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26-465: In 1976, Leigh Gerdine , Laurance L. Browning Jr. and James Van Sant co-founded OTSL. They hired Richard Gaddes , who at the time was working at The Santa Fe Opera , as the company's first artistic director. They signed him as full-time general director in 1978 at the suggestion of Ed Korn, who was brought in as a consultant from the Metropolitan Opera . Gaddes acknowledged that the model for OTSL

52-709: A Japanese opera in Japan by any American company was followed by a return to Tokyo in September 2001 to present the Japanese premiere of the classic Genji Monogatari , adapted as an opera by Minoru Miki as The Tale of Genji . Well-known directors Graham Vick , Jonathan Miller , and Mark Lamos have made U.S. operatic debuts with OTSL, as did conductors Leonard Slatkin and Christopher Hogwood . Colin Graham served as OTSL's director of productions from 1978 until 1985. John Nelson

78-556: A new critical edition ), and Karol Szymanowski 's King Roger . In 2013, Rossini's La donna del lago received its Santa Fe premiere in a co-production with the Metropolitan Opera . The 2014 season saw the first Santa Fe production of Beethoven's Fidelio . Additionally, MacKay's tenure has been characterized by working in collaboration with several opera companies across the United States on co-productions, some of which have been US or world premieres of new operas. In addition to

104-491: The Gerdine Young Artists program, named for Opera Theatre's founding board chairman, Leigh Gerdine. The Gerdine Young Artists serve as the annual chorus for the company, as the company does not retain a resident chorus. OTSL chorus directors have included Donald Palumbo, Cary John Franklin, Sandra Horst, and Robert Ainsley. In February 2020, OTSL announced the appointment of Walter Huff as its next chorus director. Due to

130-459: The COVID-19 pandemic however, Huff never formally took up the post. Succeeding Gaddes as OTSL general director was Charles MacKay , who held the post from 1985 to 2008. MacKay had previously served as OTSL executive director, beginning in 1984. MacKay led the campaign to construct and fund the new Sally S. Levy Opera Center, a new and permanent administrative home and year-round rehearsal facility for

156-542: The Clown were part of an OTSL series of commissioning new operas, under the "New Works, Bold Voices" initiative. In addition, OTSL has given at least 14 American premieres, including Michael Berkeley 's Jane Eyre ; Benjamin Britten 's Paul Bunyan ; Rossini 's Il viaggio a Reims (The Journey to Reims) ; and Judith Weir 's The Vanishing Bridegroom (under the title Highland Wedding ). The company trains young artists in

182-577: The French Croix de Guerre , Bronze Star Medal and German Occupation Medal. Gerdine began his teaching career as an associate professor of music at Mississippi State College for Women . In 1948, Gerdine joined the faculty of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio . While at Miami University , he served as the executive secretary of the music department. Gerdine joined Washington University in St. Louis as head of

208-575: The Met, these companies have included Minnesota Opera (Strauss' Arabella in 2012) and Opera Philadelphia (the Morrison / Cox Oscar in 2013). SFO presented five world premieres during MacKay's tenure, including Cold Mountain by Jennifer Higdon and Gene Scheer (2015) and The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs by Mason Bates and Mark Campbell (librettist) (2018). MacKay also appointed Frédéric Chaslin and Harry Bicket successively as chief conductors of

234-673: The Santa Fe Symphony, earning the first chair position while still in high school, and joined the orchestra of the Santa Fe Opera (SFO) at age 18. He was a volunteer with Santa Fe Opera at age 13 and began to work in administrative capacities with SFO at age 18, beginning with a job as the orchestra "pit boy." He worked at SFO as an orchestra librarian, in the business office, and painting stage scenery. MacKay also held several administrative positions with SFO, including box office manager, assistant orchestra manager, and business manager,

260-568: The University of Iowa. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa , Phi Eta Sigma , and the Blue Key honor societies. Gerdine subsequently studied piano in London with Louis Kentner for 2 years. During World War II, Gerdine served in the U.S. Air Force. He enlisted as an aviation cadet but subsequently went into the intelligence service. He served as aide to General John K. Cannon and was decorated with

286-480: The age of 84. Charles MacKay Charles MacKay (born May 1950, Albuquerque , New Mexico ) is an American arts administrator, known for leadership roles at the Santa Fe Opera , Opera Theatre of Saint Louis , and Spoleto Festival USA / Festival of Two Worlds . MacKay is the son of John and Margaret MacKay and an alumnus of Santa Fe High School and of the University of Minnesota . He played French horn in

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312-400: The appointment of Andrew Jorgensen as its next general director, effective July 2, 2018. In July 2020, OTSL's then-director of artistic administration, Damon Bristo, was arrested for child sex trafficking in the second degree. He was placed on unpaid leave and later resigned. In February 2022, OTSL announced simultaneously the extension of Robinson's contact as artistic director through 2026, and

338-460: The appointment of Daniela Candillari as its new principal conductor, with an initial contract of three years. Candillari is the first female conductor to be named principal conductor of the company. In October 2022, OTSL announced an extension to Jorgensen's contract as OTSL general director through June 2028. In February 2024, OTSL announced an extension to Candillari's contract as OTSL general director through June 2028. In August 2024, OTSL announced

364-502: The appointment of Roberto Kalb as its resident conductor, effective with the 2018 season. In September 2007, OTSL named James Robinson as the company's next artistic director, and Timothy O'Leary to the position of executive director. MacKay concluded his OTSL tenure as general director on September 30, 2008. In June 2008, OTSL named O'Leary as its third general director, effective October 1, 2008. O'Leary concluded his OTSL general directorship on June 30, 2018. In April 2018, OTSL announced

390-699: The company. In August 2017, Santa Fe Opera announced MacKay's intention to step down as its general director after the 2018 season. MacKay is a 1997 recipient of the Arts Management Career Service Award. He has served as chairman of the board of Opera America since 2004, and concluded his tenure in that post in June 2008. Other board affiliations include the Sullivan Foundation and the Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation. He

416-634: The last position for 4 years. After leaving Santa Fe, his other administrative positions include a 6-year tenure as director of finance and administration for the Spoleto Festival USA , from 1978 to 1984. For 5 years, he was the manager for the American artists at the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto , Italy . In 1984, MacKay became executive director of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL), recruited to

442-584: The music department in 1950. During his time at Washington University, Gerdine also served as director of the St. Louis Civic Chorus and as president of the Musicians' Guild. In 1970, Gerdine joined Webster University as president. He oversaw a large increase in the student population at Webster in his tenure. Attendance at the university increased from 1,300 in 1970 to 10,000 in 1990, the year of his retirement. The Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts at Webster University

468-540: The organisation. In addition, in 2005, OTSL adopted projected English-language supertitles in the theatre. From 1985 until his death in April 2007, the OTSL artistic director was Colin Graham . From 1991 to 2017, OTSL's music director was Stephen Lord . Lord subsequently held the title of OTSL music director emeritus until his resignation in June 2019, following publication of allegations of sexual misconduct. In June 2017, OTSL announced

494-473: The post by OTSL's first general director Richard Gaddes . In 1985, MacKay was named OTSL's second general director. During his tenure, MacKay presided over the growth of OTSL's endowment from US$ 682,000 to $ 18 million, and maintained the company's record of never posting a deficit. He also raised funds for the construction of the Sally S. Levy Opera Center, the company's first permanent administrative facility, which

520-493: The scheduled departure of Robinson as its artistic director, effective September 2024. Leigh Gerdine Leigh Gerdine (22 June 1917 - 1 March 2002) was an American musician, composer, educator, civic leader and patron of the arts who was called "the spiritual father of the arts in St. Louis ." A Rhodes Scholar, he served as President of Webster University and founded the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis . Leigh Gerdine

546-466: Was OTSL's music director from 1985 to 1988, and principal conductor from 1988 to 1991. Other notable U.S. singers, including Christine Brewer , Susan Graham , Denyce Graves , Dwayne Croft , Thomas Hampson , Jerry Hadley , Patricia Racette , Sylvia McNair , and Stephanie Blythe have made appearances in St. Louis productions. As of their 2022 Festival Season, OTSL has presented 33 world premieres, including: Champion , Twenty-Seven , and Shalimar

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572-579: Was The Santa Fe Opera : That was not a coincidence. I always say that John Crosby sired the Opera Theater of St. Louis. The whole concept was modeled on Santa Fe, and part of the idea was that the apprentices here would feed into St. Louis. Which they did. The first season in 1976 presented eleven performances of Britten 's Albert Herring , Mozart 's The Impresario , Menotti 's The Medium , and Donizetti 's Don Pasquale . This mixture of some standard works, and some new and unconventional operas,

598-450: Was born on June 22, 1917, in Sheyenne, North Dakota . He began playing the piano around age 8 and later played the saxophone in high school. Gerdine received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Dakota in 1938. He attended Lincoln College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar , from which he received a bachelor's degree in music in 1940. In 1941, he completed his doctorate at

624-580: Was completed in 2006. In November 2007, SFO named MacKay as its third general director, succeeding Richard Gaddes and John Crosby . He concluded his OTSL tenure on 30 September 2008, and began his tenure as SFO general director on 1 October of that year. His immediate challenges were financial, in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis . During his tenure, MacKay programmed several operas in their first stagings at Santa Fe Opera, including The Tales of Hoffmann (2010), Faust (2011), and in 2012 alone, The Pearl Fishers , Rossini's Maometto II (in

650-510: Was named in his honor. In 1976, Gerdine co-founded the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis . Its young opera artist program, Gerdine Young Artists , was named in his honor. In 1989, Gerdine was awarded the National Medal of Arts by George H. W. Bush in recognition of his distinguished career as a musician and educator and for his enlightened patronage of the arts in St. Louis . On March 1, 2002, Gerdine died of an apparent heart attack at

676-528: Was to continue in future seasons and characterize the company's approach. This was achieved on a budget of $ 135,000. The young singers included Sheri Greenawald and Vinson Cole . During the early seasons, the company had a major influence with such achievements as first joint BBC / WNET telecast of Albert Herring and in 1983 the first appearance by any U.S. opera company at the Edinburgh International Festival . The first production of

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