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Beethoven meets Beyoncé at the SLSO

Beyoncé, meet Beethoven. Music by two musical icons met via the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and conductor Steve Hackman on January 31, 2025, at Stifel Theater. Hackman, who created this concert, meshed songs of Queen Bey with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, one of the prolific composer’s most-beloved works.

Beyoncé songs included “Girls,” “Crazy in Love,” “Single Ladies,” “Sorry,” “Halo,” “Cuff It,” and “Texas Hold ‘Em”—in this innovative new musical fusion. Hackman was joined by three vocalists, Brayla Cook, Kaylah Sharve’, and Malia Civetz. The crowd danced in their seats, and some even in the aisles, as the vocalists delivered Beyoncé’s iconic lyrics.

This concert was Hackman’s second collaboration with the SLSO after Brahms X Radiohead in 2024.

Photos by Virginia Harold.

From left, vocalists Brayla Cook, Kaylah Sharve’, and Malia Civetz.
Audience members channeled Cowboy Carter for their looks.
SLSO horn section.
Steve Hackman leads the SLSO for the second time. He previously conducted Brahms X Radiohead in 2024.
Audience members dressed to impress, channeling Queen Bey.
The Stifel Theatre was awash in golden light for the concert.
SLSO Principal Double Bassist Erik Harris.
Cook, Sharve’, and Civetz provided the vocals throughout the concert.
Associate Principal Timpanist Kevin Ritenauer.
SLSO violinists.
The concert took place at Stifel Theater.

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