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Kansas Native Samuel Ramey on Roots and Villainy

Samuel Ramey in a guest appearance on the PBS show, "Sesame Street."
Samuel Ramey in a guest appearance on the PBS show, "Sesame Street."

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City has announced its inaugural season in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Highlights include the Lyric debut of John Adams' "Nixon in China" and a new production of Puccini's "Turandot" with bass Samuel Ramey as Timor.

By Laura Spencer

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-948238.mp3

Kansas City, Mo. – A native of Kansas, Samuel Ramey is considered the most recorded bass in history, with more than 80 recordings and three Grammy awards, as well as a guest appearance on Sesame Street.

Over his more than 30 year career, Ramey has performed on stages around the world, but this marks his first at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. KCUR's Laura Spencer talked to Ramey about specializing in villains and devils, and his Kansas roots.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City's 2011-2012 Season
at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opens with
a new production of "Turandot"
By Giacomo Puccini
Sung in Italian with English subtitles
October 1 - 9, 2011

For a more detailed look at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, its mission, and the organizations that will present there, check out KCUR's blog Sound and Glass.

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Kansas City is known for its style of jazz, influenced by the blues, as the home of Walt Disney’s first animation studio and the headquarters of Hallmark Cards. As one of KCUR’s arts reporters, I want people here to know a wide range of arts and culture stories from across the metropolitan area. I take listeners behind the scenes and introduce them to emerging artists and organizations, as well as keep up with established institutions. Send me an email at lauras@kcur.org or follow me on Twitter @lauraspencer.
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