Ravinia 2026 Issue 1

Ravinia acknowledges support from the IllinoisArtsCouncil. OFFICIAL PARTNERS: Audi USA, Named Automotive Partner • Discover byCapital One, Official Card MidtownAthleticClubs, Official Club • TerlatoWines, Official Wine Sponsor LeadReachTeachPlaySponsor: @raviniafestival Connect With Us . , . July – July CREATINGPERSONALVISIONONVIOLIN DUEÑAS María THEVINTAGE TASTEOF SQUIRREL NUTZIPPERS PSALMIN’ PAULSIMON JAMES CONLON ONMOZART’S ENNOBLEMENT OFEQUALITY MARINALSOP BEGINSTHE 90 TH CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SUMMERRESIDENCY ONTHECOVER María Dueñas Photo: Xenie Zasetskaya Program notes start on page 69 4 Welcome from the President and the Chairman 8 Distilling Evolution María Dueñas adds dynamic nuance to Beethoven and beyond. By Kyle MacMillan 12 Psalmin’ Simon The gentle-genius singer-songwriter brings Seven Psalms and a decades- defining catalogue to the stage. By James Turano 18 Fresh Spark Marin Alsop breathes vital breeze across the CSO’s 90th Ravinia season. By Wynne Delacoma 22 Ennobled Virtues Mozart gives moral imperative a first name in The Abduction from the Seraglio . By James Conlon 26 No Prohibition Squirrel Nut Zippers’ Jimbo Mathus tops up vintage taste. By Donald Liebenson F E AT U R E S 16 Wellness with Music 17 Pico de Sandia By Casey Elsass 30 Meet the Artist: 2026 Poster 31 Crossword Puzzle By Aimee Lucido I N F O RM AT I O N 32 Steans Institute 34 Reach Teach Play 37 Salute to Sponsors 44 Setting the Stages 47 Ravinia Supporters 64 Ravinia Festival Association 88 Park Information and Park Map July 11 – July 19 Contents 18 26 12 RAVINIAMAGAZINE • JULY 11 – JULY 19 , 2026 2 PATRICKGIPSON/RAVINIA(ALSOP);RUTHIEHAUGE(ZIPPERS);JAKEEDWARDS(SIMON)