Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’s General Director Andrew Jorgensen has announced two new members of the company’s artistic leadership team.

The company announced that soprano Patricia Racette will join Opera Theatre as the Artistic Director of Young Artist Programs and Damon Bristo will join Opera Theatre, succeeding Paul Kilmer as the Director of Artistic Administration.

In a press release, Jorgensen stated, “I am excited to welcome these extraordinary new colleagues to Opera Theatre’s artistic leadership. I’ve known Patricia and Damon for many years, and respect each of them immensely. Patricia Racette is an incomparable singer and visionary artist who also triumphed in her directorial debut here in 2018. She has a rich depth of wisdom and perspective to share with young singers, and I know she will help advance OTSL’s artistic mission. I am equally thrilled to welcome Damon Bristo, who possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the operatic canon in addition to having managed one of the finest rosters in our business. He brings a deep commitment to discovering and promoting young talent. These two appointments mark an exciting new chapter in Opera Theatre’s artistic leadership.”

With the new position, Racette and Bristo will work closely with Artistic Director James Robinson and Resident Conductor and Head of Music Roberto Kalb in support of Opera Theatre’s artistic planning. Racette will also help to identify and audition young artists from around the country in addition to supervising the activities of Opera Theatre’s Gerdine Young Artist and Richard Gaddes Festival Artist Programs.

Meanwhile, Bristo will help to plan, cast, and produce all artistic activities at Opera Theatre, ranging from the festival season to special events and off-season programs.

Racette and Bristo will begin their contracts with Opera Theatre in September.