The iconic lawn at Ravinia, where guests can once again gather to enjoy performances throughout the festival season.
North America’s oldest music festival, Ravinia Festival, is back after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Taking place between July 1 and Sept. 26, this year’s celebrations mark the 85th anniversary of the event located in Ravinia Park—and new President and CEO Jeffrey P. Hayden has the musical performances to match. Expect renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson to open the festival for “Celebrating Chicago Weekend,” followed by a 90-minute performance by Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute (RSMI) faculty July 2. Throughout the rest of the festival dates, the likes of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra Sextet, Lincoln Trio, violinist Miriam Fried and more will perform. Continuing tradition, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will also perform 15 programs during the festival, led by new Ravinia Festival chief conductor and curator Marin Alsop as well as seven guest conductors. “In my programs with the marvelous Chicago Symphony Orchestra, I have combined masterpieces everyone knows and loves with music by a diverse range of composers and soloists,” Alsop says. “The opportunity to bring this great talent to [audiences] is a joy and privilege.” Keeping safety protocols in mind, attendees can expect a reduced capacity for audiences, as well as distanced seating in the Pavilion; reservation requirements for the South Lawn; and first-come, first-served seating on the North Lawn. ravinia.org
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Tickets will be available in two phases:
Concerts taking place between July 1 and Aug. 15: tickets available June 16
Concerts taking place after Aug. 15: tickets available July 21
See ravinia.org for complete schedule.
July 1: Garrick Ohlsson performs solo piano works by Brahms
July 2: Chamber music showcase featuring RSMI faculty
July 7-15: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by Marin Alsop
July 8: Vladimir Feltsman performs solo piano music by Beethoven and Schubert
July 18: The Ravinia Women’s Board’s annual Gala Benefit Evening
July 20: Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro tell stories through song in Och & Oy! A Considered Cabaret
July 28: Zukerman Trio
Aug. 5: Mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung performs poetry and song with pianist Kevin Murphy and reader J. Nicole Brooks
Aug. 10: Judy Collins and Madeleine Peyroux
Aug. 21, 22: The Beach Boys
Aug. 27, 28: Train
Aug. 31: Bass-baritone Davóne Tines with pianist Adam Nielsen
Sept. 7: Pianist Lara Downes, violinist Rachel Barton Pine and cellist Ifetayo Ali-Landing perform Rising Sun: Migration and Renaissance
Sept. 9: Nexus Chamber Music with soprano Kristina Bachrach and composer Augusta Read Thomas
Sept. 14: Miró Quartet
Sept. 19: Ziggy Marley performs A Celebration of Bob Marley
Sept. 21: Lincoln Trio
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF RAVINIA FESTIVAL
