By Eric Dundon
May and June in St. Louis means outdoor adventures, Memorial Day celebrations, flowers in bloom… and Live at Powell Hall concerts with your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
On February 24, the SLSO announced a slate of Live at Powell Hall concerts for summer 2022. Newly announced concerts include a collaboration with the GRAMMY® Award-winning duo Indigo Girls (7:30pm CDT, Friday, May 20); a tribute to the music of Queen (7:30pm CDT, Friday, June 10); Ragtime, Blues, and All That Jazz with acclaimed jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling (3:00pm CDT, Sunday, June 12); and the Music of Whitney Houston (7:30pm CDT, Friday, June 17).
All concerts take place at historic Powell Hall in the Grand Center Arts District.
Tickets start at $35 for Ragtime, Blues, and All That Jazz; $38 for the Music of Queen and the Music of Whitney Houston; and $40 for Indigo Girls. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting slso.org or calling the Box Office at 314-534-1700.
On Friday, May 20, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers—better known as the Indigo Girls—return to Powell Hall for a third collaboration with the SLSO. The power of unity, both in music and in life, has been an Indigo Girls calling card ever since they burst into the spotlight with their 1989 self-titled breakout album. Since then, the band has racked up Gold and Platinum records, taken home a coveted GRAMMY® Award, and earned the respect of high-profile peers. The Indigo Girls “personify what happens when two distinct sensibilities, voices, and worldviews come together to create something transcendentally its own” (Rolling Stone).
On June 3, Gospel vocal powerhouse Ledisi returns to Powell Hall to pay homage to one of her greatest inspirations,The High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone. Ledisi Sings Nina combines a contemporary Grammy Award winner with a musician who helped shape a generation of music lovers. You’ll be “Feeling Good” for days after this incredible performance.
Recognized as one of the leading musical groups of all time, Queen shattered barriers in the rock music world with innovative orchestrations and powerful lyrics. Back by popular demand after a sold-out concert in February 2020, the SLSO and a full rock band celebrate the legendary music of Queen in a performance that bridges the gap between rock ‘n’ roll and classical music on Friday, June 10. Led by conductor Martin Herman with vocals by Mig Ayesa, experience this electrifying concert as the SLSO and rock band soar through tunes from all of Queens most memorable albums including Queen, The Works, Jazz, and more.
On Sunday, June 12, the SLSO teams up with acclaimed jazz trumpeter and conductor Byron Stripling in a concert that pays homage to distinctly American genres of music: Ragtime, Blues, and All That Jazz. In this tour de force concert, Stripling showcases ragtime masters Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton plus blues legends B.B. King and Muddy Waters. The concert includes vignettes about the music and its creators, and a finale that closes with an unforgettable toe-tapping jam session.
The SLSO and soloist Amanda Cole, led by conductor Martin Herman, pay tribute to the remarkable talents of vocalist Whitney Houston on Friday, June 17. A true Diva, the Guinness World Records named Houston as the most-awarded female act of all-time having sold over 170 million albums, singles, and videos worldwide. Her appeal extended to all ages, races, backgrounds, and continents. The concert is a tribute to Houston’s extraordinary career, and includes some of her biggest hits, including “Saving All My Love,” “How Will I Know?,” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Concerts in May and June are the latest additions to a full lineup of Live at Powell Hall concerts this season, which present a variety of concerts including special guests, film presentations, and tribute performances. Other upcoming Live at Powell Hall concerts in the 21/22 season include performances of film scores: Disney and Pixar’s Up in Concert (April 3, rescheduled from January 2), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (three performances, April 15-16, rescheduled from January 21-23), and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (May 12-15). Other upcoming Live at Powell Hall concerts include a tribute to the Music of Pink Floyd (February 26), the Music of John Williams (March 20), and a two-night collaboration with genre-bending artist Ben Folds (April 1-2).
Visit slso.org/protocols for the most up to date information on health and safety protocols.
Eric Dundon is the SLSO’s Public Relations Manager.