There’s nothing like St. Louis in the summer. From the explosion of flowers in Forest Park to the proliferation of patio bars, the city comes alive. On almost any given night, you can catch an outdoor festival, fair, or performance. And be sure to consider a night at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL).
A Special Summer Night
Bringing world-class opera to St. Louis every May and June, OTSL features an international roster of talent onstage at Webster University’s Loretto-Hilton Center.
OTSL’s mission is to make opera accessible to all, and it does just that with a range of offerings. Every show is performed in English (with English supertitles, no less), and ASL interpretation and audio description services are available on select dates. OTSL also hosts special Young Friends Nights for those under age 45.
A night at the opera is also a one-stop shop for an immersive experience. At OTSL, evenings begin with picnics in stunning gardens, which are carefully planted and maintained by a dedicated group of the opera’s volunteers. Guests can pre-order catered picnic boxes from Ces & Judy’s Catering, pack a home-cooked meals, or bring carryout from a favorite St. Louis eatery.
A Standout Theatre
As the sun begins to dip and the birds begin to sing, opera-goers start to make their way into the Loretto-Hilton Center for the show.
The theatre stands out for its unusual thrust-stage configuration, which allows audiences to surround the stage on three sides. Whether you’re watching the action on stage or enjoying the sight of other audience members’ reactions, you can’t help but feel like you’re part of a special community during an OTSL show.
Among the reviews from past theatre-goers: “the experience was a joyous event”; “they’ve never seen an opera audience so full of exuberance, enthusiasm, and noise making over the show”; “the atmosphere was beautiful…everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”
An Encore Experience
After the performance ends, the party doesn’t stop. Audiences return to the gardens to enjoy drinks, food, and conversation by candlelight. On nice summer nights, fireflies add a magical twinkle to the post-show festivities as cast members join audiences in the gardens. Unlike many other arts venues, OTSL has no VIP areas or donor lounges; anyone can meet the stars of the show over a nightcap.
As you begin making your summer plans, consider adding a night or two at the opera to your list. What you discover might surprise you.
OTSL’s 2024 festival season runs May 25–June 30 and features four productions: The Barber of Seville, the family-friendly comedy; La bohème, the timeless romance and the inspiration for the hit musical Rent; Julius Caesar, a sexy political thriller featuring his love affair with Cleopatra; and Galileo Galilei, a rarely seen 20th-century opera by Philip Glass.
Tickets start at just $25. Dates and more information can be found on OTSL’s website at experienceopera.org.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. To learn more, visit experienceopera.org.
