bach Academy. His most recent concert debut was as the tenor soloist in Rachmaninoff’s The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom with The Thirteen. His versatile, lyric instrument has enabled him to be the soloist in other major works such as Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s The Creation and Lord Nelson Mass, Theodore Dubois’s The Seven Last Words of Christ, Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, Adolphus Hailstork’s I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil, and as the Evangelist in J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion. On stage, he recently made his role debuts at Lyric Opera of Kansas City as The Ballad Singer in Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men and Nelson in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. His other role credits include Don José in Carmen, Booker T. Washington in Ragtime: the Musical, Wesley Harris in Paul Moravec’s Sanctuary Road, Sam Polk in Floyd’s Susannah, Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, and King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Sponsored, in part, by Connie K. Walker.
JON DIRK ROSS (Baritone)
Baritone Jon ‘Dirk’ Ross is a recent graduate of Angelo State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance under the tutelage of Dr. Mark Covey. While at Angelo State, he performed the roles of Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas) and Papageno (The Magic Flute). Additional operatic credits include the title role in Gianni Schicchi with Chicago Summer Opera as well as appearances in scenes such as Malatesta (Don Pasquale), Marcello (La bohème), and Figaro (The Barber of Seville). He has also appeared with the San Angelo Symphony and the Permian Basin Opera Company. At just twenty years old, Ross received an encouragement award from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont competition. He has since placed first in the Southwestern NATS competition and second in the Young Artist Crossover Division of Opera Mississippi’s 2026 John Alexander National Vocal Competition. Summer training programs include the Mediterranean Opera Festival and Studio, AIMS in Graz, Chicago Summer Opera, and OperaMaya. He is a proud recipient of the Presser Scholar Award and the 2025 Schmidt Vocal Arts Alumni Grant.
The Resident Artists Program is sponsored by the Estate of Richard Hill, Charter Sponsor of the Resident Artists Program, and the Polsky Fund of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City Foundation. Community performances by resident artists are sponsored by the Dr. Mary E. Brothers Resident Artist Performance Fund.
Made possible by the John N. and Marilyn P. McConnell Foundation
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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. 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.
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.
Opera Book Club
This series invites readers to discuss books corresponding to our season, building community and deepening appreciation for the themes and stories found on our stage.
Opera Plus
Tailored for retirement communities, this program is designed to enhance resident connection to opera through education, engagement resources, and ticket discounts.
Lyric Happy Hour
Enjoy Lyric Happy Hour at Mineral Lounge following Lyric Opera matinee performances, featuring a menu crafted with rescued produce from Kanbe’s Markets.
Movie Screenings
Lyric Opera partners with Screenland Armour Theatre to screen movies throughout the opera season related to upcoming productions.
FOR SCHOOLS
Our K–12 education programs invite students and teachers to experience opera in classrooms and community spaces. 2026–2027 offerings include: • Maya and the Magic Ring—a touring opera for elementary schools • Mozart’s Mic Drop—a touring program for secondary schools • Student Dress Rehearsals—school groups attend the final dress rehearsal of our operas at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Learn more at kcopera.org/learning.
Lyric Opera’s K-12 Education Programs are supported, in part, by the Sherman Family Foundation, Lyric Opera of Kansas City William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund, and the R.A. Long Foundation.
Photo © Andrew Schwartz
2027 FESTIVAL SEASON JULY 2 - 25
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An Opera in Four Acts Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Words by Lorenzo Da Ponte
PRINCIPAL CAST Count Almaviva
Alexander Birch Elliott*
Countess Almaviva
Ellie Dehn
Susanna
Magdalena Kuźma*
Figaro
Christian Pursell*
Cherubino
Ashlyn Brown*
Marcellina
Margaret Gawrysiak
Doctor Bartolo
James Demler*
Don Basilio/Don Curzio
David Pelino^
Barbarina
Bethany Jelinek^
Antonio
Jon Dirk Ross^
* Lyric Opera Debut
^ Lyric Opera Resident Artist
The Marriage of Figaro premiered on May 1, 1786, at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria. Presented in Italian with English subtitles projected above the stage Running time: Three hours and fifteen minutes with one intermission
SPONSORED BY:
With public support from Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. The Marriage of Figaro is supported, in part, by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.
Scenery for this production was constructed at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City shops. Costumes for this production were constructed by Kansas City Costume Company. This production is jointly owned by Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera Philadelphia, San Diego Opera, and Palm Beach Opera. English titles were written by Jeremy Sortore. The Pre-Opera Talk speaker for this production is Dr. Martin Nedbal. Stage crew provided by IATSE Local 31 Wardrobe crew provided by The Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 810
CREATIVE TEAM CONDUCTOR
Rory Macdonald*
DIRECTOR
Stephen Lawless
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Stephanie Smith*
SET & COSTUME DESIGNER LIGHTING DESIGNER WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER
Leslie Travers Thomas C. Hase David Zimmerman
ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHER
Eric Sean Fogel
REVIVAL CHOREOGRAPHER
Caroline Dahm
CHORUS DIRECTOR
Sharon Bjorndal Lavery*
COACH/ACCOMPANIST
Laura Bleakley
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Rafael Toribio
PROPS SUPERVISOR LIGHTING SUPERVISOR COSTUME COORDINATOR WIG & MAKEUP CREW
Tress Katzenmeier Selena Gonzalez-Lopez Nancy Robinson Tristin Baro, Charlotte Gilman, Blaine Shepherd
TITLES OPERATOR
Sarah Zsohar
STAGE MANAGER
Alayna Powell
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
Ellie Brown, Jess Tibboles
HEAD CARPENTER
Kyle Deckman
HEAD PROPSMAN
Stephen Cochran
HEAD ELECTRICIAN
Dan McMahan
HEAD FLYMAN
Evan Suellentrop
HEAD SOUND ENGINEER
Grant Conrad
HEAD VIDEO ENGINEER
Walter Dunz
WARDROBE SUPERVISOR
Desiree Baird Story
WARDROBE ASSISTANT
Amanda McCarty
*Lyric Opera Debut
CHORUS SOPRANO
TENOR
Victoria Botero
Alexander Goering
Melissa Faltermeier
Trent Green
Kathryn Long
Kevin Thomas Smith
Kelli Van Meter@
Brian Sussman
MEZZO-SOPRANO
BASS-BARITONE
Madeline Friesen@
Josh Markley
Anna Patterson
Spencer McIntire
Jennifer Weiman
Evan J. Nelson
Emma WitbolsFeugen
Nathan Whitson
@ Past Apprentice/Resident Artist
SUPERNUMERARIES Hunter Eisenmenger Sarah Jeter Josh Keen Erin Klubek Mark Spencer Ernesto Suárez
Photo © Dana Sohm
HEARTLAND MEN’S CHORUS KANSAS CITY SEASON 41
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December 4-6, 2026
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DIRECTOR’S NOTES By Stephen Lawless Mozart lived in revolutionary times. The French Revolution that swept away aristocratic privilege in France occurred three years after Mozart wrote The Marriage of Figaro (sadly there is no mention of it in his copious letters). But Mozart, in his opera, was equally revolutionary in other areas. It’s clear from his letters that Mozart viewed marriage as the highest state of grace humanity can achieve on earth and in The Marriage of Figaro, he explores marriage in all of its aspects. Wedding days are notorious for the participants questioning whether they are making the right decision. The opera deals with this universal theme in that it chronicles the process by which Figaro and Susanna arrive to this state of marital bliss by shedding their lingering “dubbi i sospetti” (“doubts and suspicions”) and learning to finally and completely trust each other. It also deals with what happens when marriages go wrong, documenting the state of the Count and Countess Almavivas’ marriage with great perspicacity. The conclusion drawn at the end of the piece is that ultimately forgiveness is the only thing that is capable of resolving human conflict. Politically, the opera was literally revolutionary. The choice of Beaumarchais’ play as the basis of Mozart’s opera was a brave and subversive decision. It addresses the abuse of power by the privileged by highlighting the hypocrisy of the ruling classes. Napoleon called the play “the [French] Revolution in action.” Mozart, in his letters, had many run-ins with authority figures and clearly identifies with the sharp-witted Figaro, the original self-made man. It is to Mozart’s credit (and that of his librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte) that the opera is not simply a political tract but an Enlightenment endorsement on our universal humanity. In terms of the development of opera, it is a milestone. We have documentary evidence of what has made us laugh as comic drama has existed for over two thousand years but until the advent of film, we have never known how it was performed. Except we do because Mozart writes how the comedy should be timed and performed in his music. It became the template for the comic operas that followed. In Peter Shaffer’s play Amadeus, he has Mozart say that in Figaro he can ‘write music that is as fast as the speed of thought’ and this is literally true in the Act II finale. He manages to blend comedy with potential tragedy in a very sophisticated way. The Marriage of Figaro remains one of humanity’s greatest achievements. I hope you enjoy!
CONDUCTOR’S NOTES By Rory Macdonald
I am often asked the question: “What is your favorite opera to conduct?” Just as I would have difficulty in naming my drink of choice—I am from Scotland so would likely pick a smoky Islay single malt whisky—the question is almost impossible to answer. However, if you really pressed me, I would choose something by Mozart and, most likely, Figaro. This incredible masterpiece is still one of the most frequently performed operas in the world, some 240 years after it was first heard in Vienna, and it inspires me every time I conduct it. It has everything: biting satire and astute social commentary (the original play by Beaumarchais was banned in Vienna for being too revolutionary) as well as an extraordinarily broad emotional palette. The action takes place across a single day, described in Da Ponte’s libretto as “une folle journée” (“a crazy day”), and Mozart eloquently communicates to us all of that day’s joy, sadness, laughter, and anger as he introduces us to each character in turn, with music which switches from soaring melodies to pounding rhythms within seconds. There’s Count Almaviva and his servant Figaro: two big, clashing personalities whose solo arias often showcase their anger and frustration at being unable to control the chaotic events unfolding around them. Then there’s the Countess, whose two arias express feelings of deep melancholy and loneliness. Flirtatious and mischievous, the young page Cherubino provides comic relief and youthful energy, while the clever servant Susanna brings sharp humor and wisdom. When they all finally sing together, joined by an array of colorful supporting characters including a grumpy gardener and a pedantic lawyer, the energy transmitted from the stage is truly life-enhancing. This moment arrives in the finale of Act II, which is perhaps my favorite part of the opera. At twenty minutes, it is one of the longest uninterrupted spans of orchestral music that Mozart wrote, and he builds the tension like a master, gradually moving up the gears as more and more characters join the stage. By the final pages (just before intermission) the music moves at a dizzying pace, with terrifyingly difficult passagework for the singers and the orchestra going at full tilt. Mozart uses a relatively small orchestra but conjures the most vibrant colors from it - think of the daring originality of the quietly scurrying strings at the start of the overture or the infectious dance rhythms that infuse the score, from Figaro’s first aria (“Se vuol ballare”) to the Act III fandango. The melodies will touch your heart, from the Countess’s ravishing arias to the Count’s final heartfelt plea to his long-suffering wife, surely one of the most exquisitely beautiful moments in all opera. I couldn’t be more excited to share Mozart’s genius with you as I make my debut with Lyric Opera and the Kansas City Symphony with this wonderful piece, and I wish you all a wonderful evening.
KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY MATTHIAS PINTSCHER, Music Director MICHAEL STERN, Music Director Laureate
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 Chiafei Lin Yun-Chung Lin# Vladimir Rykov Alex Shum*
SECOND VIOLINS
Tamamo Someya Gibbs,
DOUBLE BASSES
Landon Honolka#, Principal Evan Halloin, Associate Principal Nils Aardahl Joseph Nuñez Richard Ryan Michael Zogaib#
FLUTES
Michael Gordon, Principal,
Marylou and John Dodds Turner Chair Shannon Finney, Associate Principal
Alejandro Lombo#
PICCOLO
Alejandro Lombo#
OBOES
Kristina Fulton, Principal,
TRUMPETS
Julian Kaplan, Principal, James B. and Annabel Nutter Chair
Shea Kelsay+, Acting Associate Principal
Hyojoon Park+
TROMBONES
Evelyn Carlson, Principal Porter Wyatt Henderson, Associate Principal
Joseph Maiocco
BASS TROMBONE Joseph Maiocco
TUBA
Jarrett McCourt+, Acting Principal Joe LeFevre^, Principal Frank Byrne Chair
Shirley Bush Helzberg Chair Alison Chung, Associate Principal
TIMPANI
Minhye Helena Choi Mary Garcia Grant Kazato Inouye Rena Ishii Paul Kim Stephanie Larsen Filip Lazovski+ Sodam Lim Ayrton Pisco
ENGLISH HORN
PERCUSSION
VIOLAS
E-FLAT CLARINET
Principal
BASS CLARINET
Principal
Carter Coleman, Associate Principal
Kristin Velicer, Assistant Principal
MingYu Hsu, Principal Duncan Steele, Associate 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
* Non-Rotating Musician
Matthew Lengas Matthew Lengas
CLARINETS
Raymond Santos, Principal, Bill and Peggy Lyons Chair
Javier Morales-Martinez, Associate Principal
John Klinghammer Javier Morales-Martinez John Klinghammer
BASSOONS
Ann Bilderback, Principal,
Timothy Jepson, Principal,
Michael and Susan Newburger Chair
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 Daniel Wiley
Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Chair Thomas DeWitt, Associate Principal
Maxwell Pipinich
CONTRABASSOON Thomas DeWitt
HORNS
Roy Femenella#, Principal,
Justin White, Director of Orchestra Operations
Elena Collins, Manager of Orchestra Personnel
Landon and Sarah Rowland Chair David Sullivan, Associate Principal
Elizabeth Gray David Gamble Stephen Multer # New Member
+ One-Year Member
^ On Leave of Absence
SYNOPSIS ACT I
Figaro and Susanna, servants of Count Almaviva, are preparing to celebrate their wedding, which is to be held later that day. Susanna, however, is concerned that the Count has been making advances toward her: she believes their bedroom is too close to the Count’s, allowing the Count to visit Susanna easily when Figaro is attending to the Count’s needs. This shakes Figaro’s confidence, but he leaves determined to confront the Count. As Figaro leaves, Marcellina, a housekeeper, arrives with Dr. Bartolo, her legal counselor. Marcellina is furious with Figaro, as he had promised to marry her if he could not repay his loan. Bartolo, meanwhile, has his own score to settle, as Figaro thwarted his plan to marry the Countess. Susanna scolds Marcellina and she leaves shamed. Cherubino, a young pageboy, enters and confesses that he is in love with the Countess. At that very moment, Susanna hears the Count coming and hides Cherubino. The Count enters and confesses his love for Susanna, requesting they be alone. Before Susanna can answer, footsteps are heard outside the door, forcing the Count to hide. Don Basilio enters Susanna’s room to speak with her about Cherubino’s desire for both Susanna and the Countess. Hearing this, the Count becomes enraged and reveals himself and Cherubino in the process.
ACT II
The Countess and Susanna are in the Countess’s chambers. The Countess is distraught over the Count’s suspected infidelity and prays for his affections to be restored. Susanna tells her of the scheme to catch the Count—Cherubino will dress as a girl and attempt to seduce him. As Susanna is dressing Cherubino, he tells the Countess he loves her, and eventually wears her down. Just as he is about to win her over, the Count knocks on the chamber door, claiming an anonymous letter informed him of his wife’s affair with Cherubino. The Countess hastily shoves Cherubino into the closet to hide him from the Count. The Count begins questioning the Countess about who may be in her room. When there’s a sudden noise from behind the door, the Count is skeptical of his wife’s story that Susanna is in there. Taking his wife with him, he leaves to get tools to force the door. Meanwhile, Susanna, who has reentered the room unseen and observed everything, helps Cherubino escape through the window before taking his place in the dressing room. When the Count and Countess return, both are astonished when Susanna emerges. Figaro arrives to begin the wedding festivities, but the Count questions him about the note he received. Figaro successfully eludes questioning until the gardener, Antonio, bursts in, complaining that someone has jumped from the window. Figaro improvises quickly, feigning a limp and pretending that it was he who jumped. As soon as Antonio leaves, Bartolo, Marcellina, and Basilio appear, putting their case to the Count and holding the contract that obliges Figaro to marry Marcellina. Delighted, the Count declares that Figaro must honor his agreement and that his wedding to Susanna will be postponed.
ACT III
Later that day in the great hall, Susanna leads on the Count with promises of a rendezvous that night. He is overjoyed but then overhears Susanna conspiring with Figaro. In a rage, he declares that he will have revenge. The Countess, alone, recalls her past happiness. At his hearing, Figaro is ordered to honor the marriage contract. Figaro claims he needs his parents’ permission to marry, but he does not know who they are. They eventually determine that Figaro is the long-lost son of Marcellina and Bartolo. In celebration, Figaro embraces Marcellina. Susanna, seeing this embrace, believes that Figaro has chosen Marcellina over her and slaps him. Marcellina explains that she is Figaro’s mother. Susanna joins them in celebration before agreeing to a double wedding with Marcellina and Bartolo. Before the wedding, Susanna tells the Countess of her plan to catch the Count. The Countess dictates a letter to Susanna to confirm their meeting. She tells her to seal it with a pin and take it to the Count, so that the Count will bring it with him to their meeting under the pines.
ACT IV
The Count gives Barbarina the pin to return to Susanna. Barbarina, however, loses the pin. Figaro finds Barbarina searching and asks what she is looking for. She tells him, and, feeling betrayed, Figaro vows revenge. Figaro hides as Susanna and the Countess arrive, dressed as each other in order to deceive the Count. In the dark, Cherubino enters and flirts with the Countess, who is dressed as Susanna. The Count arrives and dispatches Cherubino. The darkness leads to confusion as the Count seduces the Countess, believing she is Susanna. The real Countess enters and reveals herself. The Count, realizing his error, begs for forgiveness. The Countess, being kinder and gentler than her husband, forgives him and all assembled celebrate.
Photo © Dana Sohm
ARTISTS ALEXANDER BIRCH ELLIOTT COUNT ALMAVIVA (Baritone) Recent
Fleville, Andrea Chenier, The Metropolitan Opera King Roger, King Roger, Des Moines Metro Opera Sharpless, Madame Butterfly, Arizona Opera Figaro, The Barber of Seville, Opera Omaha
Upcoming
Schaunard, La bohème, The Metropolitan Opera Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni, Utah Opera
ELLIE DEHN COUNTESS ALMAVIVA (Soprano) Recent
Arabella, Arabella, San Francisco Opera Also Jess, Grounded, The Metropolitan Opera Soprano Soloist, Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Houston Symphony Estelle, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Metropolitan Opera
Upcoming
Dalinda, Ariodante, Minnesota Opera Alice Ford, Falstaff, Minnesota Opera
MAGDALENA KUŹMA SUSANNA (Soprano) Recent
Papagena, The Magic Flute, The Metropolitan Opera Bubikopf, Der Kaiser von Atlantis, New World Symphony Pamina, The Magic Flute, Teatr Wielki Opera Narodowa Tatjana, Eugene Onegin, Wolf Trap Opera Soprano Soloist, Orff: Carmina Burana, North Carolina Symphony
Upcoming
Euridice, Orfeo ed Euridice, North Carolina Opera
CHRISTIAN PURSELL FIGARO (Bass-Baritone) Recent
Thomas, This House, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Escamillo, Carmen, Seattle Opera Il Conte di Monterone, Rigoletto, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Upcoming
Guglielmo, Così fan tutte, Opera Oviedo Frédéric, Lakmé, Seattle Opera
ASHLYN BROWN CHERUBINO (Mezzo-Soprano) Recent
Dorabella, Così fan tutte, Tulsa Opera Mercédès, Carmen, The Atlanta Opera Elizabeth Cree, Elizabeth Cree, Music Academy of the West Eunice Hubbell, A Streetcar Named Desire, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Stéphano, Roméo et Juliette, Palm Beach Opera
MARGARET GAWRYSIAK MARCELLINA (Mezzo-Soprano) Recent
Esther Klayman, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Metropolitan Opera Gertrude, Roméo et Juliette, LA Opera Baba the Turk, The Rake’s Progress, Opera Omaha Queen Aggravain, Once Upon a Mattress, Central City Opera
Upcoming
Miss Benson, Lakmé, Seattle Opera Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd, Cedar Rapids Opera
JAMES DEMLER DOCTOR BARTOLO (Bass-Baritone) Recent
Alidoro, La Cenerentola, Boston Lyric Opera Benoit/Alcindoro (cover), La bohème, The Metropolitan Opera Doctor Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, Amarillo Opera Father, Prestini/Vavrek: Silent Light, National Sawdust Melcthal, William Tell, Boston Lyric Opera
Upcoming
Notary (cover), Der Rosenkavalier, The Metropolitan Opera
DAVID PELINO DON BASILIO/DON CURZIO (Tenor) Recent
Sam Polk, Susannah, Soo Opera Theater Nelson, Porgy and Bess, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Tenor, Langston Hughes: A Lyrical Life, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Ballad Singer, Of Mice and Men, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Upcoming
Unicorn, Maya and the Magic Ring, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Messenger, Aida, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
BETHANY JELINEK BARBARINA (Soprano) Recent
Micaëla, Carmen, Western Plains Opera Querulous String, The Haberdasher Prince, Lyric Opera of Kansas City 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
Upcoming
Edith, The Pirates of Penzance, Lyric Opera of Kansas City High Priestess, Aida, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
JON DIRK ROSS ANTONIO (Baritone) Recent
Aeneas, Dido and Aeneas, Angelo State University Gianni Schicchi, Gianni Schicchi, Chicago Summer Opera Papageno, The Magic Flute, Angelo State University Schaunard, La bohème, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Upcoming
Samuel, The Pirates of Penzance, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Cat, Maya and The Magic Ring, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
CREATIVE TEAM RORY MACDONALD CONDUCTOR Recent
Guest Conductor, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra Guest Conductor, The Barber of Seville, Glyndebourne Festival Guest Conductor, Philharmonia Orchestra Guest Conductor, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Guest Conductor, Royal Scottish National Orchestra Guest Conductor, Bath Philharmonic Orchestra
Upcoming
Guest Conductor, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
STEPHEN LAWLESS DIRECTOR Recent
Director, Semele, Theater Lübeck Director, Tristan und Isolde, Theater Lübeck Director, Don Giovanni, Opéra de Montréal Director, The Barber of Seville, Opera Omaha Director, The Marriage of Figaro, The Atlanta Opera Director, The Elixir of Love, The Dallas Opera
LESLIE TRAVERS SET & COSTUME DESIGNER Recent
Set Designer, Eugene Onegin, Opera North Set & Costume Designer, Salome, Seattle Opera Set Designer, Don Pasquale, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Upcoming
Set Designer, The Marriage of Figaro, San Diego Opera Set Designer, Eugene Onegin, Irish National Opera Set Designer, Kátya Kabanová, The Santa Fe Opera
THOMAS C. HASE LIGHTING DESIGNER Recent
Lighting Designer, Tristan und Isolde, National Symphony of Taipei Lighting Designer, Fellow Travelers, The Glimmerglass Festival Lighting Designer, The Elixir of Love, The Dallas Opera
Upcoming
Lighting & Video Designer, Turandot, Tampere Hall Lighting Designer, Fiddler on the Roof, Detroit Opera Season Lighting Designer, Cincinnati Opera
DAVID ZIMMERMAN WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER Recent
Wig & Makeup Designer, Rodelinda, regina de’ Longobardi, Santa Fe Opera Wig & Makeup Designer, Lili Elbe, Santa Fe Opera Wig & Makeup Designer, La bohème, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Wig & Makeup Designer, Elixir of Love, The Dallas Opera
Upcoming
Wig & Makeup Designer, The Marriage of Figaro, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Wig & Makeup Designer, The Pirates of Penzance, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Wig & Makeup Designer, Aida, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
CAROLINE DAHM REVIVAL CHOREOGRAPHER Recent
Choreographer, Premiere Work, Kansas City Ballet Choreographer, Premiere Work, Cincinnati Ballet Choreographer, Premiere Work, Louisville Ballet Choreographer, Premiere Work, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater
Upcoming
Choreographer, New Moves 2027, Kansas City Ballet Choreographer, Aida, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
SHARON BJORNDAL LAVERY CHORUS DIRECTOR Recent
Chorus Director, Thaïs, Utah Opera Principal Coach, The Pirates of Penzance, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Chorus Master, Genoveva, Bard Summerscape Festival Chorus Director, That Hellbound Train, UNT Opera Theatre
Upcoming
Repetiteur, Scalia/Ginsburg, Fort Worth Opera Conductor, Handel: Messiah, Winston-Salem Mozart Club
Photo © Dana Sohm
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, the Our Next Act Endowment, and Lyric Opera Ball of $250 or more received between September 1, 2025–August 31, 2026. *Includes contributions to Lyric Opera Ball ^Deceased
RICHARD J. STERN SOCIETY ($50,000+)
Ann Baum, G. Kenneth & Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund* Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bruening Virginia & Charles^ Clark Shirley & Barnett Helzberg, Jr.* Ingram Family Foundation* Andrew & Brittany Robb*
MAESTRO’S CIRCLE ($25,000-$49,999)
Ken & Marilyn Hager* Mr. Edward P. Milbank The J.B. Reynolds Foundation* Ms. Connie K. Walker*
BEL CANTO ($10,000-$24,999)
Mrs. Raymond Backstrom Peggy & Andy Beal* Mark T. Benedict & Dr. Kim Mongeau* Mr. & Mrs. A. Joseph Brandmeyer Tony & Meredith Durone* Elsberry Family Foundation* Dr. Melinda Estes & Dr. Harold Morris Michael D. Fields* Christina Hager & Neil Darling* Ellen & Irv Hockaday Charlie & Marcella Huggard Jill Ingram Reynolds* Beverly & Craig Kemp Kirk Foundation Walter & Gayle Richardson Stephen & Dolores Schroff Mr. J. Michael Sigler* John & Marny Sherman* Kent Sunderland & Hannah Snider Dr. Linda E. Voigts & Mr. Gene Voigts
IMPRESARIO ($5,000-$9,999)
Drs. Iván & Karla Batlle* Scott & Joyce Blakesley David and Suzanne Bradley Household Christopher & Lisa Cella Mrs. Una Creditor
Ann & Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation Michael & Karen Douglas Richard & Lauren English Bruce & Kathy Gordon Richard Gutknecht Mr. & Mrs. John Hale Yong Y. Han, M.D. Shirley & Barnett Helzberg, Jr.* Joyce G. Holland Joan Horan* Bill & Margo Humenczuk Judy Kirk Ms. Madeleine M. McDonough Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm Ms. Rebecca Minion* Tom & Kathy Nanney Edward & Chris Null George & Suzy Pagels Don & Pamela Raffurty* Michelle & Chuck Ritter* Carmen M. Sabates & Doug Peavey* Jug & Rachael Stanovcic* H. Wayne & Melanie Thompson Mrs. Carol Tinsman Megan C. Toal Jack F. & Glenna Y. Wylie Charitable Foundation/Midwest Trust/ Thomas A. McDonnell*
LYRIC OPERA ANGEL ($3,000-$4,999)
Anonymous Andy & Kathy Anderson* M. Wayne Alexander & John W. Braum Craig Armstrong Andy J Beal III* Terri-Ann Beckford* Gary & Suzy Bennett Erik Bergrud & Kimberlee N. Ried* Richard & Nicole Browne* Jerry & Meghan Carpenter* Nan Chapman* Robert Claassen Casey Claps* Craig Coen & Jeffrey Bellamy Marilyn A. W. & Norman E Gaar, Esq.*
Trudy & Jack Gabriel* Kurt & Linnell Gretzinger* Mr. & Mrs. B. Caleb Jackson Mary Lou James & Jim Taylor Dr. Robert E. & Dr. Rebecca Johnson Donna K. Kelly Ms. Dana M. Koehn* Julia & Greg Malter* Graham & Helen Marcott Donald & Linda Milligan Drs. Margaret & Barry^ Nickell Gerald & Elaine Nissenbaum Dr. Joshua & Mrs. Elizabeth Petrikin Katie & Ron Petrikin Dennis & Palle Rilinger Deborah Sandler Kemper & Crosby Kemper* Mr. & Mrs. Charles Schellhorn* Juliette Singer & Ian Spinks* Fr. Paul Turner Lynne & Carl Weilert* Deborah Wilkinson Dr. Edward A. Wortham, Jr. Dr. Michael J. & Cindy S. Wurm*
ARIA SOCIETY ($1,500-$2,999)
Gerard & Judy Bukowski Dr. Valerie E. Chow & Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.) Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Chumley Patricia E. Cleary Miller, PhD Craig & Dawn Evans William & Eileen Everett* Ms. Ellen Feldhausen Ellen & John Goheen Dr. & Mrs. Edward Higgins Stephen & BeaMarie Mayer Dr. Ronald & Donna Patton* Vernon & Trish Church Podlasek* Gigi & Gary Rose* Kelton W. H. Smith Clarence Simmons Laura Stanford Howard & Irene Weiner
VIRTUOSO ($1,000-$1,499)
Anonymous Ann & Terry Bender* Dr. Carol Blum & Mr. Steven Ray Wilson* Nancy L. Bosché Mrs. CJ Charbonneau Patrick Cohen* Copaken Family Foundation Jerry & Frances Daniels Pat & Liz Daniels
Bill Dickinson & Barbara Loots Jo Anne & Bill Dondlinger* Randy & Edie Downing* Peg Dunlap Mr. & Mrs. Terrence P. Dunn* John & Julia Duty Chuck & Joni Etherington Rev. & Mrs. William J. Fasel* Mr. & Mrs. Lafayette J. Ford III Darold & Melinda Frenzen* Dr. John & Mrs. Hilary Fried Philanthropic Fund* Charles & Evelene Gallardo George & Frances Gerritz* Mr. Mark Gilman Donna Gould Cohen Ms. Lisa Merrill Hickok* Gary & Liddell Hobin John & Sharon Hoffman Ms. Gayle L Hutchens* Harold & Vicki James Jonathan & Nancy Lee Kemper* Mr. & Mrs. Michael C. Kirk* Ms. Lori Laitman Bev Leonard* Nanci Regan & Robert Lunn Mr. Andrew McDonald Douglas & Nina McKenna Barbara Nelson* Andrea Norris & Tom Beisecker Debra & Allen Parmet Mr. John Pepper* Kevin & Jeanette Prenger* Bruce & Nancy Schall* Karen Seaberg Dr. Christopher & Lisa Sirridge* Kelle Snow* Dr. Gregory & Janet Starks Linda Stevens* Mr. & Mrs. Terrence P. Sullivan William & Mary Taylor Mr. Jonathan Thomas* Jeffrey & Alisha Walker Mr. John Walker & Mrs. Angela Walker* Clyde & Katie Wendel Jeff Whitman & Danielle Forpomes* Mr. David F Winton Dr. & Mrs. John Yungmeyer* Sophia C. Zetmeir Karl & Beth Zobrist
COMPRIMARIO ($500-$999)
Anonymous Bob & Ruth Abbott John & Janet Bennett Joe & Audrey Benskin*
Peter Bozetarnik* Christopher & Sharon Bradford Tanya Brown* Charles Bruffy & Donald Loncasty* Arden & Mary Ann Carr Dr. Akin & Ayca Aktas Cil* Mr. C. L. Cocke Mr. H. Hurst Coffman Dennis & Ellen Cooley Rita M. Cortés* Drs. Douglas Law & Patricia Cox Dr. Suzanne C. Crandall Dr. & Mrs. Steve Crouch Pat & Don Dagenais Dr. Michael De Priest & Ms. Barbara Braznell Daniel L. Turner & Carol Dziadik Turner Jon & Avis Erickson Steven & Carolyn Faenger* Connie & Antoni Firner Mrs. Alexandra Phillip Fontana Mrs. Brenda Ford* Mr. David S. Geiman Douglas & Ann Ghertner Drs. Alexandra Golik & Alfredo Garcia Michael & Judy Graf Carol Grantham John Scheinman & Anita Toby Grow Roberta Gumbel Christine Hands Ms. Joan Hennessey* Mr. Andrew Hsu* Dale Hughes Steve Joss Jolle Kirpensteijn Jon D. Kowing Ms. Margaret L. Lesher* Julia & Greg Malter* Mr. Daniel Mayer & Tina Maddigan* Mr. Carl McCaffree* Ms. Ann McCray P. Alan McDermott Pat Meads Mr. Pete Mirakian III & Mrs. Michelle Mirakian Bill Pallucca Floyd Pentlin Joseph & Kelly Privitera* Edward & Charlotte Ronan Ms. Lucinda Rice-Petrie* Thomas & Patty Ruehle Dr. & Mrs. Nelson R. Sabates* Julie Schwankl Daniella Sekula Mr. Jeff Simon Greg & Ann Smith Lora Smith*
Taylor Smith* Mr. Craig J Sole* Anthony Sorrentino Jackie Spears & Dean Zollman Mrs. Tina Sprinkle Kurtis Thiel Timothy Todd & Katherine Joy Wheeler* Marcus Williams Jean Wise Julian & Tasha Zugazagoitia
CHORUS ($250-$499)
Michael Abraham Mary & Gary Adams Mr. & Mrs. Lee Baty* Michael P. Bondi & Felicia Siragusa Bondi* Nathan Brown Mr. & Mrs. Peter Brown* William & Robin Buckler* Jeffrey & Michele Bullins* Mr. William Clamurro James R. Cook Dr. Courtney Joseph Crappell & Conny Crappell* Uta Cross Doug & Terri Curran Gerry & Cathy* Roger Dirks & Cynthia Capellari Mr. Robert Dorrell* Laurie C. Eck Mr. & Mrs. John Edgar* Mr. Kenneth Eiler Dr. & Mrs. James K. Gentry* Charles & Barbara Gorodetzky Allen and Gail Gutovitz Charitable Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Ken & Rose Hagen Allison Hall* Mr. & Mrs. George E. Handley Zack & Susan Hangauer Ryan & Pauline Henne* Roger Hiatt & Patricia Haegelin-Hiatt Mr. & Mrs. William Hirsch Dr. Judith G. Jacobs Ms. Raissa Johnson Mr. Nigel Jones Max Kaniger Mr. Gerald Knoll & Mrs. Dorothy Colgan Mrs. Regina Kort* Matthew Kutenr* Judy Manka* Shelley Matthews* Michael & Marcy Mazzarella Mark & Lynne O’Connell Aisha Phillipson* Joshua Powell*
Ms. Maggie Presson Ms. Carolyn J. Price* Mr. Brian Pyle & Mrs. Diane Pyle* James Ralstin, MD Courtney Raupp Lindy Rhodes* Ms. Suzanne Shank* Ms. Kristina L. Klug Sloan* Mareta J. Smith Egon Stammler Dr. Blair Stringfellow &
Dr. Judith A. Johnson Mr. Mark J. Stuecheli Ursula Terrasi & Jim Miller Andrew Van Der Laan & Rebecca Schwietz Mrs. Sandra Vogel Bryan & Jennifer Wampler* William & Judith Webb Gary Thor Wedow Jeffrey R. Witsken Ms. Janis L. Yarnevich Mr. David Zimmerman*
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank our valued community partners whose generous contributions 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
Kansas City Young Audiences Kansas State School for the Blind
Band of Angels
Kirk Family YMCA
Black Archives of Mid-America
Le Fou Frog
Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center
Lyric Opera Community Advisory Council
Center for East Asian Studies, The University
Mid-Continent Public Library
of Kansas
Mineral Lounge
Classical KC
Rainy Day Books
Cultivate KC
Screenland Armour
Cupini’s
Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist
Grünauer
Church
Heart of America Japan-America Society
The Bird Comedy Theater
Hella Good Deeds
The Black Repertory Theater of Kansas City
Kanbe’s Markets
The Museum of Kansas City
Kansas City Chinese Association
The Russell Restaurant & Catering
Kansas City Metro Arts Education Network
The University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City Public Library
Turn the Page KC
Kansas City Public Schools
Wayside Waifs
Kansas City, Kansas Public Library
Drs. Roger and Everlyn Williams
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Yukari KC
Thank you to all of our school partners and teaching artists this season!
IN-KIND, MATCHING GIFT, & EMPLOYER SHARE PARTNERS A. Zahner Company
Husch Blackwell LLP
Colgate-Palmolive Company
IMA Foundation
Evergy
Kimberlee N. Ried
Grünauer
Mildred’s Food + Drink
Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Nicole C. Browne
Helzberg Diamonds
Sanofi-Aventis
High Touch Technologies
Splunk LLC, a Cisco Company
OUR NEXT ACT ENDOWMENT Our Next Act is a transformative endowment campaign designed to secure Lyric Opera’s future by generating stable long-term income. The Our Next Act Endowment invites donors to leave a lasting legacy, one that ensures worldclass opera performances, meaningful learning opportunities, and community connection will thrive in Kansas City for generations. By investing in Our Next Act, supporters help build a resilient foundation that will sustain Lyric Opera’s impact far into the future.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GIFT BY HELPING US MEET OUR $1M CHALLENGE MATCH! Thanks to the generosity of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, every gift to the Our Next Act Endowment will be DOUBLED until the next $1 million is raised! Please help us unlock these vital funds today, and ensure that great opera remains in our community for future generations.
To make a gift to the Our Next Act Endowment, please contact Ashley Parks at aparks@kcopera.org or (816) 802-6058. We are proud to recognize the generosity of donors who have made gifts or estate commitments to the Our Next Act Endowment Campaign.
Anonymous Drs. Iván & Karla Batlle Ann Baum, G. Kenneth & Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund Matt & Kate Beem Mark T. Benedict & Dr. Kim Mongeau Drs. Douglas & Mary* Brothers, The Brothers Family Living Trust Joanne & Steve Burns Thomas & Mary Beth Butch Jerry & Meghan Carpenter Virginia & Charles* Clark Mrs. Una Creditor Ann & Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Terrence P. Dunn Tony & Meredith Durone Richard & Lauren English Dr. Melinda Estes & Dr. Harold Morris Craig & Dawn Evans Michael D. Fields Mr. & Mrs. Lafayette J. Ford III Francis Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Freeman Mrs. Caroline French Trudy & Jack Gabriel Ken & Marilyn Hager Christina Hager & Neil Darling Mrs. H. D. Hale Shirley & Barnett Helzberg, Jr. Joan Horan Richard & Kara Hu *Deceased
Ingram Family Foundation Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation R.C. Kemper, Jr. Charitable Trust and Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a. Trustee William T. Kemper Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee Mary Leonida William & Peggy Lyons Amy McAnarney Mr. & Mrs. T. E. Mccullough Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm Merriman Foundation Tom & Kathy Nanney Edward & Chris Null The Estate of Richard L. Pentecost & Edith Lee Pentecost Jeff & Tonya Poe Robert & Ann Regnier Victor L. & Helen B. Regnier Fund Andrew & Brittany Robb Carmen M. Sabates & Doug Peavey Mr. J. Michael Sigler Robert M. Suhre Foundation The Sunderland Foundation Steve & Linda Taylor Mrs. Carol & Mr. C. Humbert* Tinsman Paul & Elizabeth Uhlmann Ms. Connie K. Walker Thomas & Teresa Walsh Thomas & Loren Whittaker
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, the Our Next Act Endowment, and Lyric Opera Ball of $250 or more received between September 1, 2025–August 31, 2026. *Includes contributions to Lyric Opera Ball
OPERA PRESENTING SPONSORS:
LYRIC OPERA UNDERWRITERS ($100,000+)
Francis Family Foundation Lyric Opera Circle Lyric Opera of Kansas City Our Next Act Endowment Lyric Opera of Kansas City Endowment Fund Mark Edelman Theater Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City Missouri Arts Council Muriel I. Kauffman Fund for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City R.C. Kemper Charitable Trust and Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee The State of Missouri
MAESTRO’S CIRCLE ($25,000–$99,999)
Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee Carter Community Memorial Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee Dr. Gary Grunewald Charitable Fund of the Douglas County Community Foundation Hall Family Foundation Hallmark Corporate Foundation John W. and Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee Lyric Opera of Kansas City William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund National Endowment for the Arts Northern Trust Company City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund Pemberton Family Charitable Foundation Sherman Family Foundation William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee
*
*
BEL CANTO ($10,000–$24,999)
Cyr Family Charitable Remainder Trust Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation Lyric Opera of Kansas City Foundation Polsky Fund Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm* The Sosland Foundation
IMPRESARIO ($5,000–$9,999)
The DeBruce Foundation* Missouri Humanities Council Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation
CORPORATE & COMMUNITY COUNCIL ($3,000–$4,999) Commerce Bank Kansas City* Halls KC* High Touch Inc.* Husch Blackwell LLP* JE Dunn Construction Company R.A. Long Foundation RubinBrown LLP*
CORPORATE & COMMUNITY SPONSORS ($250-$2,999)
JoAnn Meierhoff Charitable Foundation Louis and Frances Swinken Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City Opera America The Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Enrichment Fund The Petrie/White Higher Education And Performing Arts Fund The Trudy Foundation TruPay
HONORARY AND MEMORIAL GIFTS Gifts made September 1, 2025–August 31, 2026
In Honor of Jim and Diana Cusser Mr. & Mrs. Michael C. Kirk In Honor of Beth Ingram & Jill Ingram Reynolds Laura Stanford In Memory of Bill Kort Copaken Family Foundation In Honor of Deborah Sandler Kemper Dr. & Mrs. Edward Higgins Beverly & Craig Kemp Edward & Chris Null Mrs. Carol Tinsman Francesca Zambello In Memory of Kevin Sweeney Ken & Marilyn Hager
Photo © Dana Sohm
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 25,000 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 Resident Artist Program.
EVERY GIFT IS MEANINGFUL
GIVE NOW!
For more information about giving and the exciting benefits available, please scan the QR code, or contact our development team at (816) 802-6056, or giving@kcopera.org
Photo © Andy Newbegin
Discover nature with us. Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
Conservation
Nature
Centers
1401 NW Park Road, Blue Springs 816–228–3766 mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods
Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center
4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City 816–759–7300 mdc.mo.gov/discoverycenter
OPEN SATURDAYS MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
|
MDC.MO.GOV
SPINNING TREE THEATRE
in partnership with Kansas School for the Deaf presents
Based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer • Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
AN ASL-INTEGRATED PRODUCTION
JANUARY 29 – FEBRUARY 7, 2027 Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center
SpinningTreeTheatre.com
SE A SON 22 2026/2027
& SO MUCH MORE... TheWhiteTheatre.org
Tickets & Subscriptions Available Now
Fantastic dry-aged steaks, classic cocktails and live Jazz nightly in KC’s historic Downtown saloon. 931 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64105 816-221-1888 www.majestickc.com
Featuring a Weekday Happy Hour and Classic KC Jazz
we’re retired art lovers with 15 grandchildren. and together we advocate for children in foster care.
WE ARE CASA VOLUNTEERS Steve & Janis E. CASAs for 1 year
Get started at CASAKC.org
GrandmasCatering.com
Connect with the world without leaving home Attend global community events: expand your international network
Host international visitors for dinners or short-term stays in your home Support K-12 education, real world learning programs, and student travel
Learn More & Join the Newsletter
www.globaltieskc.org
A World of Opportunity Starts Here FREE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
French Immersion K-8 | International High School
GrandmasCatering.com www.academielafayette.org
COOK. EAT. BOND.
ADULT CLASSES PRIVATE EVENTS
KIDS CLASSES TEAM BUILDING 4161 N. Mulberry Drive 7920 Santa Fe Drive
913-341-4455 kcculinary.com
GrandmasCatering.com
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.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING
LYRIC OPERA OF KANSAS CITY
Photo © Don Ipock
LYRIC OPE
SAVE THE DATE | Saturday, Ap
ERA BALL
ril 10, 2027 | Muehlebach Hotel
PRAIRIE STYLE locally made
jewelrybydesign.com 913.341.7100
HELP THE SHOW GO ON! Volunteer to be a supernumerary (non-speaking extra) in a Lyric Opera of Kansas City production. For more information, contact Sarah Zsohar at szsohar@kcopera.org, or by scanning scan the QR code below.
Photo © Andrew Schwartz
The very model of a playful pirate parody FEBRUARY 20, 26 & 28, 2027 Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts kcopera.org | (816) 471-7344
Hearts at war
APRIL 24 & 30, MAY 2, 2027 Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts kcopera.org | (816) 471-7344
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 ninety minutes before every performance.
GROUP TICKETS BRING A GROUP TO THE OPERA! Group orders of ten or more seats may be eligible to 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 Terry Thomas, Executive Assistant & Board Liaison
ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION
Brad Trexell, Director of Artistic Administration 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 Molly Fink, Development Operations Manager
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Gregory Campbell, Director of Marketing & Public Relations Amanda Schuster, Senior Manager of Ticketing & Patron Services Emily Stott, Manager of Marketing Mason McBride, Manager of Digital Communications Enrique Zabala, Graphic Designer Gabriella Swoboda, Assistant Manager of Ticketing and Patron Services Ticketing & Patron Services Representatives: Catherine Cone, Baylee Dolph, Josephine Meyers, Cole Turney, and Ava Waln
LEGAL COUNSEL
Wade Kerrigan, Husch Blackwell, LLP, General Counsel
TAKE CENTER
STAGE Connect with Your Audience this Season and Advertise in Kansas City’s Top Theater and Performance Venues. Contact Christin Painter at: christin@kcindependent.com • 816-471-2800 x218 • kcindependent.com
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