Chicago Philharmonic gifted the audience on that night… We were seeing real people who looked like us on the movie screen… and in the Philharmonic on stage.
—Third Coast Review, Marvel Studious’ Black Panther in Concert
Thrilled to showcase its highly anticipated 2023-2024 season, Chicago Philharmonic presents an innovative and diverse program that celebrates the rich tapestry of musical expression. As a champion of inclusivity and artistic exploration, our organization is committed to presenting a season that reflects the vibrant diversity of the Chicagoland community. Audiences can anticipate enjoying an array of musical genres, cultures, and perspectives as Chicago Philharmonic performs riveting works beside trailblazing solo artists, bands, and composers. From masterpieces of the classical canon to cutting-edge contemporary orchestrations, this season invites you to explore the dynamic world of orchestral music. Here’s what you can look forward to so far!
JULY
Chicago Philharmonic At Ravinia’s 2023 Breaking Barriers Festival
Sunday, July 23, 2023
2:00 to 4:30 pm in Bennett Gordon Hall, at Ravinia Festival.
Chicago Philharmonic will participate in Ravinia’s Breaking Barriers workshop titled “Premiering New Works”, this workshop is part of Ravinia’s Inaugural Breaking Barriers Festival, which celebrates women composers in classical, jazz, and singer-songwriter genres. Three Chicago-area composers were selected from a New Music USA call for scores and will collaborate with six Taki Alsop Conducting Fellows to bring their new works to life. Guided by Marin Alsop, Augusta Read Thomas, and Clarice Assad, this workshop aims to highlight the various perspectives that contribute to an orchestral premiere, showcasing how different conductors bring nuance to the same piece and the process of composing and managing limited time with an orchestra. Live recordings of Chicago Philharmonic performing the awardees’ pieces will be available.
AUGUST
Inaugural Millennium Park Residency: Somos Un Solo Pueblo – FREE
Saturday, August 26, 2023
6:00 – 8:00 pm at Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
In partnership with the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Chicago Philharmonic, Cuerdas Clásicas, and AfriCaribe come together to present “Somos un Solo Pueblo, Mexico y Puerto Rico” on August 26, 2023, as part of the inaugural Millennium Park Residency Program. This unique symphonic concert celebrates and honors the vibrant and diverse Puerto Rican and Mexican communities in Chicago, featuring the full Chicago Philharmonic and special guests on the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage. Led by Emeritus Puerto Rico Symphony Conductor Roselin Pabón and Symphony Conductor & Composer Sergio Cárdenas, the concert showcases a cross-cultural repertoire, including beloved Puerto Rican songs like “Preciosa,” along with Bomba and Plena music. Joining in the celebration, Chicago groups Latin Music Project Ensemble, Cuerdas Clásicas, and AfriCaribe, as well as guest artists from Mexico and Puerto Rico, promise to deliver a truly memorable and enriching musical experience. Additionally, the audience is encouraged to stay tuned for other advance “pop-up” music presentations that will soon be scheduled in the Millennium Park grounds.
Disney’s Encanto in Concert!
Sunday, August 27, 2023
6:00 – 8:00 pm at Ravinia Festival.
Experience the magic of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning film ENCANTO brought to life by Chicago Philharmonic this summer! The smash-hit Disney film will be screened at Ravinia Festival, accompanied by Chicago’s most dynamic orchestra, celebrating all the record-breaking hit songs from the beloved soundtrack. ENCANTO’s infectious score, composed by Germaine Franco, marks her historic achievement as the first woman to score a Disney animated feature film. The film’s original songs, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, add to the enchantment, showcasing his talent as a renowned songwriter, actor, singer, filmmaker, and playwright known for creating Hamilton and In the Heights on Broadway, as well as soundtracks for animated films like Moana, Encanto, and Vivo.
Jurassic Park in Concert
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
7:00 – 10:00 PM at Ravinia Festival.
Relive the magic of Jurassic Park on the big screen and celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a thrilling performance of John Williams’ iconic score by Chicago Philharmonic. The action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, this epic film is sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making.
SEPTEMBER
Harris Theater’s 20th Anniversary Concert – FREE
Saturday, September 9, 2023
6:00 – 9:00 pm at Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
This September, Chicago Philharmonic celebrates the start of its eighth season as a Harris Theater Resident Company at the Harris Theater’s 20th Anniversary concert!
In a free concert at Millenium Park, experience an exclusive sneak peek of Chicago Philharmonic’s highly anticipated 2024–2025 Season and 35th anniversary year with performances featuring dazzling guest artists. Inaugural Artist in Residence and 2023 Sphinx Competition winner Njioma Grevious performs the first movement of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “irresistibly tuneful and big-hearted” (Gramophone) Violin Concerto in G Minor. Chicago Philharmonic then collaborates with local, established singer, songwriter, and producer Ryan O’Neal (stage name: Sleeping at Last) for exciting new orchestral arrangements of the star’s heartfelt hit singles, including Saturn, Sun, and Turning Page.
Chicago Philharmonic X Tank And The Bangas
Saturday, September 30, 2023
7:30 – 10:30 pm at Auditorium Theatre.
Two-time Grammy-nominated, New Orleans-based group Tank and The Bangas are quickly gaining wide acclaim with an incredibly uncategorical soulful mixture of R&B, hip-hop and spoken-word that’s fused into an atomically combustible energetic live performance. Led by the incomparable Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Tank and The Bangas is joined by Chicago’s “Ferrari of orchestras” to newly unleash their music as a massive orchestral concert experience.
OCTOBER
Chicago Philharmonic Presents Ryan Speedo Green
Saturday, October 14, 2023
7:30 – 10:00 pm at Harris Theater for Music and Dance.
Chicago Philharmonic and Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Scott Speck are thrilled to welcome two-time Grammy Award winning bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green. In an epoch-spanning concert performance, Green sings selections from opera and musical masterworks with Chicago’s dynamic, musician-led orchestra at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.
Green has established himself as one of the great bass-baritones in a generation, praised for his rich tone and commanding stage presence. He made his leading role debut at the Metropolitan Opera this past April in Terence Blanchard’s critically acclaimed Champion, and has made solo appearances with the New York Philharmonic, the Opéra national de Paris, and the LA Philharmonic. Green won his second Grammy Award for the role of Uncle Paul in Terence Blanchard’s groundbreaking Fire Shut Up in My Bones at the Met Opera in a performance Opera Wire praised as “simply a revelation”.
Sonic Symphony
Saturday, October 28, 2023
8:00 – 10:00 pm at Auditorium Theatre.
Get ready to run down memory lane at Sonic speed! Sonic Symphony is an immersive live experience that celebrates more than three decades of music from SEGA’s iconic mascot. From the classic 8-bit and 16-bit tunes to rock bands and EDM, this concert will take you on a musical journey through the colorful world of Sonic the Hedgehog. Relive your favorite Sonic moments, brought to life by a symphony orchestra and rock band. Sonic Symphony will be an electrifying tribute to the music that has defined generations of gamers, old and new. Don’t miss the chance to experience the sounds of Sonic like never before! Presented by MGP Live.
JANUARY
Terence Blanchard: Film Scores LIVE!
Saturday, January 13, 2024
7:30 – 9:30 pm at Auditorium Theatre.
Terence Blanchard is a true visionary in the world of jazz, with a creative output that extends far beyond the genre into film scoring, television soundscapes, and grand operas that have been recognized at the highest levels of art appreciation. With over 75 credits to his name, Blanchard is a titan in the world of film and television. Witness his incredible artistry with Chicago’s most dynamic orchestra, including selections from his iconic 32-year partnership with Spike Lee (Blackkklansman, Da 5 Bloods, Mo Better Blues), Regina King (One Night in Miami), and Gina Prince (The Woman King). The music comes to life at the hands of Blanchard’s sensational quintet and full orchestra, with specially curated images of the films projected throughout the performance.