Ravinia 2011: Classical highlights
By DOROTHY ANDRIES Classical Music Writer June 7, 2011 10:54AM
James Conlon | Ravinia Festival
Updated: June 10, 2011 9:43AM
The Ravinia Festival’s 2011 classical music season embraces everything from solo recitals to chamber music and grand orchestral evenings.
For those with limited time and/or budget — which includes almost everyone — here are some suggestions for programs that should not be missed. Whether in the outdoor pavilion, the Arts and Crafts confines of the Martin Theatre or year-round Bennett-Gordon Hall, all are worth your time and the price of admission.
The Chicago Symphony, which marks its 75th season on the festival grounds in Highland Park, is in residence from July 7 through Aug. 14, presenting 15 pavilion concerts.
Listening to Liszt: The orchestra’s first three will be conducted by Ravinia’s past music director Christoph Eschenbach, who remains a festival favorite. Two celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer and piano superstar Franz Liszt, with Lang Lang on July 7, when pavilion tickets are $100/$70, lawn $15, and Andre Watts on July 8, with pavilion tickets $70/$40; lawn $10. Both are at 8 p.m.
Singular songstress: If you can only go to one, however, go the third night and hear powerful operatic soprano Deborah Voigt sing arias by Wagner and Richard Strauss, including music from “Tannhauser,” “Die Walkure,” “Elektra,” and “Salome.” Music from “Siegfried’s Rhine Journey” from “Gotterdammerung” and “Dance of the Seven Veils” from “Salome” also will be played. 7:30 p.m. July 9. $70/$40 in the pavilion; lawn $10.
Rock with Sergei: If Rachmaninoff is to your taste, you’ll love the CSO’s concert, under the baton of James Conlon, Ravinia’s current music director, with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus in the composer’s “Vesna” (“Spring”) cantata and Alexander Romanovsky playing “Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini.” 8 p.m. July 21. $60/$70 in the pavilion; lawn $10.
Live for art: Maestro Conlon will conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a concert version of Puccini’s “Tosca,” with Patricia Racette in the title role and Bryn Terfel as the evil Scarpia, and the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and the Chicago Children’s Choir. 7:30 p.m. July 30. $100/$70 in the pavilion; lawn $15.
Keyboard elegance: Pianist Jorge Federico Osorio, who last summer dazzled audiences and critics with his performance of all five Beethoven piano concertos with the CSO, gives a recital of works by Liszt, Schumann, Chopin and Mexican composer Ricardo Castro. 8 p.m. Aug. 3 Martin Theatre. $35 in the Martin; lawn $10.
Everybody loves Ma: Internationally known cellist Yo-Yo Ma will play Tchaikovsky’s “Andante Cantabile” and “Variations on a Rococo Theme” with Conlon leading the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. Aug. 8. $100/$70 in the pavilion; lawn $15.
When did they practice? The 5 Browns, siblings and Juilliard grads all, will play a variety of keyboard works and then, with the CSO and Conlon, present the world premiere of the Ravinia commission “The Edge of the World” for five pianos and orchestra by Nico Muhly. 8 p.m. Aug. 9. $50/ $25 in the pavilion; lawn $10.
Here are a few other concerts that look appealing — a bonus for those who make Ravinia their summer place.
School star: Violin superstar Joshua Bell solos with the Summer Festival Orchestra from Indiana University, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of its Jacobs School of Music. The program includes Stravinsky’s “Firebird” Suite. 7:30 p.m. July 2. $35 in the pavilion; lawn $10.
Double-header: Piano virtuoso Valentina Lisitsa will give a recital of pieces by Mozart, Chopin, Schubert, Liszt and Schubert works arranged by Liszt on Aug. 18 and on Aug. 19 the Lincoln Trio will give festival premieres of music by six women composers. Both at 6 p.m. in Bennett Gordon Hall and each has an admission price of $10.
Know the score: Also on Aug. 18 and 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the pavilion the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ludwig Wicki, will play Howard Shore’s score for “Lord of the Rings —Fellowship of the Ring.” The Lakeside Singers, the Chicago Chorale and the Chicago Children’s Choir will take part. The complete film will be shown with lawn screens. $50 in the pavilion; lawn $25.
Enjoy the summer!
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