Lyric Opera of Kansas City

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City is an esteemed American opera company based in Kansas City, Missouri. With a rich history dating back to the 19th century, opera in Kansas City began with performances by traveling companies, with the Fiaries Great Comic Opera Company being one of the earliest recorded in 1868. These early operatic endeavors took place in various venues, including Frank's Hall, Coates Opera House, and Gillis Opera House, which have since ceased to exist. A significant transformation occurred in the autumn of 1957 when Russell Patterson, a young conductor and French horn player with the Kansas City Philharmonic, envisioned the city's first producing opera company. This vision materialized with the founding of the Lyric Theater Kansas City, which staged its inaugural performance on September 29, 1958, with Puccini's "La bohème" at The Rockhill Theatre. The company initially operated as a repertory, performing all their operas in English, and managed to produce significant works despite the limitations of the small Rockhill Theatre. The company's early years were marked by a touring tradition that took opera to various towns in Missouri and neighboring states. This era came to an abrupt end with a fire that destroyed the Rockhill Theatre in 1968, prompting a move to the Uptown Theatre and later to the Capri Theatre, which became the company's long-term home and was renamed the Lyric Theatre. In 1974, the organization officially became known as the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Under the leadership of Russell Patterson, who served for forty years, the Lyric Opera saw the commission and world premiere of "Coyote Tales" in 1998, a work featuring Indigenous music and stories. Following Patterson's retirement, Evan Luskin took over as General Director, ushering in a period of new productions and celebrating the company's 50th anniversary with the world premiere of "John Brown" by Kirke Mecham. The company's growth led to the establishment of a new production facility and administrative offices in the East Crossroads neighborhood. The opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in 2011 provided a new performance venue, and under the guidance of Deborah Sandler Kemper, the Lyric Opera reached new artistic heights. Kemper's tenure saw the introduction of the Resident Artist Program and the Explorations Series, as well as the commissioning of new works for education and community engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the company to cancel its season, but it quickly adapted with online and outdoor performances. The Lyric Opera continued to innovate with digital presentations and returned to in-person shows with the premiere of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" and "The Revolution of Steve Jobs." In 2023, the Lyric Opera presented the Kansas City premiere of "The Shining," based on Stephen King's novel, to sold-out audiences and recorded the opera for future release. The company's commitment to education and community engagement is evident in its new programs, including Opera Unlocked and the upcoming premiere of "The Haberdasher Prince." Lyric Opera of Kansas City is a 501(c)(3) organization, recognized for its contribution to the cultural landscape of Kansas City and the broader operatic community. Its history is a testament to the enduring power of opera and the arts in enriching society and fostering artistic literacy.