Opera Theatre Of St. Louis To Release 27

Opera Theatre of St. Louis Releases World Premiere Recording of “27”

composer Ricky Ian Gordon & librettist Royce Vavrek

featuring Stephanie Blythe & Elizabeth Futral
conducted by Michael Christie

Released in Partnership with Albany Records

After a critically acclaimed run in St. Louis in June of 2014, composer Ricky Ian Gordon and librettist Royce Vavrek’s opera “27” will now be available to audiences around the globe, with the release of the world premiere recording of the opera on Albany Records. Recorded live in performance throughout the run of the opera, the album is the first commercial recording of a commissioned world premiere from Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

The opera, which was conducted by Michael Christie and directed by OTSL Artistic Director James Robinson, traces the story of American expatriate couple Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, their colorful salons at 27 rue de Fleurus, and the many writers and artists who graced their home. The world premiere recording features mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe as Gertrude Stein and soprano Elizabeth Futral as Alice B. Toklas, as well as three of OTSL’s Gerdine Young Artists – bass-baritone Daniel Brevik, baritone Tobias Greenhalgh, and tenor Theo Lebow – with the musicians of the St. Louis Symphony.

“It’s a thrill to have a recording of this beautiful, courageous new work,” says Opera Theatre General Director Timothy O’Leary. “Opera Theatre audiences were enthralled by the artistry of ‘27’ last season, and the unforgettable performances which brought it to life. I am so grateful that now listeners from around the world will have the opportunity to hear the music and words that moved our audiences so deeply.”

Local, national, and international critics all applauded the opera, which was the second in OTSL’s New Works, Bold Voices cycle of commissioned world premieres of American operas on American themes:

“Brilliant… majestic, magnetic, powerful” – The Washington Post

“Playful, quick-witted… a treat to hear.” – The Wall Street Journal

“Finely crafted” – Financial Times (London)

“Wonderful energy… charm and intelligence” – Opera Magazine

“Serious fun” – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The audio recording of “27” was made possible with a generous leadership gift from Mrs. Walter F. Brissenden. The commissioning and development of “27” were made possible with a leadership gift from Alison and John Ferring. Generous support also came from the Fred M. Saigh Endowment at Opera Theatre, the National Endowment for the Arts, and OPERA America’s Opera Fund. The production of “27” was made possible with a leadership gift from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and by OTSL’s Rudolph W. Driscoll Endowment for Contemporary Opera, with support from major production sponsor Phoebe Dent Weil and production underwriters Emily Rauh Pulitzer and the late Emma Coulter Ware.

About Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is one of the leading American opera companies, known for a spring festival of inventive new productions, sung in English, featuring the finest American singers and accompanied by members of the St. Louis Symphony. As of 2014, Opera Theatre has presented 24 world premieres and 23 American premieres – which may be the highest percentage of new work in the repertory of any U.S. company. Described by The Sunday Times of London as “one of the few American companies worth the transatlantic fare,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis annually welcomes visitors from nearly every state and close to a dozen foreign countries. Although the size of the theater typically limits box office income to less than a quarter of the budget, the company has consistently produced work of the highest quality while never accumulating a deficit.

Opera Theatre also has a long tradition of discovering and promoting the careers of the finest operatic artists of the current generation. Among the artists who had important early opportunities at Opera Theatre are Christine Brewer, Susan Graham, Nathan Gunn, Patricia Racette, Thomas Hampson, Jerry Hadley, Dawn Upshaw, Sylvia McNair, Erie Mills, Dwayne Croft, Kelly Kaduce, and Lawrence Brownlee. Opera Theatre has always been known for distinguished leadership: founding general director Richard Gaddes was succeeded in 1985 by general director Charles MacKay, with famed British stage director Colin Graham as artistic director and Stephen Lord (1992 – present) as music director. Timothy O’Leary was named general director in October 2008 with acclaimed stage director James Robinson succeeding the late Colin Graham.

Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges season presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors.

Opera Theatre is a sustaining member of the Arts & Education Council of Greater Saint Louis, and receives major support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Regional Arts Commission, and the Missouri Arts Council.