2011 Season
Hector Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique is featured on Opening Night
Opening Night: Symphonie Fantastique 
Summer begins with two thrilling French musical explorations: Ravel’s encounter with American jazz performed by the great pianist Jean-Philippe Collard and Berlioz’s epic voyage into heartbreak and hallucination.
When |
Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Jean-Philippe Collard, Piano |
What |
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major |
Mendelssohn's Lobegesang celebrates the invention of the Gutenberg Press.
Mendelssohn and Peace on Earth
Felix Mendelssohn’s 1840 work for chorus and orchestra, the Lobgesang, is an ode to the power of books and human ingenuity. The program opens with Arnold Schoenberg’s unique early work Friede auf Erden (Peace on Earth) which showcases the chorus.
When |
Friday, June 17, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Saturday, June 18, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, June 16, 2011, 10:30am – 1:00pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, June 17, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Christopher Bell, Chorus Director Tamara Wilson, Soprano Maire O’Brien, Soprano Brendan Tuohy, Tenor |
What |
Schoenberg: Friede auf Erden Mendelssohn: Lobgesang |
Regina Carter, violinist
Regina Carter Reverse Thread Project
The great jazz violinist performs Billy Childs' Violin Concerto, a moving lament for those lost in the Iraq war, followed by works from her latest CD, the Reverse Thread Project.
When |
Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 6:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Regina Carter, Violin Yacouba Sissoko, Kora Will Holshouser, Accordion Chris Lightcap, Bass Alvester Garnett, Drums |
What |
Childs: Violin Concerto Ellington: The River Carter: Reverse Thread (without orchestra) |
Latin America
Latin Works for Orchestra
PLEASE NOTE CONCERT TIME CHANGE: FRIDAY'S CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 7:30PM. Carlos Kalmar leads a tour of his native continent with such works as a suite from Mexican Carlos Chavez’s futuristic ballet originally created with Diego Rivera, Brazilian Villa Lobos’ work inspired by an Amazonian bird, Chicago-based composer Elbio Barilari's work exploring the Latin American dance form Canyengue and Argentinian composer Ginastera’s work paying tribute to cellist Pablo Casals.
When |
Friday, June 24, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm Saturday, June 25, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 10:30am – 1:00pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, June 24, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
The Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor |
What |
Barilari: Canyengue Carreno: Margaritena Villa-Lobos: Uirapuru Chavez: Suite de Caballos de Vapor (Horse Power Suite) Ginastera: Glosses sobre temes de Pau Casals, Op.48 |
The Grant Park Chorus
American a Cappella
The Grant Park Chorus and Director Christopher Bell (celebrating his 10th season with the Festival) take a tour of eclectic new American works for chorus. This program is being recorded for what will become the chorus’ first-ever a cappella CD.
When |
Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Thursday, June 30, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm |
Where |
Harris Theater for Music and Dance |
Who |
Grant Park Chorus Christopher Bell, Conductor |
What |
Betinis: Toward Sunshine, Toward Freedom: Songs of Smaller Creatures Kesselman: Buzzings: Three pieces for Mixed Chorus Whitacre: When David Heard Garrop: Sonnets of Desire, Longing, and Whimsy Menotti: Regina Caeli Del Tredici: Acrostic Song from Final Alice Rorem: Seven Motets for the Church Year Crabtree: Five Romantic Miniatures from The Simpsons Whitacre: Sleep |
Mahler's Song of the Earth is inspired by Chinese poetry and culture
Mahler: Song of the Earth
One of Mahler’s final works, this series of songs based on Chinese classical poetry runs the gamut of human experiences with meditations on love, nature, drinking, solitude and the passing of time. The evening opens with Polish composer Lutosławski’s tribute to Bartók.
When |
Friday, July 1, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Saturday, July 2, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm |
Where |
Harris Theater for Music and Dance |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Alexandra Petersamer, Mezzo-Soprano Christian Elsner, Tenor |
What |
Lutosławski: Musique Funebre Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (Song of the Earth) |
Christopher Bell
Independence Celebration
This musical celebration of the meaning of America features many beloved favorites as well as a few surprises.
When |
Sunday, July 3, 2011, 5:30pm – 7:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Christopher Bell, Conductor Artists From Remy Bumppo Theatre |
What |
Key/Smith: Star Spangled Banner Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man Bagley: National Emblem March Copland: Hoe-down from Rodeo Sousa: Belle of Chicago Arr. Lowden: Armed Forces Salute Offenbach: Can Can from Orpheus in the Underworld Wendel: St. Bailey’s Rag Cohan: Star Spangled Spectacular Ward/arr. Dragon: America the Beautiful Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever |
Andrew Grams
American and Russian Landscapes
This program features a pair of works inspired by composers’ immersion in their native lands. Tchaikovsky’s symphony emerged from a vacation to Ukraine draws on local folk music while Aaron Copland’s suite is taken from an opera of the same name inspired by Walker Evans’ photographs of the Great Depression.
When |
Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Andrew Grams, Guest Conductor |
What |
Borodin: Prince Igor: Overture |
Alondra de la Parra
Spanish Guitar and Alondra de la Parra
One of the world’s rising young conductors makes her Grant Park debut with a masterpiece of Spanish classical guitar, featuring soloist David Russell, plus Dvořák's renowned symphony.
When |
Friday, July 8, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Saturday, July 9, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, July 7, 2011, 10:30am – 1:00pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, July 8, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Alondra De La Parra, Guest Conductor David Russell, Guitar |
What |
Marquez: Leyenda de Miliano |
Broadway Rocks!
Broadway Rocks
This rousing evening will be packed with songs from some of the most electrifying shows to hit the Great White Way in recent decades: Hairspray, Rent, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Tommy, and more.
When |
Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Randall Craig Fleischer, Guest Conductor Christianne Noll, Vocalist Capathia Jenkins, Vocalist Rob Evan, Vocalist Doug LaBrecque, Vocalist Chicago Gay Men's Chorus |
What |
Broadway blockbusters from some of the most electrifying shows ever to hit the Great White Way: Hairspray, Rent, Mamma Mia, Tommy, Phantom of the Opera and more! |
Krzysztof Penderecki
Penderecki Conducts Penderecki
The great contemporary Polish composer, whose work has been a touchstone in his home country and beyond since the 1950s, comes to Millennium Park to conduct his own composition featuring three solo cellists as well as Beethoven’s heroic early symphony.
When |
Friday, July 15, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Saturday, July 16, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 10:30am – 1:00pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, July 15, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Krzysztof Penderecki, Guest Conductor Julie Albers, Cello Kira Kraftzoff, Cello Amit Peled, Cello |
What |
Penderecki: Concerto Grosso No. 1 for Three Cellos and Orchestra Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) |
Kwamé Ryan
Kwame Ryan
Schumann’s grand, romantic symphony shares the program with Ravel’s stirring suite written to commemorate friends killed during WWI and a work by Swiss composer Rolf Liebermann.
When |
Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Kwamé Ryan, Guest Conductor |
What |
Liebermann: Furioso |
Fauré's Requiem
Choral Masterpieces: Bernstein and Faure
Leonard Bernstein’s choral setting of the Psalms of David (which features musical material from early sketches for West Side Story) is followed by the magnificent late 19th century requiem by Fauré.
When |
Friday, July 22, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Saturday, July 23, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 10:30am – 1:00pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, July 22, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Grant Park Chorus Christopher Bell, Conductor Ryan Belongie, Counter Tenor Lindsay Metzger, Soprano Keven Keys, Baritone |
What |
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms Bach: Cantata No. 170 (Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust) |
Sergei Prokofiev
Prokofiev Symphony No. 7
Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu begins his week-long residency with the Grant Park Music Festival with a program featuring Prokofiev's final symphony paired with contemporary composer Shchedrin’s concerto for orchestra inspired by Russian traveling carnivals.
When |
Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 26, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 26, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Hannu Lintu, Guest Conductor |
What |
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 7 Shchedrin: Concerto for Orchestra No. 3 (Old Russian Circus Music) |
Hannu Lintu
Sibelius Epic Finland
A rare chance to hear Sibelius’ early work (revised at the end of his life), based on the great national Finnish epic, the Kalevala, the source of more than a dozen of his most important compositions. Rachmaninoff’s portrait of psychological angst set against the changing of the seasons completes the evening exploring northern landscapes.
When |
Friday, July 29, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Saturday, July 30, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 26, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, July 28, 2011, 10:30am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, July 29, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Grant Park Chorus Hannu Lintu, Guest Conductor Christopher Bell, Chorus Director Johanna Rusanen, Soprano Ville Rusanen, Baritone |
What |
Rachmaninoff: Vesna (Spring), Op. 20 |
Jennifer Koh
Jennifer Koh Returns
Carlos Kalmar returns for the final three weeks of the Festival’s ten week season. He shares the stage with festival favorite, violinist Jennifer Koh, for a night of Britten and Brahms.
When |
Wednesday, August 3, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, August 3, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Jennifer Koh, Violin |
What |
Britten: Violin Concerto |
Singers from the Ryan Opera Center
Ryan Opera Center
The gifted young singers of the Lyric Opera’s training program return for an evening of great operatic scenes.
When |
Friday, August 5, 2011, 6:30pm Saturday, August 6, 2011, 7:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm |
Where |
Harris Theater for Music and Dance * Open Rehearsal: Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Ensemble Members Of The Patrick G. And Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Jack Zimmerman, Narrator |
What |
Mozart: The Impresario |
Mozart
Mozart and Strauss
Carlos Kalmar leads a celebration of the music of his country of residence as part of a week-long celebration of Austrian music.
When |
Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 6:30pm – 7:45pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor |
What |
Marches, Polkas, Waltzes from Austria |
The Book with Seven Seals
The Book with Seven Seals
This 20th century masterpiece (1937) for orchestra and chorus by Franz Schmidt vividly narrates the apocalypse.
When |
Friday, August 12, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:45pm Saturday, August 13, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:45pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, August 11, 2011, 10:30am – 1:00pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, August 12, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm CoffeeTalk: Saturday, August 13, 2011, 6:15pm – 7:00pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Grant Park Chorus Carlos Kalmar, Conductor William Spaulding, Guest Chorus Director Edith Lienbacher, Soprano Christa Ratzenböck, Mezzo-Soprano Robert Künzli, Tenor Alexander Kaimbacher, Tenor Albert Pesendorfer, Bass |
What |
Schmidt: The Book with Seven Seals SPECIAL LYRICS PILOT EXPERIMENT: |
John Adam's Chairman Dances & Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10
Shostakovich Symphony No. 10
These works focus on two of the 20th century’s political giants in radically different ways. John Adams’ short orchestral work about Mao is drawn from his opera Nixon in China and Shostakovich’s cathartic symphony was written in the wake of Stalin’s death. This program is part of the Soviet Arts Experience festival.
When |
Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor |
What |
Adams: The Chairman Dances (from the opera Nixon in China) Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Op.93 |
Verdi
Closing Night Verdi Requiem
Millennium Park will be filled with the thunderous and soaring sounds of Verdi’s great Requiem Mass featuring four outstanding soloists and the world-class Grant Park Chorus as the 2011 season comes to a majestic close.
When |
Friday, August 19, 2011, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Saturday, August 20, 2011, 7:30pm – 9:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, August 18, 2011, 10:30am – 1:00pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, August 19, 2011, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Grant Park Chorus Carlos Kalmar, Conductor William Spaulding, Guest Chorus Director Amber Wagner, Soprano Michaela Martens, Mezzo-Soprano Michael Fabiano, Tenor Kyle Ketelsen, Bass |
What |
Verdi: Requiem |
