Lyric Opera of Kansas City at Fort Leavenworth
October 15, 2005

Lyric Opera of Kansas City developed a program that looked at military themes in opera and musical theater from a civilian perspective - that of the composer. A narrator spoke between songs, setting the scene and explaining how the military figured into each opera or musical theater work. This strategy resonated well with the military audience and ensured a great success.

Highlights included "A Letter from Sullivan Ballou," an aria based on the touching text of a letter from a Union Army soldier to his wife in 1861. The singer is the soprano, and the aria unfolds as she sings her husband's words. "Bring Him Home" from the musical Les Miserables also had the audience other edge of their seats - you could have heard a pin drop during the final few bars of music when the tenor carries one solitary high note that eventually fades away.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City performs at Fort Leavenworth. Photo courtesy of Fort Leavenworth.

On the lighter side, in the "Urchin's Chorus" from Carmen, a youth chorus imitated their impression of soldiers. This elicited laughter and applause from the audience. Laughter also ensued during "Non piu andrai" from Le Nozze di Figaro as Cherubino groaned under the weight of a backpack, gun, and sword as he prepared for what life in the military would be like.

The inclusion of the Lyric Opera Children's Chorus as well as members of the Fort Leavenworth Community Chorus at various parts during the performance were also notable aspects of this unique evening.

Concert program (PDF)(38K)

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