God, Guns, and Gossip: OTSL Delivers a Sparkling SUSANNAH
There was a rapturous moment offstage during the opening night of Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ Susannah. Conductor Gemma New, herself in the midst of a glorious performance, took advantage of a musical pause to set aside her baton, fold her hands and take in the moment before joining the audience in their thunderous applause for soprano […]
Theatre Review: Passionate and Political, Opera Theatre St. Louis’ TOSCA Refreshes a Classic
There is not much color in Opera Theatre St. Louis’ production of Tosca. But that does not mean it is drab. Relying on minimalist lighting, projections and powerful singing, stage director James Robinson has accentuated the powerful drama of Puccini’s opera and taken a cue from Orson Welles, giving audiences a stark and sleek presentation that fully […]
The Fight for Equality Has Dire Consequences in OTSL’s Poignant HARVEY MILK (Review)
It is only fitting that Opera Theatre St. Louis closes out its 48th season with an opera about overcoming adversity. Back on its home stage in front of an audience for the first time since 2019, the company has faced several challenges, including postponing two world premiere presentations. But, in the case of Harvey Milk, […]
Review: CARMEN Opens 2022 Festival Season at Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Bullfighting and bravado take center stage for Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ feisty production of Carmen. Set in Franco’s Spain, Rodula Gaitanou’s battle of the sexes takes a little time to get going. But, once it does, the production kicks into overdrive. Opening the company’s 48th season, Gaitanou’s interpretation breaks away from the trendy projections […]
Review: Opera Theatre Drives Fast On Highway 1, U.S.A.
William Grant Still may not be as well known to casual opera fans as Verdi or Rossini, but he should be. An arranger for W.C. Handy and composer of over 200 operas, ballets, and symphonies, he is considered the dean of African American composers. Every bit as prolific as Duke Ellington or Terence Blanchard, Still’s […]
Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ Holiday Concert Brings Glad Tidings to a Beleaguered City
Knowing that this year has been challenging for everyone, Opera Theatre of St. Louis is bringing glad tidings to those cooped up during this festive season with their 2020 Holiday Concert. Presented digitally as part of their virtual programming, the concert features a selection of holiday songs performed by cast members from OTSL’s forthcoming presentation […]
Review: Vengeance Rules the Day in Opera Theatre’s Powerful Rigoletto
Returning to Opera Theatre St. Louis for the first time in a decade, Rigoletto is a sad and sordid affair. Loaded with scheming, lust, jealousy and revenge, it is not for the faint of heart. Directed with stunning emotional potency by Bruno Ravella (in his OTSL debut) the production is dark. Very Dark. Verdi based […]
Review: Opera Theatre St. Louis Battles Hate With ‘An American Soldier’
In addition to mounting works from their classical repertoire, Opera Theatre St. Louis also commissions new work that speaks to a modern audience by engaging them with presentations featuring contemporary themes without sugar coating or smooth edges. Dubbed New Works, Bold Voices these commissions also affords new voices to be heard both on and offstage, […]
Review: From Black Leather to Rainbow Pants, ‘Orfeo & Euridice’ Dazzles Opera Theatre St. Louis
In a season filled with intrigue, passion and intense drama, Opera Theatre St. Louis‘ Orfeo & Euridice is a refreshing dose of mystic escapism. Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck, this new English translation, commissioned by Opera Theatre St. Louis, is based on the adaptation created by Hector Berlioz which lifted elements from the opera’s Italian and French versions and […]
Southern Gothic and Skullduggery Abound in Opera Theatre’s Voracious ‘Regina’
The treachery and deceit of a Southern family in Gilded Age Alabama is the focal point of of Regina, Opera Theatre St. Louis’ second production of the season. Adapted from Lillian Hellman’s 1939 stage play, The Little Foxes, and composed by Marc Blitzstein, Regina is just as unscrupulous today as it was when it premiered […]
