KCMETROPOLIS.org
Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

The month of March is full to the brim of fantastic choral and vocal performances. The following listings are only some of the highlighted performances over the next two weeks. For a complete listing of performances in our area, visit our full performing arts calendar.


Lyric Opera of Kansas City
La Traviata
by Giuseppe Verdi
Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 20 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.
Lyric Theater,
11th & Central, Downtown Kansas City, MO

In the operatic genre, Verdi is the reigning king. His spellbinding tragedy, La Traviata, gives new meaning to the idea of being hopelessly in love. The heartfelt work takes us through the entire emotional spectrum from romantic bliss to eternal anguish. Metropolitan Opera star Mary Dunleavy (Violetta), who has received rave reviews for her performance, will lead the cast. The opera will be sung in Italian with English subtitles.

For tickets call 816-471-7344 or online at www.kcopera.org

The Liberty Symphony Orchestra
Touch of Classical Concert
featuring countertenor Jay Carter and pianist Ann Lewis
Monday, March 16 at 7:00 pm
Corbin Theatre Company
15 North Water St., Liberty, MO

Benefitting Harvesters, rising star Jay Carter will sing arias and art songs with the help of pianist Ann Lewis. Music by Purcell, Dowland, Brahms, Schubert, Mozart, and Handel will be presented.

Seating is very limited. Tickets are available at the door or by phone at 816-792-3200.

The Conservatory of Music at UMKC
Conservatory Choral Ensembles:
Canticum Novum, Bella Voce and the Conservatory Concert Choir
Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 pm
Village Presbyterian Church, 67th and Mission, Prairie Village KS

This choral concert, benefitting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, will feature Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, Vaughan Williams' Four Mystical Songs, Ives' The Circus Band, and music by Britten, Belmont, Palestrina, Jennings and Handel.

Free admission, but donations to the Komen Foundation are gratefully accepted.

The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD
Madama Butterfly
by G. Puccini (Encore presentations)
Featuring Cristina Gallardo-Domâs and Marcello Giordani
Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00 pm
Thursday, March 19 at 1:00 pm


The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD is continuing their successful run of live broadcasts this year. The Met will transmit a total of eleven live and ten encore events this season from September to May.

Don't miss the excitement of experiencing the Met on the big screen. Cristina Gallardo-Domas, the original Butterfly of the production when it opened the 2006-07 season, returns to the title role of the late Anthony Minghella's stunning production, a classic of the new Met repertory.

For ticket information visit www.fathomevents.com.
Various movie theatres around town.  Check out Fiona's List for venue info.

The Kansas City Chorale
Highlights From Lincoln Center

Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Church of the Nativity
119th & Mission Rd., Leawood, KS

Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.
Redemptorist Church
3333 Broadway, Kansas City, MO

Fresh off their command performance in New York at Lincoln Center, our Grammy-winning hometown Chorale will present highlights from their recent concert.

Featured will be the double-choir mass of Martin, music by Rheinberger, and world premieres by Jean Belmont Ford and winners of the first annual UMKC Conservatory Composition Competition.

For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at  www.kcchorale.org.

Te Deum
Creating Breath - a concert of sacred choral music

Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 pm
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
12th and Broadway, Downtown Kansas City, MO

Sunday, March 29 at 3:00 pm
Village Presbyterian Church
67th at Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS

Music director Matthew Christopher Shepard and his new 16-voice chamber choir, Te Deum, will present a concert entitled "Creating Breath." This inaugural program does not just tell the creation story, but reflects on every creation story, dwelling on the excitement, anticipation, and fear found in the common human experience of creation. Featured music is composed by Howells, Poulenc, Britten, Tavener, Victoria, and Pärt.

For more information call 913-671-2304 or email matthew.shepard@villagepres.org.

The Heartland Men's Chorus
Spring Concert: And Justice For All
Saturday, March 28 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 29 at 4:00 pm
Folly Theater
12th and Central, Downtown Kansas City, MO

Fresh off their appearance at the American Choral Directors Association National Conference in Oklahoma City earlier this month, the Heartland Men's Chorus and music director Dr. Joseph Nadeau present their spring concert, entitled "And Justice For All."

Throughout history, oppressed people have turned to song to express their struggles, joys, hopes, and their vision. The HMC will examine the issue of civil rights through the music of the movement.

For tickets call 816-931-3335 or online at  www.hmckc.org.

By R. Douglas Helvering

Classical and Vocal Contributor (Past writer)