(Credit: Damjan Svarc)

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has announced that contracts for both Artistic Director James Robinson and Artistic Director of Young Artist Programs Patricia Racette have been extended to 2026, and that conductor Daniela Candillari has been named OTSL’s first Principal Conductor in a new three-year appointment.

In a statement, General Director Andrew Jorgensen said, “Opera Theatre is fortunate to have such a brilliant and innovative artistic team. We are elated to extend the contracts of James Robinson and Patricia Racette. They are pushing this art form forward in dynamic ways, and their visionary work enables us to continue taking bold and transformative steps in opera. We are equally thrilled about Daniela Candillari’s appointment, and are looking forward to her musical leadership in the coming years. Cementing these three contracts is an essential step in OTSL’s continued growth and journey towards even greater artistic heights.”

In the newly created role of Principal Conductor, Candillari will collaborate with OTSL’s leadership to shape the artistic direction of the company, providing oversight to ensure the highest quality of musical preparation for each production and partnering with the musicians of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Candillari made her OTSL debut in 2021 with the New Works, Bold Voices Lab and has worked with the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Los Angeles Opera, and Opera Philadelphia.

In a statement, the conductor said, “I am extremely excited to be joining Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as Principal Conductor. During my debut in St. Louis last season, I felt welcomed by OTSL, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the audience; I also felt an incredible connection to the city and community of St. Louis. Since coming to the US as a student, I have always admired OTSL’s commitment to young artists, new repertoire, and their high level of artistic achievement. I look forward to building a strong relationship with OTSL in the coming years, and working with the entire team who make OTSL a leading American opera company.”

Meanwhile Artistic Director, James Robinson will continue to play an instrumental role in curating each season at OTSL, and is a resource for rising composers and librettists across the nation. Patricia Racette will also continue being instrumental in the growth of OTSL’s widely acclaimed Gerdine Young Artist Program.

All three will help bring the 2022 Festival Season to life with Robinson directing the world premiere of Tobias Picker’s A”wakenings,” about the famous neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks’s efforts to cure a pandemic, and will also co-direct the new performing edition of Stewart Wallace’s “Harvey Milk.” In addition to working with the Gerdine Young Artists, Patricia Racette will co-curate the Center Stage concert with Robinson, and Daniela Candillari will conduct the opening opera of the 2022 Festival Season, Bizet’s “Carmen.”