Lyric Opera of Kansas City proudly presents FOUR full operatic masterpieces for the 2025-2026 season. The season begins with everything you love about Italian opera: glittery bel canto fun in Rossini's Cinderella and the striking beauty of Puccini's Madame Butterfly. Then, in 2026, as the country celebrates its 250th birthday, we explore the American experience and psyche in Porgy and Bess, before ending the season with Of Mice and Men by one of American opera's most important composers, Carlisle Floyd.

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The deadline to renew and keep your seats is Friday, May 23, 2025.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SEASON:

Cinderella by Gioachino Rossini  

A magical opera with jaw-dropping singing considered a crown jewel of bel canto opera, Rossini's glittery version of the fairytale classic lets our heroine drive her own fate—no fairy godmother needed. It's not just beauty that wins the prince's heart (though she does get a stunning gown); instead, love and kindness triumph over greed and vanity. Rossini's signature mix of vocal virtuosity, lyrical beauty, and zany hijinks brings this sweet tale to life. At the same time, director Michael Shell amps up its playfulness with a Wes Anderson-inspired production that sparkles.

Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini  

Through a heartless marriage of convenience, American naval officer Pinkerton marries Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly), leading her to a tragic and profoundly unjust fate. A masterpiece of Italian opera, Madame Butterfly's lush score and timeless exploration of love, betrayal, and cultural clash soars with operatic grandeur. The enduring power of Butterfly lies in its ability to touch the deepest corners of the human heart, leaving audiences devastated.

Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin  

Presented for the first time in Lyric Opera history, Porgy and Bess is essential American opera. The source of some of the 20th century's most loved songs—including "Summertime"—this jazzy score is unforgettable and timeless. This masterpiece paints a vivid picture of life in the Charleston neighborhood, Catfish Row, where a poignant "opposites attract" romance unfolds alongside a powerful portrait of a community that unites in the face of tragedy and triumph.

Of Mice and Men by Carlisle Floyd  

We end our season with a powerful adaptation of Steinbeck's classic novella by the father of American opera, Carlisle Floyd. Of Mice and Men delves deep into the American psyche and brings to life the unbreakable bond between George and Lennie, migrant farm workers striving for the American Dream. Directed by Kristine McIntyre, our production uses projections to immerse the audience in Lennie's perspective, blending intimate humanity with cinematic scope in a gripping, tragic journey.