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The upcoming season will salute the rich heritage of the Lyric Opera, and its performances in the Lyric Theatre.  The Daughter of the Regiment will be performed in English instead of in its original language, French, to recognize the Company's original policy of performing all operas in English.  

The final production of the season will pay homage to the Lyric Theatre itself by featuring the building as the backdrop for an all-new production of The Marriage of Figaro.  Director Mark Streshinsky's vision will showcase the theatre by staging a Figaro inspired by the operetta Kiss Me, Kate, where the production onstage will seem to take place backstage.  This staging will allow Lyric Opera Resident Scenic Designer R. Keith Brumley to utilize the Lyric Theatre in ways that have never before been attempted. 

Evan Luskin, Lyric Opera General Director reminisces, "It is hard to imagine that nearly 41 years after moving our productions to the Lyric Theatre we are planning our final incredible season here.   We invite members of the community to join us in our monumental journey as we bid farewell to the Lyric Theatre and anxiously anticipate the opportunities that await us in the new Kauffman Center."

Artistic Director Ward Holmquist notes, "I am pleased to have the opportunity to conduct three of our four main stage productions during the last season in the Lyric Theatre.  We should have a phenomenal season, as we have assembled some of the industry's most seasoned veterans to sing their signature roles alongside extraordinary directors.  We also continue our commitment to developing up-and-coming singers by casting the opera world's brightest emerging artists." 

2010-2011 Season
Carmen - New Production               
By Georges Bizet                                                          
Sung in French with English subtitles
Sept. 25, 29, Oct. 1, 3, 2010

It is hard to imagine the opera world without its smokin'-hot gypsy.  Carmen's cruel seduction, which brings a powerful man to his knees and pushes him over the edge of sanity, has been bewitching audiences since its premiere with the fiery flamenco inspired melodies in Bizet's brilliant "Carmen Overture," "Habenera," and "Toreador."

Director Bernard Uzan (Tosca, 2009) teams with Resident Scenic Designer R. Keith Brumley to create an all new production of this smoldering Bizet classic.  This smoking hot production promises to seeth with seduction and gritty realism.  

Emerging mezzo soprano Sandra Piques Eddy embodies opera's beloved bad girl.  On Chicago Theatre said she "makes you believe that a man would destroy his life for her." Alyson Cambridge (soprano), who received acclaim for her Lyric Opera debut as Mimì in La bohème (2008), will return to sing Micëla; David Michael (bass) will make his Company debut as the love-struck policeman Zuniga; and Kansas City native Doug Jones (tenor) returns to sing Remendado. 


Norma - Lyric Opera Debut
By Vincenzo Bellini
Sung in Italian with English subtitles              
Nov. 6, 10, 12, and 14, 2010

The Lyric Opera returns to the bel canto repertoire at long last with the Lyric Opera debut of Norma! Bellini's gorgeous score marries brilliantly with a story about a powerful woman forced to betray her sacred vows for love - only to be betrayed by her lover's infidelity.

After receiving critical acclaim for singing the title role at Opéra de Québec, Michigan Opera Theatre, and Minnesota Opera, Brenda Harris (soprano) sings the notoriously demanding role. Opera News raved "[she] had it all: unstinting intensity, brilliant high C's...and total dramatic commitment." Brazilian Luiz-Ottavio Faria (bass) returns to the Lyric Opera to sing Oroveso, after receiving critical praise for his portrayal of Ramfis in Aida (2007).  Laura Vlasak Nolen (mezzo soprano), a Metropolitan Opera regular, will make her Lyric Opera Debut as Adalgisa.  Director Christine McIntyre will return to the Lyric Opera after directing the critically acclaim for The End of the Affair (2007) and the world premiere of John Brown (2008). 


The Daughter of the Regiment
By Gaetano Donizetti                
Sung in English with English subtitles
Feb. 19, 23, 25, and 27, 2011

Marie is a pretty little girl with a pretty big heart.  When the orphaned Marie is adopted by a regiment of the French soldiers, laughter erupts. The heartwarming story is filled with catchy tuneful music, two handfuls of tenor high C's and one energetic singing tomboy.    

Director Dorothy Danner, who delighted audiences with The Pirates of Penzance (2009), returns to put her signature comedic spin on this Donizetti gem. Ms. Danner envisions so much humor erupting from song and verse that the entire production will be performed in English. Soprano Nili Riemer (who made audiences swoon as Mabel in Pirates) plays Marie.  The Ithaca Journal gushed Ms. Riemer "...appears to have been born to sing the title role..." The Guardian says that Victor Ryan Robertson (tenor), who will sing Tonio, "offers an appealing, well-defined tenor with plenty of energy."  Local favorites John Stephens (bass) and Joyce Castle (mezzo soprano); both of whom have received national acclaim, will portray Sulpice and the Marquise of Berkenfield, respectively. 


The Marriage of Figaro - New Production              
By W.A. Mozart                                                            
Sung in Italian with English Subtitles              
Apr. 9, 13, 15, and 17, 2011    

Mozart's masterful comedy is a fitting end to the Lyric Opera 2010-2011 season - the final opera in the Lyric Theatre.  The Marriage of Figaro was performed by the Company during its first season in the Lyric Theatre (in that day known as the Capri Theatre) in 1970. 

This hilarious opera features some of the best emerging singers working today - Opera News describes Sari Gruber (Susanna) as "a blazing voiced firecracker" and Andrew Gangestad (Figaro) has been hailed as "funny and puppy-dog charming" by the Arizona Daily Star.

Baritone Troy Cook (Count Almaviva) returns to the Lyric Opera having performed in The Pearl Fishers (2007) when The Kansas City Star noted, "the opera belonged to Cook."  Katie Van Kooten (soprano) will make her role and company debuts as Countess Almaviva, Thomas Hammons (bass) will sing Bartolo, and Korby Myrick (mezzo soprano) will sing Marcellina. 

Director Mark Streshinsky will return to the Lyric Opera after directing Julius Caesar (2008) to stage this all-new production.  Mr. Streshinsky's creative concept will turn the Lyric Theatre building itself into the backdrop of the production, a fitting final tribute to 41 years of opera in the venue.

For ticket information, visit www.kcopera.org or contact the Lyric Opera Ticket Office at (816) 471-7344 or toll free at 1(877) OPERAKC (673-7252), or visit the Lyric Opera ticket office at the Lyric Theatre, 11^th and Central Streets in downtown Kansas City. 

By KCM Staff