Opera Kansas presents Staggerwing, Winner of the 2020 Zepick Modern Opera Commission, now expanded to 90 minutes!
Lisa DeSpain and Rachel J. Peter’s STAGGERWING celebrates the historic flight of Louise Thaden and Blanche Noyes as they compete in – and win – the 1936 Bendix Trophy Air Race – the first year female piloting teams are allowed to compete. Their plane: a Beechcraft Staggerwing Model C-17.
The jazz-themed opera also highlights the contributions of Olive Ann Beech, co-founder and president of Beech Aircraft (later known as “The First Lady of Aviation”) and her husband Walter Beech, fierce advocates for women’s acceptance and equality in the skies.
Librettist Rachel J. Peters is excited to bring this story back to Wichita, sharing “We've worked hard to honor your amazing local history in a richer, fuller way. More characters! More drama! More music! More jokes! We can't wait to share it all with you.”
