Sphinx Virtuosi, Ballet Preljocaj and More Highlight Harris Theater's 10th Season

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance announced today the exciting performances that will celebrate its first decade. The Theater's inaugural performance was held on November 8, 2003. Today, nearly 10 years later, the Harris will reflect on its past, present, and future with the 2013-2014 Harris Theater Presents series. The season is comprised of important premieres and debuts, along with returning favorites. The Theater's more than 35 diverse resident companies will also shine in the spotlight with a dazzling array of performances throughout the entire season.

"This first decade of the Harris is a milestone in many significant ways," said Michael Tiknis, President and Managing Director of the Harris Theater. "It measures the growth and development of the Harris' resident companies through their performances at the Theater. It celebrates the nurturing of new works and a strong commitment to artistic collaboration and diversity that make the Harris truly unique in the United States. Since the beginning, the Harris Theater is, has been, and remains more than just a place - it's an idea, ever-changing and ever-renewing itself within the creative process."

Collaborate, Innovate, and Celebrate are the ideas represented in the 10th season. The Harris was built on these core principles and they are interwoven throughout the year's performances. The centerpiece of the season is 10 designated performances, which illustrate the Theater's continuing commitment to its unique mission. 10 for the 10th is packed with collaborative new works, diverse programming, and critically-acclaimed artists and ensembles befitting the season.

The season opens in October 2013 with gifted African American and Latino string musicians the Sphinx Virtuosi, in their fifth visit to Harris Theater with special guest, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. It continues with the esteemed Les Violons du Roy in its third Harris Theater visit featuring mezzo-sopranoStephanie Blythe with conductor Bernard Labadie; Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas and his New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy, in a multi-media concert showcasing a Harris-commissioned video work by Netia Jones with soloists from Chicago Opera Theater, together with the most gifted young student musicians from Music Institute of Chicago; and Portuguese Fado phenomenon Mariza returns for the first time since making her Harris Theater debut in 2007. In December, the complete Bach Brandenburg Concertos will be performed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center to ring in the holidays. The new year brings the Chicago premiere of Savion Glover's newest work, STePz and Alonzo King LINES Ballet returns with two pieces never before seen in Chicago, including a new work showcasing double bassist and composer Edgar Meyer. The next performance is the Chicago premiere of Wendy Whelan's Restless Creature featuring choreographers Kyle Abraham, Joshua Beamish, Brian Brooks, and Alejandro Cerrudo. Two dance engagements round out 10 for the 10th: a Harris commission of a new work by Trey McIntyre Project featuring a collaboration with musicians from Music Institute of Chicago; and, following visits to New York's Lincoln Center and the LA Music Center, French contemporary Dance Company Ballet Preljocaj will make its Chicago debut with Blanche Neige (Snow White).

The 2013-2014 season includes four additional music performances that further enhance the programming of the 10 for the 10th: the Cuatro Festival featuring the Puerto Rican Philharmonic Orchestra, presented in collaboration with the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance; conductor and violinist Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica, a chamber ensemble of the most talented musicians from the Baltic region; and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's French Revelations program of innovative 20th century music by French composers including Ravel and Debussy, and a special performance by Co-Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han of Beethoven's Cello Sonatas.

Completing the 2013-2014 season is the popular Family Series, featuring three engaging shows specially created for children ages 4 to 9 and their families.Family Series performances are approximately one hour in length and take place on Saturday afternoons.

New to the 2013-2014 season is the Harris Flex Pass option, which gives patrons the flexibility to choose their own package of any 3 or 5 performances. Additionally, Harris Flex Pass buyers receive access to the best seats and best prices before single tickets go on sale. These packages are available now and can be purchased by phone at 312-334-7777 or in person at the Harris Theater Box Office at 205 E. Randolph Drive in Chicago. Single tickets will go on sale in August 2013. More information on the 10th season can be found at HarrisTheaterChicago.org. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and all Family Series performances begin at 2 p.m.

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