Chicago Symphony Orchestra Summer Residency
Ravinia is the verdant summer home of the CSO.
The CSO has been a regular guest since 1905, and Ravinia became its summer residence in 1936. Each year, the orchestra headlines more than a dozen concerts over six weeks, featuring music that stirs emotions from the first hearing to the fiftieth. Whether up close in seats or relaxed across the Lawn, enjoying the CSO at Ravinia is an idyllic setting for experiencing some of the most moving music from history and today.
Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop leads three weeks of programs with guests ranging from Tony and Grammy winner Heather Headley to swift new star pianist Yunchan Lim, as well as the can’t-miss drama of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and a specially expanded presentation of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Several guest conductors and soloists also join the orchestra onstage throughout the summer, including Mei-Ann Chen with pianist Jeremy Denk, Alsop’s Baltimore successor Jonathon Heyward, and siblings Joshua and Alisa Weilerstein. Grammy winner Rufus Wainwright returns to celebrate his Want albums, and Tony-winning orchestrator Ted Sperling salutes the music of iconic singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Carly Simon.
Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop leads three weeks of programs with guests ranging from Grammy winner and 2018 Instrumentalist of the Year violinist Augustin Hadelich to swift new stars pianist Hayato Sumino and cellist Abel Selaocoe, as well as the can’t-miss opening night of American works, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue, and an evening dedicated to Mahler’s Ninth Symphony.
Several guest conductors and soloists also join the orchestra onstage throughout the summer, including a weekend of Mozart with James Conlon featuring the opera Idomeneo and violinist James Ehnes; Alsop protégés Carolyn Kuan, Valentina Peleggi, and Jonathan Rush, and violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Broadway stars Jessie Mueller, Norm Lewis, and Karen Mason join the Gala Benefit Evening to salute screen and stage composer Henry Mancini’s centennial, and Tony-winning orchestrator Ted Sperling highlights the music of iconic songwriter Paul Simon.
Upcoming Performances
Second Annual Breaking Barriers Festival
Building on last summer’s successful inaugural events, 2023’s Breaking Barriers Festival celebrates women composers—classical and jazz artists as well as singer-songwriters—who are featured throughout the season. Surrounding the three evening concerts this weekend are panel roundtables, a composer workshop, and more events presented in collaboration with New Music USA and The Chicago Network. Alongside Marin Alsop, the guest leaders include former London Southbank Centre artistic director Jude Kelly, who founded and heads the WOW Foundation, as well as Chicago-based composers and some of the weekend’s featured artists.
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When Do Tickets Go On Sale?
Tickets to the CSO Residency and the entire 2024 Ravinia season go on sale April 24. Ravinia donors get early access to tickets and discounts on reserved seats at certain levels.
