Free and open to all July 16 ticketholders!
Before the July 16 performance of The Abduction from the Seraglio, join us for a talk by conductor and former Ravinia music director (2005–15) James Conlon, featuring his insights about opera and Mozart’s music from his decades of advocacy for the composer’s once-overlooked foundational theater works.
Now Conductor Laureate of Los Angeles Opera—following 20 seasons as the company’s music director, leading approximately 525 performances—Conlon is a rare figure whose work has shaped classical music life in the US and Europe for more than five decades, widely recognized for his versatility conducting symphonic, operatic, and choral repertoire. He has also led more than 270 performances at the Metropolitan Opera since 1976, and among many other leadership posts, he was principal conductor of the Paris National Opera (1995–2004).
About James Conlon • James Conlon’s writings
James Conlon will present his lecture from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 16 only in the Sandra K. Crown Theater.
Know Before You Go
Getting to Ravinia: Parking, Rideshare & Train
Free Parking Onsite • Free Metra UP-N Train
Park in the West Parking Lot at 201 Ravinia Park Rd. The lot opens 1 hour before the listed “Public Gates” time.
Park and Ride shuttles are not in service for this event.
Alert your driver: Uber, Lyft, and other car services must use one of the following parking lots to drop off and pick up guests.
- West Parking Lot (201 Ravinia Park Rd) — inbound access allowed up to 30 minutes before the end of the performance
- Braeside Train Station (10 N. St. Johns Ave) — ¼ mile walk from Ravinia
- Ravinia Train Station (680 St. Johns Ave) — ½ mile walk from Ravinia
- No drop-offs or pick-ups are allowed on public streets. If Highland Park Police or Ravinia staff redirect traffic, please follow those instructions.
Ride the Metra Union Pacific North Line train to and from our main entrance for free with your Ravinia ticket.
More Train Info
Views of the Stage
The Martin Theatre is an indoor venue.
While live audio from the performance is broadcast outside* for Lawn ticketholders, the stage is not visible from any location on the Lawn.
* Kids Concert Series performances are not broadcast to the Lawn, and Lawn tickets are not available for purchase.
Prohibited Items
Any item deemed harmful or unsafe by Ravinia staff is prohibited.
While comfort and enjoyment of a night out at Ravinia are our top priorities, guests are prohibited from bringing the following items into the park:
- Firearms or explosives (including those possessed by off-duty officers or concealed carry license holders)
- Professional photographic and video or audio recording equipment
- Grills, firepits, or large open flames
- Chafing fuel or other canned heating products (e.g., Sterno)
- Beer kegs
- Athletic equipment (e.g., balls and flying discs)
- Bicycles, scooters, or skates (bike racks can be found outside the west and south entrances)
- Animals, except for service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities
- Tents or canopies
- Umbrellas over six feet in diameter
- Anything that needs to be staked into the ground
- Drones or other flying apparatus
- Items intended for protest, solicitation, or promotion not related to the event
Contact the box office (847-266-5100) with any questions.
Performance Content
At Ravinia, we believe that music has the power to bring people together. While we do not control what artists share, we ask all participants—artists and audiences alike—to uphold the spirit of respect, community, and connection that Ravinia offers.
Should any circumstance threaten physical safety, we will take appropriate action to ensure the well-being of our guests, artists, and staff.
Park Map
View or download our park map for the locations of Ravinia’s venues, parking lots, restrooms, first aid station, chair/table rental pickup, Festival Shop, and in-park dining options.
About the Performance
Performers
Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
James Conlon, conductor
Kathryn Lewek, soprano (Konstanze)
Miles Mykkanen, tenor (Belmonte)
Sarah Dufresne, soprano (Blonde)
Brenton Ryan, tenor (Pedrillo)
Morris Robinson, bass (Osmin)
Jefferson Mays, actor (Pasha & Narrator)
Creative/Production Team
Harry Silverstein, stage director
Madeline Slettedahl, head coach
Adrienne Bader, stage manager
Katrina Bachus, assistant stage manager