ST. LOUIS — Winter Opera St. Louis will bridge two very different eras of American history in its upcoming production, From the Frontier to the Kitchen, running Sept. 12 and 13.
The program pairs a dramatic chamber work set on the Alaskan frontier with the St. Louis professional premiere of a comic operatic monologue inspired by Julia Child.
Opening the program is Pioneer Women: From Skagway to White Mountain by Barbara Harbach, a prominent composer native to St. Louis and University of Missouri–St. Louis professor emerita. Featuring Winter Opera St. Louis’ founder Gina Galati, the chamber work paints a vivid musical portrait of the strength and resilience of women navigating frontier life.
The mood shifts from rugged history to culinary comedy with Bon Appétit!, Lee Hoiby’s one-act operatic monologue making its professional St. Louis debut. Performed by mezzo-soprano Courtney Fletcher with piano accompaniment, the solo work captures Child’s signature charm and kitchen mishaps as she demonstrates how to bake her classic Le Gâteau au Chocolat ‘Éminence Brune’.
After the performance, the experience continues as guests are served fresh coffee alongside slices of that very same Le Gâteau au Chocolat ‘Éminence Brune’.
Performances take place at Winter Opera St. Louis, 1283 Research Blvd., with shows scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Tickets are $35 and include the post-show coffee and cake. Reservations can be made at tix.com/ticket-sales/winteroperastl/3826 or by calling 314-865-0038.