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Larger-Than-Life Production Of ‘Carmina Burana’ At The Touhill

When a symphony orchestra performs Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” it’s always something of a spectacle.  The stage is packed to the brim with a large orchestra including two pianos and celeste, vocal soloists, a chorus and children’s chorus.  But Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling’s vision of “Carmina Burana” employing 120 singers, 60 orchestral musicians and 40 dancers takes the work to new proportions. 

A collaboration between Dance St. Louis and the University of Missouri – St. Louis brings the Nashville Ballet to the Touhill Performing Arts Center stage for performances February 21 - 24.  The dancers will be joined by the University of Missouri – St. Louis Singers and Orchestra, the Bach Society of Saint Louis and theSt. Louis Children’s Choirs for a larger-than-life production.  The choruses and dancers will take to the stage while the orchestra performs in the pit.  The production marks the first time that the full pit of the Touhill will be utilized.

Nashville Ballet Artistic Director and CEO Paul Vasterling, University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Fine Arts and Communication Interim Dean James Richards and University of Missouri – St. Louis Associate Professor of Music Jim Henry were Steve Potter’s guests on “Cityscape.”  Vasterling shared insights on the development of the choreography of his work. Henry who directs the University Singers, and Richards who will conduct the orchestra and choruses, discussed the music and the collaboration.  They also discussed the opening act of the performance, Dance St. Louis Artistic Director Michael Uthoff's "Bach Cantata No. 10" featuring MADCO.

Related Event

Dance St. Louis and the University of Missouri - St. Louis Present the Nashville Ballet, UMSL Orchestra and Singers, Bach Society and St. Louis Children's Choirs in "Carmina Burana"
Feburary 21 - 23, 2013
8:00 p.m.
Feburary 24, 2013
2:00 p.m.
UMSL's Touhill Performing Arts Center
(314) 516-4949

Touhill Performing Arts Center Website

Mary Edwards is a producer for St. Louis Public Radio's broadcast program, "St. Louis Symphony."
Alex is the executive producer of "St. Louis on the Air" at St. Louis Public Radio.