Ravinia 2026 Issue 1

introduce audiences to the CSO’s new summer home at Ravinia. Now named the Hunter Pavilion, honoring Maxine and Thomas B. Hunter III, Ravinia’s familiar open-air amphitheater has been thoroughly updated and redesigned. Everything from its ventilation systems and artists’ dressing rooms to its onstage capabilities and the look of the stage has been rethought. The architectural design replaces the stage’s spare modernism with softer-edged wood and design motifs inspired by the Arts and Crafts style also seen in the Martin Theatre and Tyler Gate. Alsop has put together a sparkling program for the opener. Lizzo, the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, rapper, and classically trained flutist, will join the CSO for a star turn. Alsop first hatched the plan to feature Lizzo with esteemed flutist Sir James Galway. “I haven’t worked with Lizzo before,” said Alsop during an interview in early May. “I had, of course, worked with Jimmy many, many times, and originally he and Lizzo were interested in doing something [together with the CSO]. He wasn’t feeling well, but she stayed in, which was nice.” In addition to an or- chestration of one of her songs, “If You Love Me” from the 2022 album Special , Lizzo is set to feature on two classical pieces: Galway’s edition of 19th-century Italian flutist-composer Giulio Briccial- di’s Carnival of Venice and the popular “Flower Duet” from the opera Lakmé , where she will be joined by an alumna of Sistema Ravinia, one of the Reach Teach Play® programs supported by the gala. [ See page 34. ] Lizzo studied flute from elementary school through her college years at the University of Houston. She doesn’t hide her classical chops from her young fans. [Indeed, several flutists in the Sistema Ravinia orchestras cite Lizzo as sparking their interest in joining the program.] “Anyone who can promote an interest in classical music to younger genera- tions,” said Alsop, “they’re definitely high on my list.” Furthering the youth movement, Alsop has invited the acclaimed young South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim back to Ravinia for the July 11 opener as soloist in Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concer- to in G major. Lim stunned audiences at his Ravinia debut in 2023 with Alsop and the CSO in Rachmaninoff ’s Third Piano Concerto. Alsop met Lim during the Van Cliburn International Piano Competi- tion—the leading American competi- tion for pianists, held every four years in Fort Worth, TX, since 1962—where for the past two editions she has conduct- ed the final round, which features the competitors in orchestral works with the Fort Worth Symphony. In 2022, at age 18, Lim became the youngest pianist to win the prestigious competition’s gold medal. He has since become one of classical music’s most exciting stars. “Yunchan wasn’t on anyone’s radar,” said Alsop. “He really came out of nowhere and wowed everyone through- out the competition. Some of what he played was almost superhuman. His technical level and prowess are incredible. “But for me, he’s just a beautiful poet. And to be that kind of artistic poet at such a young age, it’s really hard to wrap RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 19