Schedule
The Central Park Five
Sharonne Salaam
March 18, 20 mat, 24, 26, 2022
Winner of the Pulitzer Price for Music in 2020, The Central Park Five takes us to New York City in the late 80s—when five Black and Latino teenagers were falsely accused of rape and assault, and coerced into confession, during a terrible incident that gripped the nation, and still strikes our hearts.
After serving prison sentences, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise were exonerated through DNA evidence. This courageous work speaks to the injustices and experiences they endured.
Opera Theatre of St. Louis Gerdine Young Artist
Mercedes in Carmen
Mariam H. (cover) in Awakenings
Carmen performances:
May 21-June 25
In addition to singing in the mainstage production choruses, Gerdine Young Artists (GYAs) are featured in supporting roles, cover all roles in mainstage productions, and are featured soloists in the annual Center Stage concert. At this showcase event, GYAs take the spotlight accompanied onstage by members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, an event that draws opera administrators, artist managers, and national and international press to St. Louis each season to discover the finest emerging young artists.
Their 2022 season includes Carmen, Magic Flute, and 2 world premieres of Awakenings and Harvey Milk, as well as the Center Stage concert and a concert celebrating Black Music Month.
Coraline (American premiere)
Miss Forcible
July 30,
August 5 & 7
Closing out the West Edge Festival 2022 is a contemporary opera for all ages: Coraline, by Mark-Anthony Turnage with libretto by Rory Mullarkey. Based on the award-winning novel by Neil Gaiman, Coraline is the story of a young girl whose life has been uprooted. As she wanders alone through her new creaky house, she tries to get the attention of her work-at-home parents to no avail. One day she discovers a mysterious door, through which she sets out on a terrifying adventure that tests the limits of human bravery. This production heralds the American premiere, in partnership with Papermoon Opera Productions.