Opera soprano Carol Vaness will discuss her life and career in opera, including her part in Pavarotti’s last performance at the Met in New York, on Tuesday, February 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Truman Forum at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
Born in San Diego, Vaness launched her professional singing career at the New York City Opera, where she appeared regularly from 1979 to 1983. Since then, she has sung on the world’s biggest stages and collaborated with today’s foremost conductors in operatic and symphonic repertoires. She has appeared on numerous television broadcasts throughout North America and Europe and has compiled an extensive and distinguished catalog of recordings.
Vaness’ interpretations of Mozart’s dramatic heroines – including Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Donna Anna and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Elettra in Idomeneo, and Vitellia in La clemenza di Tito – have been hailed as definitive, and she has become especially identifiable with the role of Floria Tosca.
Vaness is the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation visiting artist.
A 6 p.m. reception precedes the event. Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 to RSVP.
An Evening with Carol Vaness is co-sponsored by the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
NBC Action News anchor Jeff Vaughn emceed the second annual Lyric & Leathers motorcycle ride benefiting the Lyric Opera on October 5. Here, Jeff poses with his wife Jaime and Opera Lady before the ride.
Last year’s inaugural Lyric & Leathers: Ride for the Lyric Opera was a huge success! Riders enjoyed a beautiful ride, scenic outlooks and delicious food from some of our Company sponsors. We are planning an even more spectacular ride in 2008 – which will be held on October 5 – and promises to provide an extended route, good company and wonderful food! Don’t miss your chance to ride alongside or chat with Artistic Director Ward Holmquist and Kansas City’s most influential business executives about hogs, opera and leathers! Visit www.lyricandleathers.com for breaking news.
On Sunday, October 21, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City became the first opera company to sponsor a motorcycle ride. Entitled Lyric and Leathers, the event caught the attention of motorcycle/opera enthusiasts (and potential enthusiasts to both pastimes) and all three television stations in the metro area. Here Ward has an interview with Fox 41 personality Meredith Hoenes.
