A Note from the Curator by Joshua Blue 

As I begin my 32^nd  trip around the sun, I’ve often found myself looking backwards at the people, the places, and the institutions that have helped shape me into the artist I am today. I’ve found that often times we are sold the concept of always moving forward, not allowing ourselves to be bogged down by the immense baggage and pain that can be associated with looking back. However, given the state of the world nowadays, I find it more important than ever for us to know where we came from, so that we may better navigate who it is we want to be.

That was my inspiration for this year’s iteration of the “Our Songs” recital series: an opportunity to look back over 50 incredible years of artistic innovation, the championing of new American art, and the sharing of music in a common language that has made OTSL such an important American opera institution. Tonight’s recital may seem like a disparate collection of art song and opera, but the reality is a kaleidoscopic look at the wildly varied composers and artistic styles that OTSL has proudly shared with the greater St Louis community again and again. I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of that journey for the past 10 years, and after tonight, you too will be a part of this company’s storied history and exciting future. We wouldn’t be who we are without you, so thank you for being here with us.

View photos from last year’s concert