Opera Theatre of St. Louis has hired soprano Patricia Racette to find the best and brightest opera students to perform at the midwestern classic arts venue.

In this role, Racette will launch a nationwide audition to find singers for the Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ Gerdine Young Artist and Richard Gaddes Festival Artist programs, including the annual Center Stage concert. The opera star will also helm the performances.

Racette has worked with students at the Juilliard School, San Francisco Opera and the Santa Fe Opera among others, offering an intensive seminar called Integrative Artistry. The soprano made her directorial debut with OTSL’s production of La Traviata in 2018 and has performed at venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Teatro alla Scala, and Royal Opera House Covent Garden.

Additionally, Damon Bristo comes to OTSL as director of artistic administration, with prior experience at LA Opera, Wolf Trap, and the Washington National Opera. Bristo will focus on building the OTSL’s regular season, special events, and off-season performances.

Both will start their new roles in September, working with Artistic Director James Robinson and resident conductor and head of music Roberto Kalb.