Music Institute of Chicago Presents Concerto Extravaganza 5/14

In a unique concert combining the talents of Music Institute of Chicago's "Concerto Divas," pianist Marta Aznavoorian, violinist Desirée Ruhstrat and cellist Wendy Warner perform the top three concertos of the 2010-11 season, as voted on by MIC audiences, Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Accompanying the soloists will be an MIC orchestra of students, faculty, and alumni, conducted by James Setapen.

The program includes:
· Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven, performed by Aznavoorian
· Concerto for Violin in E Minor by Felix Mendelssohn, performed by Ruhstrat
· Variations on a Rococo Theme by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by Warner

"The response from audiences at Nichols Concert Hall has been overwhelming," commented MIC President and CEO Dr. Mark George. "We have received more than a thousand ballots. The quality and charisma of our artist faculty have caught the imagination of the voters. With our amazing soloists and an orchestra of MIC faculty, students and alumni, this will be a truly spectacular concert."

About the musicians
Marta Aznavoorian is a member of MIC's piano faculty and was the top prize winner at the Aspen Music Festival Piano Competition. She has appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Aspen Concert Orchestra, San Angelo Symphony and San Diego Symphony. Desiree Ruhstrat is chair of MIC's Strings Department and has appeared as a soloist with orchestras throughout the world, including the Berlin Radio Symphony, Gottingen Symphony, Philharmonia Da Camera, Radio Suisse Romande, Orchestra Symphonica Auguescalientes, Colorado Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Concerto Soloists Of Philadelphia, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Debut Orchestra of Los Angeles and more. She and Aznavoorian also have performed chamber music nationally as members of the Lincoln Trio (with cellist David Cunliffe). MIC faculty member and cellist Wendy Warner is a part of the renowned duo WarnerNuzova. She has performed on prestigious stages including New York's Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall in Boston, Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, Paris' Salle Pleyel and Berlin's Philharmonie.

Tickets for Concerto Extravaganza on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at MIC's Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, available at musicinst.org or 847.905.1500 ext. 108.

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