Fisch takes over Muti program, Wagnerian warts and all

October 9, 2010

Asher Fisch is a musician who honors his colleagues' commitments. Good for him.

Muti hospitalized, undergoing tests in Milan

October 8, 2010

CSO music director Riccardo Muti is undergoing a series of tests in a Milan hospital to determine the exact nature of the "extreme gastric distress" that forced the 69-year-old conductor to withdraw from the remainder of his fall residency in Chicago, an orchestra spokeswoman said Thursday.

Bates, Clyne get CSO's MusicNOW season off to an electric start

October 6, 2010

Riccardo Muti may have taken flight, but his chosen Chicago Symphony composers in residence, Mason Bates and Anna Clyne, are very much in town for the duration. Indeed, they appear to have settled into their new posts just fine, to judge from the season's first MusicNOW concert Monday evening at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, which they programmed and hosted.

Muti cancellation a wake-up call for CSO

October 4, 2010

Whenever a high-profile music director of a major institution withdraws from his commitments to that institution, such as Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti did over the weekend, the cancellation can have far-reaching effects and implications for the institution.

Illness forces Muti out of fall CSO concerts

October 3, 2010

Not only did illness force Riccardo Muti to withdraw from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Symphony Ball concert Saturday night at Orchestra Hall, it will force the CSO music director to cancel the remainder of his fall residency weeks with the orchestra.

No holds Bard

October 3, 2010

Forget the kilts, plaids and tartans. Forget the painted-canvas castle walls. Forget all the quaint storybook clutter with which Verdi's "Macbeth" is usually saddled.

Muti's lyrical touch warms CSO program of Haydn and Mozart symphonies

October 1, 2010

Riccardo Muti is wasting no time making good on his pledge to bring classical music to as diverse a cross-section of Chicago area residents as possible. Having played Mozart for inmates of a juvenile prison in Warrenville three days earlier, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's music director was back performing Mozart – and Haydn too – Thursday night at Orchestra Hall, this time to a choir of already-converted subscribers.

Ravinia announces CSO 2011 lineup

September 30, 2010

Feeling the heat from Millennium Park, and faced with criticism that pop music is pushing classical music to the margins of its summer programming, the Ravinia Festival is putting its marketing muscle behind its enduring star attraction, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Critic's Eye your chance be on the inside of the classical music scene in Chicago

September 29, 2010

Have a question about classical music, or how Riccardo Muti has performed since arriving in Chicago to lead the CSO? Now here's your chance to ask me in person.

Chorus director Gray fills in capably for Glover at MOB's season opener

September 27, 2010

It's not like Jane Glover to miss a season opener, particularly when the music is dear to her and the event marks a major anniversary. But it was perfectly understandable that the music director of Music of the Baroque would bow out of the first concert of the organization's 40th anniversary season Sunday evening at First United Methodist Church in Evanston.

Gaines takes the plunge into opera

September 25, 2010

Onstage at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago director Barbara Gaines is about to rehearse an intimate scene between Thomas Hampson and Nadja Michael, as the power-hungry Macbeth and the bloody-minded Lady Macbeth. The atmosphere is genial, even jovial, in stark contrast to the grim world of ambition, murder, guilt and madness that is Verdi's "Macbeth."

Thunderous ovations greet CSO season opener under music director Riccardo Muti

September 24, 2010

If a major part of Riccardo Muti's agenda for his Chicago Symphony Orchestra is to treat his audiences to rarities previous music directors have neglected, then bring 'em on, say I.

Riccardo Muti unveils a Berlioz rarity to launch CSO subscription season

September 21, 2010

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is calling music director Riccardo Muti's inaugural residency "Festa Muti." Festival indeed: His four fall weeks of subscription concerts, beginning Thursday night at Symphony Center, are a foretaste of the repertory breadth he will be bringing to Chicago.

Muti knocks debut out of park

September 19, 2010

The official launch of the Riccardo Muti era at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra called for a lot more than a nice little concert in the park.

CSO enters brave new era with Riccardo Muti

September 17, 2010

Chicago likes its music directors gifted, famous, charismatic, larger than life. We appreciate if these podium wizards bring with them impeccable credentials and fancy European pedigrees. And we admire them all the more when they insist they are one of us.

Even before giving the downbeat, Muti rules

September 17, 2010

Muti-mania is, it would seem, everywhere.

Milestones in Riccardo Muti's life and career

September 17, 2010

July 28, 1941 Muti is born in Naples, Italy. His first piano and violin lessons come from his father, a physician and able tenor who encourages all six of his sons to study music.

What does a music director do?

September 17, 2010

Scout

A diverse first season

September 17, 2010

The widespread image of Riccardo Muti as an "Italian specialist" dies hard, but a glance at the programs for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director's 10 subscription weeks should lay that stereotype to rest for good.

Storming the Verdi heavens — with Muti, CSO

September 17, 2010

Verdi: Requiem. Soloists, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Riccardo Muti, conductor (CSO Resound, two CDs)

… and another thing or two or 10 about Muti

September 17, 2010

Civic Orchestra a crash course in what being an orchestra professional is all about

September 14, 2010

When the Civic Orchestra of Chicago kicks off its 92nd season Monday evening at Orchestra Hall, it will signal the start of another busy year of performances and outreach activities. Once again audiences will be reminded why this group of talented young pre-professional instrumentalists – the only training orchestra to be affiliated with a major American orchestra – stands apart from every other youth orchestra in the area and, indeed, the nation.

Bright voices fill big shoes at Lyric season preview

September 13, 2010

The sudden cancellations of singers can give opera company directors apoplexy, but sometimes they provide audiences with unexpected bounty. Such was the case Saturday night at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, where Lyric Opera of Chicago presented its 10th annual outdoor concert in downtown Chicago.

Fall music preview: Classical

September 10, 2010

Big deals

Harris Theater changes Mark Morris program

September 8, 2010

A dispute between the Chicago Federation of Musicians and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance over the theater's proposal to engage non-union musicians for performances by the Mark Morris Dance Group has been resolved. But neither side can claim victory.

Muti, Mahler top list of new fall releases

September 8, 2010

Fall is traditionally the time for the classical record labels to roll out their most tempting and/or important wares with an eye toward the holiday shopping season. Here is a preview — organized by label and date of release — of some of the musical bounty promised for the months ahead (all release dates subject to change):

Top 10 classical shows this fall: From Verdi to Boulez

September 5, 2010

It's not every Chicago music producer that has a Riccardo Muti to drive ticket sales this season. But any number of other area organizations besides the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are reminding us that a healthy classical musical life depends as much on their contributions as those of the rich and famous. Here are 10 significant signs that classical music is in good shape and caring hands:

Fall classical music preview: A deep dive into Soviet era

September 5, 2010

During her four years as executive director of the University of Chicago Presents concert series, Shauna Quill has made it her business to think boldly. Her boldest vision to date is about to become reality.

Brilliant violin-piano duo proves fine art of collaboration isn't dead

August 27, 2010

Classical music doesn't stop at Ravinia simply because the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has vacated the premises. A new series of early-evening recitals in Bennett-Gordon Hall has been filling the breach with interesting solo artists as the summer festival heads into its final weeks.

An avenging daughter and a femme (very) fatale take center stage at the Salzburg Festival

August 24, 2010

SALZBURG, Austria – In opera and oratorio at this year's Salzburg Festival, the spotlight was on women who come to bad ends. I mean, really bad ends.

Ma's Silk Road group treats Ravinia throng to a multicultural jam session

August 22, 2010

The Silk Road Project began a dozen years ago as a way to study the global circulation of indigenous musical impulses and traditions. Over time it evolved into an enormously popular caravan of cross-cultural performance and education, an extended celebration of transnational voices belonging to one world.

Muti rules in Salzburg

August 22, 2010

SALZBURG, Austria — The countdown continues for Riccardo Muti's long-awaited arrival in Chicago. Yes, it's finally happening.

Nostalgia flows freely as beloved diva charms fans at Ravinia. But don't call it a farewell.

August 20, 2010

Kiri Te Kanawa is not about to go gentle into the good night of retirement.

Area orchestras forging ahead in 2010-11 despite shaky economy

August 10, 2010

The sputtering economy does not appear to have seriously dampened the artistic plans of Chicago-area classical music organizations. If anything, city and suburban symphony orchestras are adopting a full-speed-ahead stance, as their programs for the upcoming season suggest.

Chamber group slates 'Sounds and Spaces' events

August 9, 2010

The Chicago Chamber Musicians will present two concerts for its third season of "Sounds and Spaces" events at historic homes in the metropolitan area. The series is given in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and other local organizations committed to historic preservation.

Ryan Opera sounds off at other Grant Park festival

August 9, 2010

The Grant Park Music Festival over the weekend at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance answered the mighty roar of Lollapalooza just across the way with a songfest of its own. Call it Lyric-palooza.

Some fine singing, but Ravinia's 'Figaro' no match for previous Mozart opera

August 8, 2010

"Figaros" are almost as plentiful in Chicago as the alibis of the city's politicians. Or so it has seemed in recent months.

Raninia launches Mozart opera fest with a splendid 'Cosi Fan Tutte'

August 6, 2010

Mozart lovers might well believe they have died and gone to operatic heaven this weekend at Ravinia, where James Conlon is leading concert performances of two of the three Mozart masterpieces based on Lorenzo da Ponte librettos, "Cosi Fan Tutte" and "The Marriage of Figaro."

Raninia launches Mozart opera fest with a splendid 'Cosi Fan Tutte'

August 6, 2010

Mozart lovers might well believe they have died and gone to operatic heaven this weekend at Ravinia, where James Conlon is leading concert performances of two of the three Mozart masterpieces based on Lorenzo da Ponte librettos, "Cosi Fan Tutte" and "The Marriage of Figaro."

Nation's most diverse orchestra hires new conductor in synch with its mission

August 4, 2010

Another crack has opened in the glass ceiling of symphony orchestras in Chicago.

Lively new music scene gets livelier with arrival of CSO's young resident composers

August 3, 2010

Hopes are running high following Riccardo Muti's appointment of Mason Bates and Anna Clyne, two of the freshest and most compelling voices of their generation, as the new composers in residence at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Lintu brings bracing energy

July 30, 2010

Once upon a time it was Germany that produced the most talented conductors. Now, it is Finland. Wednesday night's Grant Park Music Festival concert brought the return of Hannu Lintu, a dynamic Finnish conductor who's making a name for himself around the world, and for good reason.

Conductor Lintu brings bracing energy to Grant Park program

July 29, 2010

Once upon a time it was Germany that produced the most talented conductors. Now, it is Finland. Wednesday night's Grant Park Music Festival concert brought the return of Hannu Lintu, a dynamic Finnish conductor who's making a name for himself around the world, and for good reason. The 42-year-old maestro is immensely assured on the podium and he knows how to put his mark on an orchestra, even on limited rehearsal, as was the case here.

Mozart music is alive and well in Woodstock

July 29, 2010

Who needs to travel all the way to Salzburg to hear the music of Wolfgang Amadeus when you can catch quality Mozart right on Chicago's doorstep?

James Conlon unearths worthy works from the rubble of Nazi Germany

July 28, 2010

Give James Conlon credit for paying attention to significant forgotten voices of 20th century European music, composers silenced by the Nazi regime or dislocated by the Second World War, who later were summarily consigned to the dustbin of history.

Nally steps down from Lyric chorus post

July 27, 2010

Donald Nally, chorus master of Lyric Opera of Chicago since 2007, will leave the company following the 2010-11 season to concentrate on non-operatic choral conducting and new music.

Fleming steals show at Ravinia birthday bash

July 26, 2010

The onset of tendonitis in his right shoulder on the eve of his weekend appearances at Ravinia put a damper on the festival's celebration of Christoph Eschenbach's 70th birthday. Fortunately, the condition sidelined him only from the piano bench. The German conductor took the podium as scheduled for concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Saturday and Sunday.

Matthias Goerne's Ravinia recital a feast for lieder lovers

July 23, 2010

Recitals such as the wonderful program of German lieder sung by Matthias Goerne on Thursday night in Ravinia's Martin Theatre are among the few instances when Ravinia drops its commercial persona long enough to impersonate a serious European music festival. Would that it would do so more often.

Spirited revival of 'Arizona Lady' packs tunes as well as six-guns

July 21, 2010

Welcome to the Sunshine Ranch, where the cowpokes are cowpokes, the women are headstrong and horse thieves get thrown in the hoosegow before the all-singing, all-dancing ensemble gathers to reprise the big musical number.

Beethoven concertos done proud by Osorio at Ravinia

July 16, 2010

Complete cycles of the Beethoven piano concertos have been as regular as rumbling Metra trains at Ravinia at least since the late 1970s. The latest pianist to venture the five concertos here is the accomplished Mexican-born musician Jorge Federico Osorio, who presented them in back-to-back concerts this week, with James Conlon conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The kickoff on Thursday night continued Ravinia's celebration of the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence.

Conlon and CSO honor three icons of American music at Ravinia

July 14, 2010

This summer Ravinia is celebrating the anniversaries of three musical giants who almost singlehandedly defined American music for much of the previous century – Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein (who died 20 years ago) and Samuel Barber (born 100 years ago).

A woman conductor on the Grant Park podium? Yes, and a most talented one

July 11, 2010

Professional opportunities for women conductors have increased dramatically over the last few decades, although barriers remain: Don't hold your breath for a female musician to take over any leading American orchestra anytime soon. Still, success stories such as that of Xian Zhang are encouraging. The gifted Chinese-American conductor made an impressive debut with the Grant Park Orchestra Friday night at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

William Mason to exit as head of Lyric Opera in 2012

July 7, 2010

Part of being a good chief executive is knowing when to retire gracefully, and William Mason always did have impeccable timing.

Back to nature with Haitink, CSO

June 12, 2010

Much as Bernard Haitink loves Chicago, you didn't catch him wearing a Blackhawks jersey while leading the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the Stanley Cup-winning team's goal chant song, "Chelsea Dagger," at his concert Thursday night at Orchestra Hall. Not his style. After all, another triumphant local team was being celebrated on this occasion, along with another victorious hero: a guy named Beethoven.

Pinnock transfers his mastery of Classical style to a chamber-sized CSO

May 1, 2010

Trevor Pinnock is the latest early music specialist the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has engaged to take charge of one of its periodic sorties into the chamber orchestra repertory. The British conductor and harpsichordist, who was making his CSO debut Thursday night at Orchestra Hall, managed the leap more adroitly than some of his colleagues from the historical brigade.