Lyric Opera postpones 2 productions, finds ways to present music despite pandemic
A giant puppet version of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” is just one way the Lyric Opera of Kansas City is getting around the COVID-19 pandemic, even as the two remaining mainstage productions of the 2020-21 season have been postponed.
Lyric Opera of Kansas City General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler announced productions of “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” (originally scheduled for Feb. 27- March 7) and “Carmen” ( for April 24-May 2), are now postponed until they can be performed safely.
“In the face of this uncertain and unpredictable public health epidemic, we determined that it was in the best interest of our patrons, our artists, staff, volunteers and musicians to postpone the rest of the 2020-2021 season until we can best determine that they are safe for all concerned,” Sandler said, adding that new programs will continue to allow the company to serve the community.
Opera, in which singers can forcefully spray droplets when projecting their voices, is a special challenge. Although the Lyric was forced to postpone its regular season because of the pandemic, the company is staying true to its operatic mission with several creative endeavors.
In addition to the puppet version of “Amahl,” the Lyric is taking opera to the great outdoors with its Soundscapes in the City series and embracing the brave new digital world with Opera in Eight Parts.
“We’re certainly not doing things the way we normally do them, that’s for sure,” Sandler said.
Sandler acknowledges the pandemic has had a “devastating effect” on the opera industry. Those who have dedicated their lives to the art-form — whether they be singers, directors, designers or musicians — have been forced to abandon their vocation, at least temporarily, and seek other employment just to survive.
“I don’t know what the long-term effect will be,” Sandler said. “As far as our organization goes, we have drastically reduced our size and our staff, but it’s going to take a while to come back. I think we can weather this year, but I don’t know how long it’s going to go on.”
Sandler says the Lyric’s ability to weather the COVID storm will depend on the generosity of the community. She’s hopeful that things will get better next year and is grateful that the Lyric’s two largest institutional funders, the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts and the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, have continued their financial support.
But Sandler isn’t taking anything for granted. She and her team have put their heads together to keep the Lyric Opera a vital part of the city’s cultural life. One way they’re bringing opera to the people is with Soundscapes in the City.
“We wanted to give service to our community,” Sandler said. “We wanted to use local talent, local singers and we wanted to have lots of partnerships with people. Our Soundscape series has been fabulous in allowing us to do that.”
These 30-minute, outdoor concerts have been taking place in locations throughout the city. The next one is scheduled Oct. 8 at the Nelson Atkins Museum. The second is set for Nov. 21 at Powell Gardens’ Festival of Lights.
“We’ll be going out there to do a holiday concert,” Sandler said of the Powell Gardens event. “I’m not ready to announce the names of the specific singers who will be there, but we’re feeling good about it. There will be holiday music and also some opera favorites.”
Another fascinating project is Opera in Eight Parts. This educational digital series employs the talents of eight singers and three local musicologists and is intended for those who say, “I don’t know anything about opera.”
“We’re turning into a film company,” Sandler said. “We’ve taken 400 years of opera history, and, believe it or not, divided it into eight segments. In each segment, a musicologist is going to talk about a specific period from music history, and then we’re going to have musical examples sung by one of our singers. It’s like opera history speed dating.”
The segments will also be accompanied by art from The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to create what Sandler calls “a feast for the eyes and ears.” Opera in Eight Parts will be sold at a modest price and schools will also be invited to use it.
The Lyric will conclude this tumultuous year with a work that is the epitome of peace and hope. “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian Carlo Menotti was commissioned to be the debut production of the Hallmark Hall of Fame series. It was first aired on NBC on Christmas Eve 1951.
As Sandler points out, “Amahl” has been seen by more people in the world than any other opera. Oddly, it hasn’t been performed by the Lyric since 1993. Sandler is rectifying that situation with a production that promises to be a magical experience for the whole family.
“I wanted to come up with something that would work in a socially distant atmosphere and would appeal to family audiences,” Sandler said. “That’s very important. Families need to spend time together in a fun, educational, productive, creative way.”
“Amahl” will be a safe alternative for family holiday entertainment in the absence of the Kansas City’s Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” which has been canceled this year. The Lyric’s “Amahl” will utilize giant puppets designed by Paul Mesner, and small vocal and instrumental ensembles will perform off stage. The opera will be performed in the Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building.
“I do so hope people will come and see ‘Amahl,’” Sandler said. “We’re following every possible protocol in terms of public health and safety and the opera is under an hour. I hope people will take a look at what we’re doing this year because it’s dear to us, just as much as what we put on the main stage is dear to us.”
▪ Oct. 8: Soundscapes in the City at 5:30 p.m., The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City
▪ Nov. 21: Soundscapes in the City at Powell Gardens Festival of Lights, 1609 NW U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO.
▪ Dec. 3-6: Amahl and the Night Visitors. Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building, 718 E. 18th St.
For more information about performances and the Opera in Eight Parts digital series, 816-471-7344 or www.kcopera.org.
For information about Soundscapes, kcopera.org/performances/soundscapes-in-the-city/
Kansas City Chamber Orchestra — Music in the Garden
The frost will soon be on the pumpkin, so it’s time to take advantage of one of the last outdoor concerts of the season. The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Bruce Sorrell, will present Music in the Garden, Oct. 11 at the John Wornall House Museum.
The Museum has one of the loveliest gardens in Kansas City and should provide a perfect setting for a concert of family-friendly favorites. Come early with your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a picnic with food from the Waffler food truck. Waffles, chicken and the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. Sounds like the perfect autumn evening.
Oct. 11. 5 p.m. seating opens and food trucks. 6 p.m. concert. John Wornall House Museum, 6115 Wornall Road. Free. www.kcchamberorchestra.org.
You can reach Patrick Neas at patrickneas@kcartsbeat.com and follow his Facebook page, KC Arts Beat, at www.facebook.com/kcartsbeat.
This story was originally published October 6, 2020 at 10:00 AM.