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Performance
3:03 pm
Fri April 19, 2013

Lyric Opera Presents Classic Comedic Opera

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Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Chris Carr as Pish-Tush, center, leads the village men in song.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Fans out, men of the Japanese village of Titipu declare, "We are gentlemen of Japan."
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Chris Carr as Pish-Tush, (from left) Joshua Kohl, as Nanki-Poo, and David Kravitz, as Poo-Bah, advise Nanki-Poo not to pursue his beloved Yum-Yum.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"You must not woo. It will not do, " says David Kravitz, as Poo-Bah.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Behold the Lord High Executioner, Ko-Ko, played by Robert Gibby Brand, enters brandishing an axe.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Robert Gibby Brand plays Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, reading his list of people who will not be missed.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
As the holder of many high offices, David Kravitz, as Poo-Bah advises Ko-Ko, played by Robert Gibby Brand, on his upcoming wedding plans.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Yum-Yum, played by Sarah Jane McMahon, arrives to much fanfare.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Yum-Yum, played by Sarah Jane McMahon, received a kiss from her soon-to-be-husband Ko-Ko, played by Robert Gibby Brand.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
David Kravitz, as Poo-Bah, protests as he is kissed by ladies of the village of Titipu.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Joshua Kohl, as Nanki-Poo, woos Yum-Yum, played by Sarah Jane McMahon. As they talk, Nanki-Poo reveals his secret to Yum-Yum. He is the son and heir of the Mikado.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Reading an order from the great Mikado, Ruler of Japan, Ko-Ko, played by Robert Gibby Brand, (from left) and David Kravitz, as Poo-Bah, Chris Carr as Pish-Tush, discover that a citizen must be executed.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Ko-Ko is declared to be the most convenient choice for the execution. But Koko, played by Robert Gibby Brand, suggests that it would be, "Extremely difficult, not to say dangerous", for him to attempt to execute himself.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Koko, played by Robert Gibby Brand, schemes to wed the two lovers for one month. Nanki-Poo, at the end of the month must face the executioner.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
On the eve of the wedding, Katisha, played by Denyce Graves, attempts to disrupt the wedding by taking the groom for herself, but is foiled by Pitti-Sing, played by Elizabeth Tredent.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Denyce Graves, as Katisha, vows to return.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
On Yum-Yum's wedding day, Elizabeth Tredent, as Pitti-Sing, (from left) Sarah Jane McMahon, as Yum-Yum, Joshua Kohl, as Nanki-Poo, and Etta Fung, as Peep-Bo, are distraught remembering that Nanki-Poo is condemned to death.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Sarah Jane McMahon, as Yum-Yum, prepares for the wedding.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Denyce Graves, as Katisha, returns to to the village of Titipu with Dale Travis, as The Mikado.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Ruler of Japan The Mikado arrives in search of his son.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Dale Travis, as The Mikado, is told that his son has been executed.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Believing that her beloved Nanki-Poo has been executed by Ko-Ko, Denyce Graves, as Katisha, takes out her anger on Ko-Ko, played by Robert Gibby Brand. Ko-Ko throws himself on her mercy.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
In the end, the execution was a hoax. The citizens of Titipu join together in celebration.
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Love conquers all in "The Mikado," a comic opera by Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert introduced in London in 1885. The Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents the satirical comedy in five performances through April 28.

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Performance
5:37 am
Wed March 6, 2013

[VIDEO] 'The Flying Dutchman' Captain Cursed To Sail The High Seas

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Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Richard Paul Fink, as the cursed captain.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Richard Paul Fink, as the Dutchman.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Richard Paul Fink, as the Dutchman, and Melissa Citro, as Senta.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
The Cursed 'Flying Dutchman'
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"The Flying Dutchman" is an early opera by Richard Wagner. And, like many of Wagner's later works, it's rooted in myth. The Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents this tale of a ghost captain, cursed to roam the high seas. Every seven years, the captain goes ashore – and if he finds true love, he’ll be released from the curse.

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Opera
5:27 pm
Sat January 26, 2013

Composer Kirke Mechem On Realizing What Opera Could Be

Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Composer Kirke Mechem, Murphy Hall library, University of Kansas.
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Composer Kirke Mechem grew up in Topeka, Kansas, but he's lived in San Francisco since 1963. He says he still considers himself a Midwesterner: "You can take the boy out of Kansas, but you can never take Kansas out of the boy."

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Performance
3:38 pm
Fri September 14, 2012

Cultures Collide In 'Madama Butterfly' At The Lyric Opera

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Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
The geisha Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, reveals herself to Lt. B. F. Pinkerton on their wedding day in Nagasaki, Japan.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, played by Elizabeth Caballero, arrives with much fanfare on her wedding day.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San's uncle Yakuside, played by Jonathan Thomas, curses Cio-Cio-San for renouncing her ancestral religion and marrying Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, played by Dinyar Vania.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, played by Dinyar Vania, draws his sword on Cio-Cio-San's uncle Yakuside, played by Jonathan Thomas.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, flirts with Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, played by Dinyar Vania.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, and Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, played by Dinyar Vania, celebrate their wedding day.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, played by Dinyar Vania, comforts Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, on their wedding night.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, and Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, played by Dinyar Vania, sing of their love together on their wedding day.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, and Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, played by Dinyar Vania, sing in the moonlight on their wedding night.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, and Suzuki, played by Elizabeth Tredent, patiently await the return of Lt. B. F. Pinkerton after an absence of three years.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, holds a letter from her husband Lt. B. F. Pinkerton.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, embraces her son Sorrow, played by Nick Rohaus.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, sings of her love for her long absent husband Lt. B. F. Pinkerton.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly, played by Elizabeth Caballero, is overcome with emotion upon learning of the return of her long absent husband Lt. B. F. Pinkerton.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Upon his return to Nagasaki, Lt. B. F. Pinkerton played by Dinyar Vania, holds a flower Cio-Cio-San used to decorate their home. Pinkerton, however, has only returned to take their son back to America.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Sharpless, U.S. consul, played by Weston Hurt, (from left) greets Lt. B. F. Pinkerton played by Dinyar Vania, on his return to Nagasaki.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Sharpless, U.S. consul, played by Weston Hurt, (from left) and Kate Pinkerton, played by Angela Gribble, attempt to convince Cio-Cio-San, played by Elizabeth Caballero to give them her son to raise in America.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, played by Elizabeth Caballero, prepares to commit suicide in her sorrow at losing both her son and husband, and so that she may die with honor.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, played by Elizabeth Caballero, bids goodbye to her son Sorrow, played by Nick Rohaus.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Cio-Cio-San, played by Elizabeth Caballero, commits suicide.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Lt. B. F. Pinkerton played by Dinyar Vania, arrives too late to save Cio-Cio-San, played by Elizabeth Caballero.
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The tragic tale of love and betrayal marks the return of soprano Elizabeth Caballero to the Lyric Opera as the title character in "Madama Butterfly." Cabellero performed the role of Liù, a slave girl, in the Lyric's production of "Turandot" in 2011. 

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Performance
4:36 pm
Fri September 7, 2012

Lyric Opera Officially Opens New Center

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Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Recently retired general director Evan Luskin and Artistic Director Ward Holmquist prepare to cut the ribbon.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
The production building is named for longtime supporters, Michael and Ginger Frost.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
The administration building is named for patron Beth Ingram.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Inside the set vault, where the company stores props and 10 - 12 sets for operas like La bohème.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
A dragon greets visitors as they step inside the set vault in the production building.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Decorative elements on the ceiling in the production building.
Credit Aaron Lindberg / courtesy of Lyric Opera of Kansas City
General Director Deborah Sandler says the new center is "a declaration of where we want to go and who we want to be."
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The Lyric Opera of Kansas City on Friday marked the official opening of its new $10.5 million, two-building facility in the Crossroads Arts District.

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Up to Date
5:25 pm
Wed April 25, 2012

Kansas City's Lyric Opera Changes Leadership

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Retiring Lyric Opera of Kansas City General Manager Evan Luskin
Incoming Lyric Opera director Deborah Sandler
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Changes are happening at Kansas City’s Lyric Opera. Its general director, Evan Luskin, is retiring next month after 26 years with the company. 

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Headlines
7:31 am
Fri March 9, 2012

Top Of The Morning News: Friday, March 9, 2012

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A daily digest of headlines from KCUR.

  • UMKC Business School Breaks Ground
  • Kansas Republicans Ready For Caucuses
  • Missouri House Votes to Protect Gun Owners
  • Workplace Discrimination Bill Heads To Governor Nixon
  • Opera Explores Nixon’s Visit To China
  • A Fan's Notes: The Madness of March

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Opera/Performance
5:00 am
Fri March 9, 2012

Opera Explores Tensions And Symbolism In Nixon's Visit To China

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Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Supertitles (text of the lyrics) will be provided during performances of "Nixon in China" as pictured here during the dress rehearsal.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: Cast members anticipate the beginning of the ballet.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: Director Michael Cavanagh and Richard Paul Fink (as Kissinger as brutal landlord Lao Szu) demonstrate hip thrusts.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: Richard Paul Fink (as Kissinger as brutal landlord Lao Szu) and Nadia Iozzo (as peasant Wu Ching-Hua).
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: A tableau in the revolutionary ballet.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: Richard Nixon (James Maddalena) and Pat Nixon (Maria Kanyova) try to intervene to help the peasant girl in the ballet (played by Nadia Iozzo).
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: The Nixons (Maria Kanyova and James Maddalena) and dancers in the revolutionary ballet (Logan Pachciarz and Nadia Iozzo) look to director Michael Cavanagh.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: Richard Nixon (James Maddalena) and Pat Nixon (Maria Kanyova) share a moment at a recent rehearsal at the Lyric's Opera Center.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: Artistic Directors Bill Whitener (Kansas City Ballet) and Ward Holmquist (Lyric Opera of Kansas City) observe a recent rehearsal.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: Company dancers check in with Kansas City Ballet's Bill Whitener, dance choreographer for "Nixon in China."
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Scenes from a rehearsal: Kansas City Ballet dancers rehearse the revolutionary ballet in "Nixon in China." Director Michael Cavanagh, pictured at right.
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It’s difficult today to imagine a time when the United States and China didn’t have trade relations or communicate at all. But, in 1972, President Richard Nixon’s visit to China, a once-demonized Communist regime, was heralded as “the week that changed the world.”

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