St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season.

Stéphane Denève will begin his journey as the 13th Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra by celebrating “an arch of Franco-American musical friendship and [exploring] their symmetric influences” throughout the company’s 140th season.

“I am overjoyed to begin my tenure as Music Director – to collaborate with this exceptional orchestra, to serve its remarkable community, and to ensure our music is even more accessible to all, ” he stated in a press release. “I dedicate this season to a Franco-American arch, honoring St. Louis’s strong and abiding connections to France and exploring our shared vibrant, sensual aesthetic – the pleasures of sound and color. Throughout the season, we will explore connections between classic repertoire and music of our time, between familiar guest artists and incredible new talent, and between Powell Hall and the vibrant St. Louis community.”

We will focus primarily on vocal performances in this article.

The season will open with a free community concert at Forest Park, featuring the all-volunteer St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus. Kevin McBeth will direct the chorus and Denève will conduct. In memory of Mary Ann Lee.

Performance Date: Sept. 12, 2019

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” will feature soprano Joélle Harvey, alto Kelley O’Connor, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Amy Kaiser will direct the chorus and Denève will conduct.

Performance Dates: Sept. 27 & 28, 2019

SLSO will present Haydn’s Symphony No. 48, “Maria Theresia,” and Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, K. 427. Featured vocalists include sopranos Mojca Erdmann and Joanne Lunn, tenor Zachary Wilder, and bass-baritone Dashon Burton, as well as the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Kaiser will direct the chorus and Masaaki Suzuki will conduct.

Performance Dates: Nov. 9 & 10, 2019

The Mercy Holiday Celebration, A Gospel Christmas featuring the St. Louis IN UNISON Chorus under the baton and direction of Kevin McBeth, and the New Year’s Eve Celebration, conducted by Denève, will take place in December. More details to come.

Performance Dates: Dec. 13 – 31, 2020

Next in the lineup, SLSO will present Kevin Puts’ “Silent Night Elegy” and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, featuring soprano Ellie Dehn, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, tenor Issachah Savage, bass-baritone Davóne Tines, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Kaiser will direct the chorus and Denève will conduct.

Performance Dates: Feb. 7 – 9, 2020

Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration, supported by Monsanto Fund, will feature the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus. McBeth will direct and conduct.

Performance Date: Feb. 21, 2020

A performance of Berlioz’ “The Damnation of Faust” will feature Isabel Leonard as Marguerite, Michael Spyres as Faust, John Relyea as Mephistopholes, and Anthony Clark Evans as Brander. Kaiser will direct the chorus and Denève will conduct.

Performance Dates: Mar. 13 & 14, 2020

SLSO will present Arvo Pärt’s “Cantus in Memorian Benjamin Britten,” Vaughan Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem,” and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5. Featured vocalists include soprano Mané Galoyan and baritone Edward Nelson, as well as the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Kaiser will direct the chorus and Gemma New will conduct.

Performance Dates: Apr. 17 & 18, 2020