Photos

Mozart’s Requiem with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus

By Eric Dundon

The St. Louis Symphony Chorus performed alongside the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for the first time in the 2024/2025 season in a perennial favorite: W.A. Mozart’s Requiem. The full crowds at the Stifel Theatre November 9-10 reacted with a standing ovation for the Chorus and orchestra, who were led by Music Director Stéphane Denève and featured a quartet of vocal soloists: soprano Joélle Harvey, mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, tenor Josh Lovell, and bass-baritone Dashon Burton. Making this performance even more special, the chorus was prepared by Erin Freeman in her first concerts as Director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, a position to which she appointed in July 2024.

KDHX wrote of the performance: “Under the direction of its new director Erin Freemen the SLSO Chorus sang with a mix of power and clarity that was a joy to hear.”

The November 9 concert was also the first concert of the season for the SLSO Young Friends, a group of music lovers with a special subscription package. The Young Friends gathered for a post-concert reception with the vocal soloists. Learn more about Young Friends here.

Photos by Virginia Harold.

Three of the four soloists performed with the SLSO before. Tenor Josh Lovell made his SLSO debut.
The St. Louis Symphony Chorus performed with the orchestra for the first time in these concerts.
Mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor reacts during a Q&A with SLSO Young Friends.
The full crowd at Stifel Theatre.
This program was held at Stifel Theatre.
Concertmaster David Halen.
The full audience at the Stifel Theatre reacted with a standing ovation.
In addition to performing Mozart’s Requiem, bass-baritone Dashon Burton also sang Four Preludes and Serious Songs by Detlev Glanert, adapted from songs by Johannes Brahms.
The Mozart’s Requiem program welcomed SSO Young Friends, a special group of music lovers age 45 and under.
Music Director Stéphane Denève and chorus director Erin Freeman (center) were joined by the soloists for a bow. From left to right: Dashon Burton, Josh Lovell, Denève, Freeman, Kelley O’Connor, and Joélle Harvey.
Violinist Nathan Lowry warms up backstage.
The Chorus was prepared by Erin Freeman in her debut as Chorus Director.
SLSO violin section.

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