The Opera Theatre of St. Louis has come a long way since its humble beginnings 50 years ago. What started with 11 performances from a dedicated group of music lovers has grown into a beloved summertime celebration complete with groundbreaking stories, exciting new talent, and plenty of Champagne toasts.
After kicking off with the New Works Collective in February, OTSL’s 50th season continues this summer with Our Songs (May 10), a free annual concert that gives a guest curator the opportunity to share their musical influences.
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The main event gets underway at the end of May and continues through June with four full productions performed in English with English supertitles and the annual Center Stage Concert (June 24), celebrating Opera Theatre’s Richard Gaddes Festival Artist and Gerdine Young Artist programs. Pick your favorite from the descriptions below, or see them all with season tickets.
Die Fledermaus | May 24–June 28
Join in the “costume party of the century” as Die Fledermaus rings in the 50th festival season with disguises, laughs, and more bubbly than is perhaps advisable. This comedy from Johann Strauss II is also the festival’s Pride Night production: Snag tickets for the June 4 performance to enjoy a preshow open bar and postshow dance party with OTSL artists.
This House | May 31–June 29
This world premiere opera from Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Lynn Nottage, Ruby Aiyo Gerber, and Ricky Ian Gordon, conducted by Daniela Candillari and directed by James Robinson, is sure to be a standout of the season. This House follows the Walker family—their secrets and their legacy—as they examine the Harlem brownstone they have called home since the 1920s.
Don Pasquale | June 8–27
This classic Gaetano Donizetti tale sees Don Pasquale, a blowhard father who disowns his son, Ernesto, over a love match, learn his lesson courtesy of the very woman Ernesto fell for. It’s not long before a fake marriage to this fiery heroine has Don Pasquale on the back foot.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | June 14–28
Step into a whimsical world of fairies, mischief, and magic with Benjamin Britten’s adaptation of Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The seductive score will be conducted by Leonard Slatkin, former maestro at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
