St. Louis Symphony

Missouri History Today January 24, 1968: St Louis Symphony plays first concert

This date in Missouri history. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra played its first-ever concert on the night after the St. Louis Theater was converted into Powell Hall, renamed for local businessman Walter Powell when his widow donated $1 million for it to be refurbished as the home for the symphony.

First Daughter Margaret Truman was the featured soprano soloist with the St. Louis Symphony at Kiel Opera House. She received four curtain calls and sang two encores.

The St. Louis Choral Society was founded by SLSO's first Music Director Joseph Otten on September 1, 1880.