As Johann Strauss' On the Beautiful Blue Danube soared over Forest Park's Art Hill, the skies opened and provided waterworks fitting for music inspired by Europe's second-longest river.
The deluge made the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's annual community concert in Forest Park one to remember. But the huge crowd, estimated at 22,000, braved the rain to enjoy the treasured tradition, led by SLSO Music Director Stéphane Denève. Selections included European standards like the Radetzky March, music from Georges Bizet's Carmen, and Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, alongside music from American composers including George Gershwin, Florence Price, and John Williams.
Members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus joined the orchestra for a stirring delivery of "Dry Yours Tears, Afrika," from John Williams' score to the film Amistad.
Although the event was more damp this year than usual, that didn't stop audiences from enjoying food trucks and a new family fun zone where children could conduct musicians from the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Photos by Brendan Batchelor and Justin Barr.
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