Grant Park Music Festival 2018: Book 6

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the 84th season of the Grant Park

Music Festival, Chicago’s summer home for

outstanding music experiences that can’t be

found anywhere else. Whether tonight marks

your first concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or

you’re a longtime Festival enthusiast, we hope

you’ll join us often throughout the season to hear old favorites and

discover new ones.

As always, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar and

Chorus Director Christopher Bell have programmed an exciting and

eclectic season that includes popular masterworks; rarely performed

gems; and world, regional, and Festival premieres. We’re highlighting

the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus in such beloved repertoire as Carl

Orff’s

Carmina Burana

; symphonies by Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn,

Schumann, Schubert, Sibelius, and Vaughan Williams; and William

Walton’s choral tour de force,

Belshazzar’s Feast

. And we tip our hats to

William Bolcom on the occasion of his 80th birthday, hosting a weeklong

residency with the composer that culminates in the Festival debuts of

two of his works, conducted by special guest Dennis Russell Davies.

The Festival is also partnering with the Department of Cultural Affairs

and Special Events to celebrate Mayor Emanuel’s 2018 “Year of Creative

Youth.” We’ll be introducing you to a host of rising artists—including

16-year-old pianist Emily Bear, 22-year-old pianist George Li, and

25-year-old cellist Pablo Ferrández—who represent the next generation

of classical music talent.

For 10 weeks each summer, the Festival fills our city with music. From

docent-led lunchtime rehearsals to pre-concert lectures, from our

Classical Campers

program to performances in neighborhood parks, the

Festival produces more than 200 events in every corner of Chicago—all

open to everyone. Our thanks to the Chicago Park District, Department

of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and to our donors and members

for helping us keep the Festival free and accessible for all.

Enjoy tonight’s concert and come back soon!

Warm regards,

Paul Winberg

President and CEO

WELCOME

2 0 1 8 G R AN T PA R K MU S I C F E S T I VA L