Although the primary concert season for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has passed, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra still experienced a busy June. Throughout May and June, the SLSO acts as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, a partnership that has endured for close to 50 years and serves as a model of artistic collaboration in the country.
While the orchestra performed in the pit for Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, and Ricky Ian Gordon’s This House (a world premiere), musicians kept busy with community performances throughout the St. Louis area, from downtown St. Louis to St. Charles County.
The SLSO’s two resident choruses—the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus—lent their voices to several projects as well, including opening the largest gathering of choral conductors, singers, and composers. The month ended with an inspiring and uplifting benefit concert to aid relief efforts from the May 16 tornado. The orchestra, choruses, Music Director Stéphane Denève, and IN UNISON Chorus director Kevin McBeth were joined by Grammy Award-winning artist BeBe Winans at the Fabulous Fox for the historic event.
June 2 – At the St. Louis County Library Clark Family Branch, an SLSO ensemble and guest accordionist Amir Salisevic presented Bosnian Journeys in conjunction with the Srebrenica Remembrance Coalition. The full-house concert commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide through the stories of Bosnian immigrants who settled in St. Louis. (photo courtesy of St. Louis County Library)
June 2 – The Bosnian Journeys performance, featuring traditional Bosnian music, received an enthusiastic response from the large audience at the St. Louis County Library Clark Family Branch. (photo courtesy of St. Louis County Library)
June 5 – The Chorus America Conference, the largest gathering of chorus ensemble leaders in the country, gathered in St. Louis. The St. Louis Symphony Chorus, led by Erin Freeman, and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, led by Kevin McBeth, were two of the featured ensembles in the opening night concert.
June 9 – Assistant Conductor Samuel Hollister leads an SLSO ensemble in Bohuslav Martinů’s Nonet at the 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters. Thousands of people attended this now annual tradition. The theme of the concert was inspired by the hit show Bridgerton. (photo by Eric Dundon)
June 19 – The IN UNISON Chorus Young Artists pose for a photo at the Juneteenth observance at Manchester United Methodist Church. The Young Artists presented a program of celebration to honor the holiday. (photo by Rochelle Calhoun)
June 24 – The SLSO joined Young Artists from Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for the annual Center Stage production. This was one of the final productions of OTSL’s 50th anniversary season. The SLSO has served at the resident orchestra of OTSL almost that entire time. (photo by Eric Woolsey)
June 25 – Music Director Stéphane Denève leads an SLSO ensemble and vocalist Kennedy Holmes in a performance of the National Anthem at the St. Louis CITY SC match against Orlando City. (photo by Jeff Curry, St. Louis City SC)
June 25 – Denève leads the supporters section of St. Louis CITY SC in a pre-game chant at Energizer Park. (photo by Jeff Curry, St. Louis City SC)
June 27 – Assistant Concertmaster Hannah Ji and Associate Principal Violist Alejandro Valdepeñas perform Mozart duos for residents at Crown Center in University City, continuing a long-time partnership with the senior living facility.
June 29 – Gospel singer BeBe Winans performs his hit song “Born for This” at a tornado relief benefit concert with the SLSO and its two resident choruses. The concert, held at the Fabulous Fox, raised money for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Disaster Relief Fund. (photo by Phillip Hamer)
June 29 – Music Director Stéphane Denève acknowledges the audience after a performance of Hymn to the Fallen from the film Saving Private Ryan. A portion of the tornado relief benefit concert honored victims of the tornado, including Patricia Penelton, a charter member of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus. Members of the IN UNISON Chorus, along with members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, performed with the orchestra. (photo by Phillip Hamer)
June 29 – Marie-Hélène Bernard, SLSO President and CEO, and Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, welcome the large crowd attending the tornado relief benefit concert at the Fabulous Fox. (photo by Phillip Hamer)
