Chicago Philharmonic Features Its Own Fabulous Musicians As Soloists

This April, Chicago Philharmonic celebrate the heroes and heroines of classical music with a jaw-dropping program of sweeping Russian masterpieces, Defying Destiny. Headlining the program is Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's fantastical Scheherazade, chronicling the plight of a brave young sultana as she spins tales to save her own life for 1001 nights. Made famous by the collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, Arabian Nights, Scheherazade uses her powers of wit and captivating storytelling to overcome a violent sultan. Concertmaster David Perry also weaves his own dazzling violin solos throughout the piece.

Alongside Scheherazade is Pyotr Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture, beautifully telling the story of history's most famous star-crossed lovers with magnificent highs (including the iconic, oft-parodied "love" melody) and a heartbreaking finale. Also, Robert Everson, a "most outstanding performer" (Chicago Tribune) and Chicago Philharmonic principal timpanist, joins the orchestra to perform a boundary-breaking Raise the Roof concerto for timpani and orchestra from Grammy-Award winning living composer Michael Daugherty.

Defying Destiny
April 7 2019, 3:00pm
Pick-Staiger Hall, Evanston

Scott Speck Conductor
Robert Everson Timpani

Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture
Daugherty Raise the Roof

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Lead Performer in a Musical - Top 3

1. LJ Benet - The Lost Boys, A New Musical

24.2% of votes

2. Joshua Henry - Ragtime

14% of votes

3. Sam Tutty - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

11.8% of votes

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