Ravinia Festival News

Ravinia Music Director James Conlon leads a program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and piano virtuoso Jean Yves Thibaudet at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, in all-French repertoire including Debussy's Two Nocturnes and La mer; and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major and Piano Concerto in D Major for the Left Hand. Thibaudet, who has appeared as a soloist with the world's greatest orchestras, was recently inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. The concert also features a ticket and dining package for a special price of $75.

Jon Kimura Parker and Vladimir Feltsman will step in for Denis Matsuev, who has cancelled his July 29 and July 30 Ravinia performances due to illness. Parker will perform a Martin Theatre recital at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 30, in a program featuring Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 3; his own arrangement of music from Stravinsky's Petrushka; Rachmaninoff' Prelude in G Minor; and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

Westchester native John Michael Coppola returns to his home for a one night only concert. His music includes Sinatra to Springsteen - and everyone in between.

The work will be performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the women of the Chicago Symphony Chorus at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, under the baton of John Axelrod, on a program that also includes Gabriela Monteroperforming Grieg's Piano Concerto and improvisations based on suggestions from the audience.

At 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, Ravinia Music Director James Conlon leads an all-Tchaikovsky program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and piano virtuoso Denis Matsuev. Violin virtuoso Joshua Bell returns to perform with the CSO at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25. The program will include the Overture to Barber's The School for Scandal, Op. 5, and Violin Concerto Op. 14; Shostakovich's Symphony No. 9 in E-flat Major, Op. 70; and Ravel's Tzigane Concert Rhapsody. Bell, who debuted with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of 14, is a Grammy Award-winner and a Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame inductee. Soloists from the CSO appear in an intimate Martin Theatre concert at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 23, led by Conlon and featuring soprano Rachel Schutz in her Ravinia debut.

At 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, Ravinia Music Director James Conlon leads an all-Tchaikovsky program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and piano virtuoso Denis Matsuev. Violin virtuoso Joshua Bell returns to perform with the CSO at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25. The program will include the Overture to Barber's The School for Scandal, Op. 5, and Violin Concerto Op. 14; Shostakovich's Symphony No. 9 in E-flat Major, Op. 70; and Ravel's Tzigane Concert Rhapsody. Bell, who debuted with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of 14, is a Grammy Award-winner and a Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame inductee. Soloists from the CSO appear in an intimate Martin Theatre concert at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 23, led by Conlon and featuring soprano Rachel Schutz in her Ravinia debut.

Westchester native John Michael Coppola returns to his home for a one night only concert. His music includes Sinatra to Springsteen - and everyone in between.

Tonight, July 19, one of the highlights of James Conlon's 2012 season at Ravinia will be the American premiere of Kurt Weill's first completed stage work, Magical Night. The pantomime will be staged by T. Daniel Productions (TDP) and is based on a scenario by Russian writer Wladimir Boritsch.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Patti LuPone, composer tributes, new musicals in Chicago and New York, 'Beauty And The Beast' and 'The Jungle Book,' yet another 'Reefer Madness' and more....

League of American Orchestras Chair Lowell J. Noteboom has announced the appointment of Burton Alter, Angelo Fatta, Jim Hasler, John Hayes, James Mabie, and Robert Peiser to the League's Board of Directors. The six new board members, who will each serve three-year terms, were elected by the League board during its annual meeting in June.

4TH WALL THEATRE will host an end of season fundraiser entitled 'A JERSEY VOICE: Sinatra to Springsteen...and Everyone in Between" featuring John Michael Coppola, a former Bloomfield resident. The concert will be held tonight, July 16 at 7:30 pm, at the Westminster Arts Center on the campus of Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, NJ. The concert is the final fundraising event of 4th Wall's 15th anniversary season.

On July 19, one of the highlights of James Conlon's 2012 season at Ravinia will be the American premiere of Kurt Weill's first completed stage work, MAGICAL NIGHT. The pantomime will be staged by T. Daniel Productions (TDP) and is based on a scenario by Russian writer Wladimir Boritsch. Soprano Janai Brugger will perform in her Ravinia debut. Schreker's THE WIND will also be performed on this concert.

Ravinia's 2012 Gala Benefit Evening, entitled "Leading Ladies" and featuring celebrated stars Patti LuPone and Patricia Racette, honors the 50th anniversary of the festival's Women's Board at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 21.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Divas on parade: Menzel, Cook, Hudson, Luker and Mazzie, plus the new year's offerings from Broadway In Chicago and local productions of 'Fame,' 'Little Shop' and more!....

According to an interview with the Windy City Times, Idina Menzel is considering 'a couple' of new Broadway projects.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the Top Ten Hot Topix for the first half of 2012! Is your favorite production on the list?