Anyone for Opera at the Touhill?

Guess what? North County is home to a stunning world-class, European-style opera house.

When the Touhill Performing Arts Center opened on the UMSL campus in 2003, many were aghast that it had been built in North County. Two years later, as the beautiful European-style opera house struggled to fill its 1,625 seats, UMSL’s student newspaper blamed it partially on the center’s location, saying “North County does not have a reputation as a hotbed of quality cultural programming.”

Left unsaid was that many of the Touhill’s core customers – affluent seniors from Kirkwood, Clayton and Ladue – were actually afraid to go there. I’m sure some still are.

But when you step back and deal in reality, not just perception, the truth is this: Crime rates in Grand Center, the “cultural hotbed” surrounding the Fox Theatre, are way higher than those on the UMSL campus or in the Touhill’s 63121 zip code.

It is perfectly safe to see a show at the Touhill. And quite enjoyable too. The place truly is breathtaking. So why don’t more people go there, especially those who live in North County?

I think it boils down to price and programming.

The Touhill's dramatic lines and sweeping curves were designed by the firm of world renowned architect I.M. Pei. The building has two performance halls and can be rented out for events.

Music is a very personal thing, so I’d never knock someone else’s taste. But I would also never pay $30-55 per ticket to see the slew of “adult contemporary” performers that roll through the Touhill. And I don’t think I’m alone.

Spyro Gyra performing Christmas songs? No thanks. But you know what I will go see at the Touhill? Opera.

I’ve always wanted to see an opera, and what better place than a gorgeous, authentic opera house? On October 21, Teatro Lirico d’Europa will stage Puccini’s classic opera La Bohème, the tragic love story of a poet and his ailing sweetheart in Paris’ Latin Quarter.

A famous opera, performed in Italian, right here in North County! Count me in. I’m also looking forward to La Traviata on January 16, featuring this glorious number that even non-opera fans will recognize. Care to join me?

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