february, 2024
New Year Concert & Celebration: Year of the Dragon
Event Details
New Year Concert & Celebration: Year of the Dragon
Get ready for an exhilarating musical celebration of the Chinese New Year! Chicago Philharmonic, in partnership with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China and supported by the China General Chamber of Commerce Chicago, invites you to a FREE concert and celebration.
Experience the enchanting Butterfly Lovers Concerto with pipa virtuoso Yang Wei and the cinematic Crouching Tiger Cello Concerto performed by Chicago Philharmonic cellist Mara McClain.
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music, culture, and friendship.
This event is completely free; registration required.
This concert is SOLD OUT.
Ticket reservations for this free symphonic concert and celebration have all been claimed, but don’t worry, you still have a chance to attend. Sign up to receive notice if more tickets become available, as well as information regarding the day-of performance standby line.
Did you register already, but can no longer attend? Email the Box Office at info@harristheaterchicago.org so we can make your tickets available to others.
Program Sponsor
Bank of China
Supporting Sponsors
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Chicago Sister Cities International, World Business Chicago, Constellation Energy Corporation, Huang and Hu PC, China General Chamber of Commerce Chicago
If you would like to support and contribute to this free event click here!
Program Book
ABOUT CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC
Founded by musicians of the Lyric Opera Orchestra in 1979, The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a collaboration of nearly 200 of the highest-level classical musicians in the Midwest. The orchestra, known as Chicago Philharmonic, has been called one of the country’s finest symphonic orchestras. The brilliance of Chicago Philharmonic’s structure is in its versatility – the organization curates the best ensemble for each concert from an exceptional pool of musicians, be it classical, jazz, pops, movie concerts, outreach programming, and everything else.
Chicago Philharmonic presents a robust and varied collection of programming throughout 2024, including 5 film-in-concert events at the historic Auditorium Theatre and the groundbreaking orchestra premiere with hit artist Sleeping At Last. Find out more at chicagophilharmonic.org.
ABOUT SCOTT SPECK
With recent performances in London, Paris, Moscow, Beijing, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, Scott Speck has inspired international acclaim as a conductor of passion, intelligence, and winning personality. Scott Speck was named Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Chicago Philharmonic in June of 2013 and has been Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet since 2010. He has become a frequent guest for the Chicago Symphony’s family concerts. His work with Chicago Philharmonic earned him the award “2021 Conductor of the Year” from the Illinois Council of Orchestras.
Scott Speck is the co-author of two of the world’s bestselling books on classical music, Classical Music for Dummies and Opera for Dummies. These books have received stellar reviews in both national and international press, have garnered enthusiastic endorsements from major American orchestras, and have been translated into twenty languages. His third book in the series, Ballet for Dummies, was released to great acclaim as well. For more information visit scottspeck.org.
ABOUT YANG WEI
Yang Wei’s musical education began at the early age of six. As a young student of music, he received instruction in several different classical Chinese instruments. At 13, the decision was made to concentrate his considerable talents upon mastering the Pipa.
The years of study and dedication began to pay off at 18 when he performed as a soloist with the National Shanghai Orchestra. This accomplishment was followed by his achievement of the ART Trophy First Prize for the International Chinese Musical Instruments Competition, in the Young Professional Pipa Section, which he was awarded in 1989.
As a professional musician, he has been celebrated worldwide, performing for and inspiring audiences throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. His professional activities have included performing as a soloist with various orchestras and in various ensembles, teaching and participating in educational programs in both public and educational settings. Since 2000, Yang Wei has toured with the acclaimed Silk Road Project performing alongside world famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In the United States, he has performed at such known venues as the Ravinia International Music Festival, the Kimmel Center, the Lincoln Center and the Chicago Symphony Center. In addition to these performances, he has served as Artist-in-Residence for the Art Institute of Chicago and has led international music lectures. He has been instrumental in commissioning new works by well-known composers such as Bright Sheng, Zhu Jianer, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Yao Chen.
In 1996, Yang moved permanently to the United States, making his home in the Chicago area.
ABOUT MARA MCCLAIN
Mara McClain is a cellist in the Chicago area and a musician member of Chicago Philharmonic, performing regularly with the Lyric Opera Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, and the Grant Park Music Festival. McClain was previously a member of the Alabama Symphony, in Birmingham Alabama, from 2006-2018. She attended the Cleveland Institute of Music for her undergraduate studies with Richard Aaron. Prior to her appointment with the Alabama Symphony she joined the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, as principal cellist. After many years away, she is thrilled to be back in Chicago with her husband, who is also a cellist, teacher and the director of the Barston Suzuki Center at the Music Institute of Chicago.
