Ravinia 2025 Issue 1

WELCOME R avinia is a special place for many reasons , but the com- munity we find here is among the most significant. Since 1904, Ravinia has welcomed generations of music lovers and makers to our beautiful park to stop, listen, and connect with something greater than ourselves. Experiencing live music here is nothing short of magical. One moment can lead to a lifelong, cherished memory. No matter our backgrounds or personal histories, tonight we come together to find a connection in the collective. As warm days grace us once more, we look for- ward with delight to over 100 live performances across every genre you can imagine, but perhaps most importantly how they are appreciated alongside people who share our joy. Summer 2025’s Ravinia Festival is packed with events as varied as the six-week residence of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Advisor Kurt Elling’s celebration of genre-fusion legends Weather Report; the return of show-stopping actor and singer Cynthia Erivo; a further panoply of collaborations between orchestra and icons of electronic pop (Lindsey Stirling), rap (Nas), and alternative (Beck) and progressive rock (King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard); pianist Lang Lang returning for an evening that reflects and shares the impact of film on his love of music; a day-long celebration of Mexican and pan-American rhythms headlined by La Original Banda El Limón and Grupo Cañaveral; and multiple nights of influential R&B and soul, including with The Roots, Al Green, and Earth, Wind & Fire. And this barely skims the surface. We welcome back Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop, opening the CSO’s 89th residency with three action-packed programs, from piano spotlights with Bruce Liu and Jean-Yves Thibaudet to theater highlights with Tony Award winners Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara. Some of the world’s brightest stars and ascending artists guest with the CSO this year, including violin prodigy Himari, cellists Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Zlatomir Fung, and pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, as well as Morgan Freeman hosting an evening of symphonic blues. Great traditions continue, from the Tchaikovsky Spectacular with a flourish of cannons to the Breaking Barriers Festival, where Alsop showcases connections between women leaders in musical and culinary arts in collaboration with Juilliard-trained percussionist and Food Network host Molly Yeh. Building on a jubilant tradition, our One Score, One Chicago® initiative extends the passion of our Reach Teach Play programs to bring our whole community of music lovers together around an iconic piece of classical music. The CSO’s performance of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony this summer culiminates months of these experiences, including more ways to engage with the piece around our park. At the Steans Institute, we warmly welcome bassist John Clayton as Co-Artistic Director of Jazz, joining pianist Billy Childs and saxophonist Steve Wilson. These internationally recognized artists—alongside violinist Midori and pianist Kevin Murphy, respectively the Artistic Directors of Piano & Strings and Singers—keep these fellowship programs on the leading edge of career-enhancing opportunities for young professional musicians. Immersive rehearsals with the world’s finest faculty-artists feed into the summer-long series of free and low-cost concerts featuring the fellows, includ- ing premieres of new works from the Bridges Competition and Jazz Program as well as themed performances from the classical Piano & Strings and Singers Programs. Every year we are thrilled to thank the individuals, corporations, and foundations whose support makes all that we do possible. From our education programs onsite and in local under-resourced schools, to the world-leading music we present, to the restaurants, guest experiences, and beautiful park we maintain, the resources pro- vided by our supporters—and our ticket buyers—are paramount. It is together, as a community, that we celebrate and enjoy the shared musical moments that underscore and lift up our lives. We hope you create new moments and new memories with us this summer. 418 Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 847-266-5000 ravinia.org Jeffrey P. Haydon President and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Fildes Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Nick Panfil Associate Creative Director, Writing & Publications PMGMA, Inc. 340 Anthony Trail, Northbrook, IL 60062 847-770-4620 pmgma.com Gail McGrath Publisher and President Sheldon Levin Publisher and Director of Finance Rand Brichta Sales Manager Jill Goldvarg ∙ Mike Hedge Account Managers For advertising information, call 847-770-4621 or email gmcgrath@pmgma.com PMGMA, Inc. is a Woman Owned Business Published by PMGMA, Inc. All contents are copyrighted 2025. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reproduced in any manner, whole or part, without written permission from the publisher. For advertising terms and conditions, visit pmgma.com MISSION STATEMENT OF THE RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION Our mission is to enrich lives through the transformative power of music. Ravinia honors our vibrant history of classical music while celebrating a multitude of musical genres. Through exceptional performances, educational programs, professional training, and community engagement, we strive to create memorable experiences that connect people, foster curiosity, and ensure that the joy of live music is accessible to all. RAVINIAMAGAZINE • JUNE 6 – JUNE 15, 2025 4