Libby Hanssen

January 13, 2020

Kansas City Symphony Celebrates the Centenary of Isaac Stern

His gravestone simply reads, “Isaac Stern, Fiddler.” Born July 21, 1920, he became one of the most celebrated musicians of his lifetime. This year, institutions around the world — including the Kansas City Symphony — honor his contributions. “He was one of the supreme players, one of the great violinists of the 20th century,” said Michael Stern, music director for the Kansas City Symphony, and Isaac’s son.

December 27, 2019

Lyric Opera Celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment with ‘. . . When there are nine’

On Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment became law, stating, “The right of citizens in the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”

December 14, 2019

Kansas City Chorale’s “A Ceremony of Carols” is Joyful and Sophisticated.

I have never heard an audience boo and hiss during a concert before. But folks groaned when artistic director Charles Bruffy said they were cutting some songs..

November 28, 2019

Arts News: Determined to Make a Difference

After a successful exploratory year, the Opus 76 quartet soars into its sophomore season with a well-defined repertoire, growing audience and a community-focused outlook. London-born..

November 27, 2019

Guide to Choral Christmastide

Among the many magical and mindboggling parts of the Christmas story is Santa Claus’ ability to travel the world in a single night. Well, you..

November 24, 2019

Love and Laments: “La storia di Orfeo” with Philippe Jaroussky, Amanda Forsythe and Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble

We forget, too often, that love and grief are two sides of the same coin. If you love, you will, eventually, grieve; if you do..

November 4, 2019

Kansas City Symphony Presents World Premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s Piano Concerto

Throughout many ancient traditions, the soul is equated with the breath: “atman” in Sanskrit, “ruh” in Sufism, “pneuma” in ancient Greek. In Jewish mysticism, the concept is “neshama,” the part of the soul that is intellect and expression and awareness, of God and of one’s self.

October 5, 2019

Kansas City Symphony Opens Classical Series with Themes of Struggle and Triumph

Ah, opening day. The fanfare, the National Anthem, that first pitch…it’s the opening concert of the Kansas City Symphony’s 2019/2020 Classical Series. The orchestra has..

September 22, 2019

Goons, Dames and Mozart: Hometown Tenor Debuts in Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio” Reboot.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City makes “The Abduction from the Seraglio”—a story about love, about pride and about power—into a captivating rom-com set in the seedy back alleys of Hollywood.

Author: Libby Hanssen