The new opera is adapted from the popular novel of the same name by Salman Rushdie. It tells the story of childhood friends Shalimar and Boonyi, who grow up in a village in Kashmir as part of a folk theatre troupe. One is Muslim and one is Hindu and when they fall in love, their marriage is accepted, despite the odds. Their bond is torn apart by an American visitor and the promise of a new life. Perla's score weaves the musical traditions of Kashmir, using tabla drums and sitar.

Performances are set to begin June 11; Jayce Ogren will conduct, and OTSL's artistic director James Robinson will direct. Tenor Sean Panikkar has been tapped to play the title role alongside mezzo-soprano Katharine Goeldner.

Joseph's Guards at the Taj, recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Award, is currently in previews at the Atlantic Theater Off-Broadway. Joseph is a Pulitzer finalist for his play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, which played the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in 2011.

The new festival season will also feature Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme, kicking off the season on May 21 and will be followed by Giuseppe Verdi's Macbeth, opening May 28. June will see a staging of Richard Strauss' musical comedy Ariadne on Naxos as well as the second annual Center Stage concert, showcasing the company's younger artists. The season will conclude on June 26.

For more information visit Opera-Stl or phone (314) 961-0644. OTSL is located at 210 Hazel Ave., St. Louis, MO.