Best Homegrown Diva

Joyce DiDonato is becoming a familiar name on the international opera stage, stunning audiences in the title role of La Cenerentola at La Scala in Milan, Italy, and as Sister Helen in Dead Man Walking at the New York City Opera between performances in Japan, Spain, Israel and France. But though she's been tallying frequent-flier miles, she hasn't turned her back on her hometown -- in fact, the Prairie Village native and former St. Ann Catholic School student recently bought a loft downtown. She is sharing her voice here, as well, having given a recital at the Folly Theater as part of the Harriman Arts Program last season and performed La Cenerentola for the Lyric Opera in September. Meanwhile, she has taken the time to conduct master classes for area musicians and occasionally sings gratis during mass at St. Therese Church north of the river. We might not all know opera in Kansas City, but we know what -- or who -- we like.