2009 Season
Stephen Hough
Tchaikovsky Opening Night 
Stephen Hough, the world-renowned British-born pianist, inaugurates the season with Tchaikovsky’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 1.
When |
Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 6:30pm – 7:45pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Stephen Hough, Piano |
What |
Key/Arr. Toscanini: Star Spangled Banner Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition |
Denis Sedov
Bernstein on the Waterfront
Bernstein’s celebration of urban waterfronts is paired with Shostakovich’s monumental hymn to Russian forests in a tour-de-force of music evoking nature.
When |
Friday, June 12, 2009, 5:30pm – 6:45pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, June 12, 2009, 10:00am – 12:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Christopher Bell, Chorus Director John Horton Murray, Tenor Denis Sedov, Bass Chicago Children's Choir |
What |
Kernis: Too Hot Toccata Bernstein: On the Waterfront: Symphonic Suite Shostakovich: Song of the Forests, op. 81 |
Modest Mussorgsky
Pictures at an Exhibition
The masterful musical tour of an art gallery by Mussorgsky will share the bill with Bernstein’s On the Waterfront.
When |
Saturday, June 13, 2009, 7:30pm – 9:00pm |
Where |
Harris Theater for Music and Dance |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra |
What |
Kernis: Too Hot Toccata |
James Ehnes
Enigma Variations
Walton’s Violin Concerto presented along with Elgar’s set of fourteen variations portraying various members of his circle of friends in a fascinating musical representation of human personalities.
When |
Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 6:30pm – 7:45pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm PlayBack: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 8:15pm – 8:45pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor James Ehnes, Violin |
What |
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves Walton: Violin Concerto Elgar : Enigma Variations, Op. 36 |
Burnham’s Plan and Rachmaninoff’s 3rd
Burnham’s Plan and Rachmaninoff’s 3rd
The world-premiere of Plans by acclaimed composer Michael Torke marks the opening of a city-wide Burnham Centennial celebration. Also on the program is Rachmaninoff’s passionate Piano Concerto No. 3.
When |
Friday, June 19, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:15pm Saturday, June 20, 2009, 7:30pm – 9:15pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 10:00am – 12:30pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, June 19, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm CoffeeTalk: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 6:15pm – 7:00pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Christopher Bell, Chorus Director Jon Kimura Parker, Piano Jonita Lattimore, Soprano Bryan Griffin, Tenor |
What |
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 Torke: Plans |
Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan
Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlàn
One of Mexico’s most acclaimed mariachi ensembles joins the Grant Park Orchestra for a festive night of serenading and celebration.
When |
Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán |
What |
Chavez: Chapultepec Guizar: Guadalajara Traditional: Cielito Lindo Huasteco, Selections from Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán Ponce: Gavota Revueltas: Janitzio Traditional: Popurri a Venezuela |
American Music from the 1930s
American Music from the 1930s
Journey back to the decade of the Grant Park Music Festival’s birth. This timely and revealing exploration of American music from the 1930s will be presented along with an historical overview by City of Chicago Cultural Historian, Tim Samuelson.
When |
Friday, June 26, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:15pm Saturday, June 27, 2009, 7:30pm – 9:15pm |
Where |
Harris Theater for Music and Dance |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor |
What |
Barber: Overture to School for Scandal Sowerby: Prairie Gershwin: Of Thee I Sing Carpenter: Sea Drift, Symphonic Poem Schuman: American Festival Overture |
The Grant Park Chorus
Exploring Music With Bill McGlaughlin: Made in America
Chorus Director Christopher Bell leads a tour of some of the most stirring American choral works from recent decades, including pieces by Barber, Copland, and Corigliano.
When |
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Thursday, July 2, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:00pm |
Where |
Harris Theater for Music and Dance |
Who |
Grant Park Chorus Christopher Bell, Chorus Director |
What |
Hovaness: A Rose Tree Blossoms Corigliano: L’invitation au Voyage Lauridsen: Nocturnes: Soneto De La Noche Copland: Four Motets Crabtree: Five Romantic Miniatures (from The Simpsons) Barber: Sure On This Shining Night Sametz: I Have Had Singing |
Concertgoers sprawl across the lawn in Grant Park, 1939.
Gala 75th Season Concert
Travel back in time to the year of the Grant Park Music Festival’s founding in 1935, with a program that recreates the very first Grant Park orchestral concert.
When |
Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 8:00pm – 9:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 10:00am |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor TBD Guest Narrator |
What |
Wagner: Tannhäuser: Arrival Of The Guests, At The Wartburg Thomas: Mignon: Overture Alfven: Midsommarvaka, Op.19 (Midsummer Vigil; Swedish Rhapsody No. 1) Glazunov: Ruses D’amour Ballet Suite: Introduction, Valse, Grand Pas Des Fiances Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 Powell: Natchez-On-The-Hill, Three Virginia Country, Dances German: Henry Viii: Three Dances: Morris Dance, Shepherd’s Dance, Torch Dance J. Strauss, Jr.: On The Beautiful Blue Danube Op. 314 Meacham: American Patrol March |
Lane Alexander
Independence Day in Millenium Park
Join us for a new Independence Day tradition as the Grant Park Orchestra presents the first-ever July 4th concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, featuring tap dancer Lane Alexander.
When |
Saturday, July 4, 2009, 1:30pm – 2:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, July 2, 2009, 10:00am – 12:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Christopher Bell, Conductor Lane Alexander, Tap Dancer |
What |
Francis Scott Key: Star Spangled Banner Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man Ron Nelson: Savannah River Holiday Katherine Gladney Wells: Minor Reflection Morton Gould: from Converto for Tap Dancer and Orchestra: Tocatta, Minuet, Rondo Ward/Arr. Dragon: America the Beautiful Steffe/Arr. Wilhousky: Battle Hymn of the Republic Tchaikovsky: Overture 1812 Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever |
Anton Bruckner
Bruckner's 4th
Bask in the sweeping romanticism of one of the 19th century’s most mesmerizing, large-scale symphonies, by the great Austrian composer.
When |
Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Hans Graf, Conductor |
What |
Mozart: Overture to The Magic Flute Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 (1878/80 version) |
Pirates of Penzance
Pirates of Penzance and the Mikado
Selection from two of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most adored comic operettas, with a witty dose of contemporary tongue-in-cheek commentary.
When |
Friday, July 10, 2009, 6:30pm – 9:00pm Saturday, July 11, 2009, 7:30pm – 10:00pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 10:00am – 12:30pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, July 10, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm CoffeeTalk: Saturday, July 11, 2009, 6:15pm – 7:00pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus Christopher Bell, Conductor Kathryn Kamp, Soprano Frances McCafferty, Mezzo Soprano Hoss Brock, Tenor Richard Suart, Baritone Andrew Schultze, Bass |
What |
Gilbert and Sullivan: Selections from Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado |
Mother Goose
Dances And Fairytales
Venture to the underworld, the fairy tales of Mother Goose and exotic realms in this program of pieces by Ravel, Offenbach, Franck, and Roussel.
When |
Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 6:30pm – 7:30pm Saturday, July 18, 2009, 7:30pm – 8:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Gilbert Varga, Conductor |
What |
Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld: Overture Franck: Le Chausser Maudit Ravel: Mother Goose Suite Roussel: Bacchus et Arianne Suite No. 2 |
Karen Gomyo
Khachaturian’s Spartacus
An evening featuring Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and culminating in the Suite from Spartacus, one of the 20th century’s most riveting ballet scores.
When |
Friday, July 17, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:15pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, July 16, 2009, 10:00am – 12:30pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, July 17, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Kirill Karabits, Conductor Karen Gomyo, Violinist |
What |
Silvestrov: Serenade of Parting Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1, Opus 99 Khachaturian: Suite from Spartacus |
Luna Negra
Luna Negra And Luciana Souza
A match made in heaven, as the Grant Park Orchestra is joined by Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza and Chicago’s own Luna Negra Dance Theater, presenting works inspired by Spanish and Latin flavors.
When |
Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:15pm Friday, July 24, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:15pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 11:00am – 12:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm TalkBack: Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 8:15pm – 8:45pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Tito Munoz, Conductor Luciana Souza, Vocalist Luna Negra Dance Theater Eduardo Vilaro, Founder And Artistic Director |
What |
Copland: Danzón Cubano Trad/Arr. Barilari: Tango Vitrola: La Cumparsita, El Lloron (Mionga), Pena Mulata, El Portenito Rodrigo/Arr. Goldstein after Davis: Concierto de Aranjuez Revueltas: Sensemayá Cugat/Arr. Morales: Cugat: Old Fashioned (Beguine), Besame Mucho, Mambo Gordo Souza: Duets Sierra: Fandangos Souza/ Arr. Goldstein: Bossa Nova: Sai Dessa, Trocando en Miudos, Corcovado, Chlorinho pra ele |
Nicole Cabell
Opera Hits on Venetian Night
Sensuous arias featuring Nicole Cabell and Russell Thomas, with fireworks over the lakefront and echoes of Venice will make this one of the most unforgettable nights of the summer.
When |
Saturday, July 25, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, July 24, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Saturday, July 25, 2009, 1:30pm – 4:00pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Juanjo Mena, Conductor Nicole Cabell, Soprano Russell Thomas, Tenor |
What |
Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1 Gounod: Jewel Song from Faust Gounod: Ah, lève-toi, soleil! from Romeo et Juliette Gounod: Va, je t'ais pardonne from Romeo et Juliette Act IV Rossini: Overture II baribiere di Siviglia Donizetti: Una furtiva lagrima from L'Elisir d'Amore Act II Rossini: Una voce poco fa from Barbiere di Siviglia Act I Donizetti: Una parola, O Adina from L'Elisir d'Amore Act I Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana Puccini: Che gelida manina from La Boheme, Mi chiamano Mimi from La Boheme, O soave fanciulla from La Boheme Encore Verdi: Brindisi Libiamo from La Traviata Act I |
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Pietari Inkinen
Sibelius Symphony No. 1
A program of Sibelius, Pärt, and Rautavaara will transport audiences to the twilight Baltic north, led by Pietari Inkinen, one of Finland’s most celebrated conductors.
When |
Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 6:30pm – 7:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 28, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 28, 2009, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm TalkBack: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 8:15pm – 8:45pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Pietari Inkinen, Conductor |
What |
Pärt: Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten Rautavaara: Manhattan Trilogy Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 |
Allyson McHardy
The Dream Of Gerontius
Experience one of the great, if seldom heard, English-language choral works, Elgar’s gripping voyage through life’s end and into the unknown.
When |
Friday, July 31, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Saturday, August 1, 2009, 7:30pm – 9:30pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, July 30, 2009, 10:00am – 12:30pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, July 31, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm CoffeeTalk: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 6:15pm – 7:00pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Christopher Bell, Chorus Director Allyson McHardy, Mezzo Soprano John Mac Master, Tenor Paul Whelan, Bass |
What |
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius |
Ingrid Fliter
Mendelssohn & Haydn
Ingrid Fliter, 2006 Gilmore Artist Award-winning pianist, returns to perform Schuman’s Piano Concerto in A Minor.
When |
Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 6:30pm – 7:45pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm TalkBack: Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 8:15pm – 8:45pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Ingrid Fliter, Piano |
What |
Mendelssohn: Overture to Ruy Blas, Op. 95 Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54 Haydn: Symphony No. 103, E-flat major |
Gustav Mahler
Mahler’s 9th
Maestro Carlos Kalmar and the Grant Park Orchestra present their interpretation of one of the summits of the symphonic form, Mahler’s shattering, final completed symphony.
When |
Friday, August 7, 2009, 6:30pm – 8:00pm Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:30pm – 9:00pm CoffeeTalk: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 6:15pm – 7:00pm |
Where |
Harris Theater for Music and Dance |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor |
What |
Mahler: Symphony No. 9 |
Italian Variations
Italian Variations
Three very different composers offer unique visions of Italy: Richard Strauss’ Aus Italien, a Rossini-inspired piece by Benjamin Britten, and a work by Italian modernist Luciano Berio
When |
Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 6:30pm – 7:45pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 3:00pm – 5:30pm Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, Conductor |
What |
Britten: Matinées musicales, Opus 24 (after Rossini) Berio: Ritirata notturna di Madrid (after Boccherini) Strauss: Aus Italien, Opus 16 |
Jason Grant
Beethoven’s 9th
The season ends with Beethoven’s monumental, career-capping masterpiece, with its transformative ‘Ode to Joy’ choral ending.
When |
Friday, August 14, 2009, 6:30pm – 7:45pm Saturday, August 15, 2009, 7:30pm – 8:45pm Open Rehearsal: Thursday, August 13, 2009, 10:00am – 12:30pm Open Rehearsal: Friday, August 14, 2009, 11:00am – 1:30pm |
Where |
Jay Pritzker Pavilion |
Who |
Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus Carlos Kalmar, Conductor Amber Wagner, Soprano Kathryn Leemhuis, Mezzo Soprano John McVeigh, Tenor Jason Grant, Bass |
What |
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, op. 125 |
