Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) has revealed more details about its upcoming 2021 Festival Season, which will feature four all-new productions on an outdoor stage, as well as a groundbreaking free-ticket initiative that will offer 30 complimentary seats for every show.
The 2021 Festival Season begins next month, running from May 22 through June 20, and will be performed on a newly built stage in a parking lot adjacent to the Loretto-Hilton Center, the company’s usual venue, on the Webster University campus. Each production is 90 minutes or less and will be presented without intermission.
General director Andrew Jorgensen says Opera Theatre is looking forward to reuniting artists with audiences and celebrating the launch of a new season and what feels like a new era.
“Many of us have enjoyed watching our favorite operas and other performances over our TVs and computers this year, and our focus on digital content has to remain even after the pandemic is over – it’s a brilliant way of reaching new audiences, and one that I know OTSL will continue going forward,” Jorgensen said. “But there’s something special about seeing live opera, especially if you haven’t attended a performance in person for over a year.”
Jorgensen adds the outdoor setting even attempts to mimic the intimacy of the Loretto-Hilton Center, an asset prized by those who’ve experienced Opera Theatre performances over the years.
“Despite the unique situation, our outdoor stage won’t change that. The last row of seats in the outdoor space is no further away from the stage than the last row in our usual theater,” he noted.
There will be some tangible adjustments, as the transition from an indoor to an outdoor stage – which workers will start building in May – forced the company to rethink its usual practices when it comes to production, according to Jorgensen.
“If this past year has taught us anything, it’s to be flexible, creative and determined,” he said. “Lighting is an issue, for example. When you’re inside the theater, you have control over every aspect of it; whereas outside, you’re dealing with natural light sources. In most cases, the sun won’t even have fully set before the end of a show! Then there’s the consideration of whether and how to deal with that; how do props and set pieces stay put when there’s wind? Our production department has been absolutely brilliant in figuring out how to adapt to an outdoor season. Honestly, we’d rather face these challenges than go without a season!”
The season opens on Saturday, May 22, with Puccini’s comedic masterpiece, “Gianni Schicchi” (May 22 and 28; June 2, 6 and 11), followed by William Grant Still’s gripping “Highway 1, U.S.A.” (May 29; June 4, 13, 17), and Poulenc’s intensely dramatic “La voix humaine” (June 5, 14, 20).
“Gianni Schicchi,” which has not been seen on Opera Theatre’s stage for more than 40 years, will star baritone Levi Hernandez in the title role. One of opera’s greatest comedies begins when Buoso Donati passes away and leaves his entire fortune to the local monastery – to the horror of his relatives, who hire the wily Gianni Schicchi to help them steal back the money. Seán Curran will direct, with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra conductor laureate Leonard Slatkin at the podium.
A long-neglected work of William Grant Still, “Highway 1, U.S.A.” is the story of a couple’s fight for a better life – and the sacrifices they make for a loved one. This intimate opera by the “Dean of African-American Composers” features a sweeping score that brilliantly blends elements of Romanticism, blues and musical theater. “Highway 1, U.S.A.” will star soprano Nicole Cabell and baritone Will Liverman, with The Black Rep’s Ron Himes as director and Leonard Slatkin as conductor.
In “La voix humaine,” love is on the line, as the alone and desperate Elle frantically awaits her ex-lover’s call. This explosive one-woman opera features a self-directed tour-de-force performance by soprano Patricia Racette, hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “the most fearless woman in opera.” Pianist Sunny Yoon will also appear.
In addition, Opera Theatre will present the “New Works, Bold Voices Lab,” a collection of three world premieres by contemporary composers to be performed as one suite of works. Originally scheduled for digital release, they will move to the main stage for live performances on June 10, 12, 16 and 18. There will also be two one-night-only concert events: “I Dream a World” (June 15), commemorating Juneteenth, presented in partnership with the Missouri Historical Society; and the annual Center Stage showcase (June 19), featuring singers from OTSL’s Gerdine Young Artist Program.
OTSL is also launching a free-ticket initiative this year, the first of its kind for any major American opera company. Named “Phyllis’ Seats” after the late Phyllis Brissenden, a lifelong supporter and board member who passed away in 2019, the program will provide 30 free seats per performance during the 2021 Festival Season.
“Phyllis was such an ambassador for this art form. She often bought tickets for first-time opera-goers who would come with her to performances,” Jorgensen explained. “When she passed, she left us a tremendous bequest for our endowment. We knew we wanted to do something big to honor her memory and keep her spirit alive, so we thought what better tribute than to offer free tickets to new audiences in her name?”
Jorgensen adds the initiative will be an important step in OTSL’s ongoing efforts to achieve more equity and accessibility both within the company and in the national opera industry.
“People often misconstrue opera as being elitist and expensive, when in actuality, it’s usually cheaper than attending a rock concert or a sports event!” he said. “We hope that audiences who never before dreamed of attending an opera will take the plunge, risk-free. We hope that those people fall in love with what they see and hear, and that they continue to come back in future seasons. Plus, with the past year having taken a devastating financial toll on so many, this initiative acknowledges that we all deserve a little beauty and joy in our lives.”
Tickets for Phyllis’ Seats may be reserved online or by phone two days before every show. More details on the program will be announced next month. Tickets for the 2021 Festival Season, priced at $39 each, will go on sale to the general public on May 3.
The outdoor season will follow strict COVID-compliant procedures, including temperature checks and required mask-wearing for all audiences, staff and volunteers, regardless of vaccination history.
Jorgensen says he is thrilled that OTSL is getting back to doing what it does best: bringing people together through the power and beauty of opera.
“Being able to produce live art again is something we don’t take for granted, and it’s an absolute joy,” he said. We’re feeling incredibly grateful to everyone who helped us get to this point, from our board and staff, to our artists, patrons, volunteers, to our dedicated partners at Webster University and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra…I can’t imagine the evenings at our Outdoor Festival being anything other than electric!”
For more information, call the OTSL box office at (314) 961-0644 or visit ExperienceOpera.org.
$45 Million Bequest from Longtime Supporter Doubles Opera Theatre’s Endowment
