To create an incredible experience with some of the most brilliant artists of this generation, singing in an intimate theater with members of the great Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis was founded in the spring of 1976 by Richard Gaddes, with a small group of opera lovers who were determined to bring festival-quality opera to the St. Louis area. With a budget of $135,000 they presented an 11-performance season of familiar and unconventional operas sung in English by outstanding artists. The company has grown enormously since then, but its dedication to high-quality productions of a varied repertory accompanied by members of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra continues to this day. From 1985 through 2008, the company was led by General Director Charles MacKay, along with OTSL's famed, late Artistic Director Colin Graham, and Music Director Stephen Lord. In October 2008, Timothy O'Leary was named General Director following MacKay's departure to lead the Santa Fe Opera, and acclaimed stage director James Robinson was appointed to succeed Colin Graham.

Adventurous Repertory
Outstanding Artists
International profile/following
Education & Community