Lyric Opera Guild
The Lyric Opera Guild was founded in 1961 as the principal support organization for the Lyric Opera and continues to be active in a variety of activities and programs. In 2000 it combined membership with Lyric Opera League to become an even stronger force behind the Lyric Opera.
The Guild sponsors:
- Opera Previews given by volunteer Guild speakers beginning one hour before each performance, inside the theatre auditorium. There is no charge.
- At Ease With Opera, an award-winning program featuring speakers who appear at local public libraries in two series of presentations a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. The programs sometimes revolve around a particular upcoming production, but more often deal with a general topic in the field of opera. For more information contact Shannon Sundberg.
For information about upcoming programs, call Richard Byrum at (913) 341-4685 (evenings) or visit our calendar.
- Compact disc previews of the operas available twice a year (summer and spring) prior to each pair of mainstage performances. These CDs offer lectures and musical excerpts by Guild opera fans, and are sent without charge to Guild members at upper levels of membership categories.
- A quarterly newsletter, "Lyrical Notes," which also serves as the newsletter of the opera company.
- A special "Guild Room" in the Lyric Theatre where Guild members and their guests can meet and enjoy refreshments prior to the performances and during intermissions.
- A hospitality program for visiting artists.
- An opera video lending library containing dozens of titles, available for free to Guild members ($10 returnable deposit).
- A program to keep Guild members updated on advocacy efforts on both the state and national levels.
- A book of Lyric Opera and Lyric Opera Guild history, published in 1995 under the title, We Got More Than We Gave: A History of the Kansas City Lyric Opera Guild. This 76-page softbound book includes many anecdotes and photographs from the early years of the company. The cost is $10.00; to order, send a check to the Guild treasurer, Bob Baughman, 1102 West 87th Street, Kansas City, MO 64114.
- A Speakers Bureau, available for group programs throughout the year. Entertaining programs with musical excerpts are tailored to the individual organization, and can address individual operas the Lyric is performing, an overview of opera or overview of the Lyric, or the Lyric's season. For more information, contact Shannon Sundberg.
- A series of opera trips each year, with the purpose that opera lovers may see and hear the best in opera and musical performances around the country and world. Visit our trips page for info on upcoming trips.
The Bohemians
An extension of the Guild for operagoers age 21-40. The main purpose of The Bohemians is to attract a younger audience to the opera, as well as to the Guild. The second goal is to educate and expose people to the opera through informal talks, tours of the Lyric and outings to see other performances in the metropolitan area. For further information, please check the calendar for events.
Lyric Opera Circle
Founded in 1987, the Lyric Opera Circle is responsible for presenting the Gala Ball with a silent auction each spring. The annually held Lyric Opera Ball has raised more than $5 million for the Company. Monthly meetings include opera-related programs. Membership in this organization is limited and by invitation only.
For more information about any of the auxiliaries please e-mail us or fill out our online request form
