Opera star Joyce DiDonato returns to Kansas City for a concert to save the planet
Since 1971, the world has lost two-thirds of its wildlife population, says the World Wildlife Fund. After a drop in carbon emissions at the start of the pandemic, they’re now as high as ever, says the International Energy Agency. Meanwhile, temperatures in Antarctica have recently been 70 degrees warmer than normal, polar meteorologists say.
The situation seems hopeless and, perhaps, it is. Joyce DiDonato, whose musical activism has previously addressed prison reform and the horrible situation of refugees, now turns her attention to the most profound crisis of our time: humanity’s disconnect from nature.
The Harriman-Jewell Series will present DiDonato and the musical ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro in “Eden” April 12 at the Folly Theater.
The Prairie Village native and internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano says she hopes “Eden” will inspire audiences to bring a sense of community and balance outside the concert hall.
“I sense a strong disconnection in many areas of our world — our connection to each other, to the world around us, and perhaps most strongly to our true essence,” she said in an email interview. “My hope is to build more of that connection through this extraordinary music so strongly that we all feel inspired to more fervently create a world of peace, community, and compassion.”
The music DiDonato has chosen for “Eden” encompasses four centuries and all revolves around nature, a theme that has endlessly inspired composers through the ages. The program includes a new piece commissioned from composer Rachel Portman.
“As an Academy Award winning composer (for 1996’s “Emma”), Rachel understands story-telling, and this was essential for me,” DiDonato said. “She is also deeply connected to nature and the environment, and is quite passionate about sharing the experience of the beauty and fragility of our world. She has written an instant classic, in my opinion, that is deeply touching and human with its soaring lyricism and deeply human sensibility.”
DiDonato describes the rest of the music on the program as a “wild and bold compilation.”
“The astounding thing to me is how seamlessly it all aligns, and how each genre illuminates and complements the next,” DiDonato said. “How Handel flows into Mahler, and Cavalli gives birth to Myslivecek, a brilliant contemporary of Mozart, feels completely natural. The result is that we witness and experience in real time the eternal questions that have always been with humankind: Who am I? Why am I here? What is this all about?”
“Eden” will not be your typical vocal recital, DiDonato said.
“It is the culmination of all I’ve done in my career: storytelling, theater, music, opera, song,” she said. “We have a wonderful setting directed by Marie Lambert-Li Bihan, extraordinary lighting designed by John Torres, a truly exceptional orchestra who is a true partner and protagonist on the stage, and yours truly singing four centuries of music together in one full sweep of emotion and beauty.”
Another way this recital is unlike any other is that concertgoers will be given seeds afterwards to plant seeds of hope.
But how can we have hope when we’re faced with daily news of raging wildfires, dying coral reefs and melting permafrost. Isn’t it too late?
“So my question for you is ‘too late for what?’ DiDonato said. “I think the alarm bells have been sounding for some time, and those who are brave enough are listening. If we begin to connect more deeply — truly deeply — to the natural world that gives us everything we need (breath, water, sun, serenity, sustenance), will we ever be inspired to care for it more? The headlines we are inundated with would suggest we’re failing pretty miserably at this. But I do believe that can turn around on a dime — if we’re brave enough!”
7:30 p.m. April 12. Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St. $15-$85. 816-415-5025 or hjseries.org.
‘Lucy Negro Redux’
The Harriman-Jewell Series has another big project coming up on April 8 at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre. “Lucy Negro Redux” is a combination of poetry, dance and music that imagines the “Dark Lady” of Shakespeare’s sonnets as a woman of African descent.
“Lucy Negro Redux” is based on the eponymous book of poetry by Caroline Randall Williams, who will be on stage reading her poetry during the performance. Fans of folk music will want to attend just to hear Grammy-winner and MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient Rhiannon Giddens. With the acclaimed Nashville Ballet and choreography by its artistic director, Paul Vasterling,“ Lucy Negro Redux” should be a unique and provocative evening of theater.
7:30 p.m April 8. Muriel Kauffman Theatre, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. $12.50-$75. 816-415-5025 or hjseries.org.
‘Awakening New Sounds’
The Spire Chamber Ensemble, noted for its authentic period performances, will turn its attention to newer music with “Amazing New Sounds” at Village Presbyterian Church on April 3.
Spire, conducted by Ben Spalding, will be joined by the Kansas City Youth Chorus and Grammy-nominated organist Jan Kraybill for a program of some of the finest 20th and 21st century composers of choral music, including James MacMillan, Herbert Howells, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten and Florence Price. The concert will also feature the world premiere of a work by Spalding himself.
3 p.m. April 3, Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village. $10-$25. spirechamberensemble.org or at the door.
William Baker Festival Singers
The William Baker Festival Singers will also perform a healthy sampling of contemporary choral music at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral on April 3. In addition to Bach’s “Ein feste Burg” (“A Mighty Fortress is our God”) the concert will feature works by four composers who have been composers-in-residence of the William Baker Choral Foundation: Mark Gresham, R. Douglas Helvering, Ed Frazier Davis and Sean Sweeden.
2 p.m. April 3. Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 W. 13th St. $20-$100. festivalsingers.org or at the door.
You can reach Patrick Neas at [email protected] and follow his Facebook page, KC Arts Beat, at www.facebook.com/kcartsbeat.
