Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) has unveiled a riveting lineup of world premieres for the 2025 New Works Collective stands as a catalyst for innovative, community-driven programming within the American opera scene. This initiative solicited nationwide applications from aspiring creatives before submitting all entries to a community panel for adjudication. A group of ten St. Louis citizens independently interviewed and selected the six artists who will create new operas in 2025.

The three teams are made up of composer Concert Black and librettist Alicia Revé Like, composer Meili Tsui and librettist Melisa Tien, and composer Tim Amukele and librettist Jarrod Lee. They will work closely with a stage director and collaborate with OTSL’s artistic leadership and staff to develop and workshop their 20-minute operas. All three pieces will then be performed as one suite of works on Feb. 6–8, 2025.

Closing out the 2025 New Works Collective are composer Tim Amukele and librettist Jarrod Lee. Their opera is based on the true story of Amanirenas, the one-eyed queen who ruled the kingdom of Kush (modern-day Sudan) for decades. During her reign, Amanirenas did what few other rulers could: she resisted a Roman invasion, fought alongside her troops, and successfully preserved the independence of her nation. – Opera Theatre of St. Louis

Performances: February 6, 7, and 8, 2025

Link to tickets for OTSL New Works Collective coming soon…

Link to Press Release for OTSL New Works Collective / Kandake by Timothy Amukele & Jarrod Lee