This summer was Chicago Philharmonic’s biggest summer YET! We’ve been brimming with excitement as we’ve showcased unforgettable film concerts, delved into meaningful community initiatives, and embarked on thrilling collaborations. And guess what? The season hasn’t even officially begun and we’re already starting the year out stronger than ever. Let’s take a moment to reflect on this spectacular summer.
HERE’S WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO LATELY…
- Somos Un Solo Pueblo: Mexico y Puerto Rico at Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Saturday, August 26, 2023 - Encanto in Concert at Ravinia Festival
Sunday, August 27, 2023 - Jurassic Park in Concert at Ravinia Festival
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 - Harris Fest at Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Saturday, September 9, 2023
SOMOS UN SOLO PUEBLO: MEXICO Y PUERTO RICO
On Saturday, August 26, we presented a wonderful, one-of-a-kind symphonic concert in partnership with the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance that honored and celebrated Chicago’s vibrant and diverse Puerto Rican and Mexican communities.
With the full Chicago Philharmonic, this concert was made up of respected and renowned artists and local organizations such as Cuerdas Clasicas, AfriCaribe, the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, and more! Artists include; famed cuatrista – Christian Nieves, tenor – Alan Pingarrón, bass-baritone/Ryan Opera Center Ensemble-member – Ricardo Rivera, and mezz-soprano – Gabrielle Timofeeva on the iconic Chicago Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage.
With a whopping 5500 people in attendance, we’re thrilled to have made this amazing concert possible alongside Chicago’s very own, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance.
ENCANTO IN CONCERT
We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no… But we’re gonna talk about our SOLD OUT performance at Ravinia Festival for our first film concert of the season — Encanto in Concert! This fun and memorable score echoed throughout Ravinia for an exceptional night of music and film. With a grand orchestra playing, wonderful picnic weather, and Ravinia’s high-definition LED screens — film concerts at Ravinia absolutely elevate the movie-watching experience to new heights.
JURASSIC PARK IN CONCERT
What better way to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Jurassic Park than to attend Jurassic Park in Concert! Chicago Philharmonic had the honor of playing John Williams‘ iconic score as the film was projected to screen for yet another thrilling movie experience.
Attendees were able to meet and interact with Dinosaurs as they roamed about Ravinia prior to the concert before treating themselves to a night of nostalgia. But for many, this concert was an exciting way to introduce Jurassic Park to a new generation as young adults, teens, and kids alike sat in awe, amazed by the film’s trailblazing visuals and music.
HARRIS FEST: MUSIC + DANCE IN THE PARK
On September 9, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance kicked off its 20th-anniversary season with a HUGE concert that Chicago Philharmonic was thrilled to be a part of. As the Phil celebrates its 9th anniversary as a resident company at the Harris, we were happy to perform as a part of “Harris Fest: Music + Dance in the Park” on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage in Millenium Park. Guest artists included; violinist Njioma Grevious, and singer-songwriter/multiinstrumentalist Sleeping At Last, under the baton of guest conductor Kalena Bovell.
Inaugural Artist in Residence and 2023 Sphinx Competition winner Njioma Grevious entranced audience members in performing the first movement of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “irresistibly tuneful and big-hearted” (Gramophone) Violin Concerto in G Minor.
Chicago Philharmonic then accompanied 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, Turning Page, Venus, Sun, and Saturn. With hundreds of people coming in support of Sleeping at Last, some even going as far as flying out for this performance, Sleeping At Last set was repeatedly mentioned as the highlight of the night.
Ryan even kindly stayed after the performance to meet with fans, take photos, and sign autographs, creating unforgettable memories for his dedicated followers who had traveled near and far to witness this extraordinary collaboration between Sleeping At Last and Chicago Philharmonic.
With a packed pavilion, we are grateful for the Harris Theater’s presence and support to the Chicagoland performing arts community. Founded on the principle of serving Chicago’s performing arts organizations, the Harris Theater of Music and Dance provides a substantial amount of support for its Resident Companies, which we were proud to recognize and celebrate this past weekend.
MISSED US? We’ve got more concerts coming up.
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.
Chicago Philharmonic Presents Aria Masterpieces with 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 orchestra.
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 opera, Champion, and has made solo appearances with the New York Philharmonic and 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”.