Request a 2008-2009
Season Brochure

Official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet: enhancing the visual beauty of the Joffrey’s legendary choreography and performers with the warmth and power of live orchestral music.
joffrey.com

 

“With outstanding performances by remarkable musicians of every background…  this was surely one of the finest concerts of the year by any ensemble in Chicago.”
– Chicago Sun-Times

 

Subscription Series:

Passion and Grace

Sunday, September 21, 2008, 6:00 pm (note time) – Dominican University
Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 7:30 pm (note day) – Symphony Center

The passion evoked by the sensuous Latin American rhythm of the tango finds its ancient echo in medieval poetry when two twentieth century composers are explored in this unique pairing.  Raul Jaurena, master of the Argentine bandoneon, joins us on the music of Astor Piazzolla. Then, we’ll perform Carl Orff’s dramatic “secular cantata” with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago featuring soloists Elizabeth Norman, Thomas Dymit, and Levi Hernandez.

Shostakovich: Gadfly Overture
Piazzolla: Milonga del Angel
Piazzolla: Adios Nonino
Orff: Carmina Burana

Think Big!

Monday, November 10, 2008, 7:30 pm – Symphony Center

We team up with the Chicago Humanities Festival to Think Big. What are the classical works that changed the rules and affected everything that came after? Help us decide by voting right here in our internet poll. We’ll select two to perform, rounding out the program with other “big” pieces. Harpist and orchestra member Faye Seeman and members of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras will join us on this unprecedented event.

Ravel: Introduction and Allegro for Harp and Orchestra
Internet Poll Winner #1: To Be Determined
Internet Poll Winner #2: To Be Determined
Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man
Respighi: Pini de Roma

The Dream Lives On!
Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, January 18, 2009, 3:00 pm (note time) – Dominican University
Monday, January 19, 2009, 7:30 pm – Symphony Center

Our tribute to the life and legacy of the visionary leader will feature spoken word, gospel music, and orchestral pieces in a joyous and moving celebration. Sphinx competition winning cellist Patrice Jackson follows up her stunning 2005 debut with the orchestra, a special guest will narrate from Dr. King’s famous 1965 Selma, Alabama speech, and we’ll welcome back the mighty Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir for another roof-raising collaboration.

Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (Adagietto)
Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1

Text by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Music by Stefan Smith and Primous Fountain:
Selma 1965

Various Composers: Gospel Music

Global Voices

Sunday, March 22, 2009, 2:30 pm – Dominican University
Monday, March 23, 2009, 7:30 pm – Symphony Center

The Sinfonietta reaches across borders and cultures when guest conductor Leslie Dunner leads this groundbreaking event featuring the ancient and beautiful Indian vocal tradition Ghazal, sung by international star Kiran Ahluwalia, will be paired with the passionate sound of flamenco singing. Cimbalom virtuoso Alex Udvary joins the orchestra lending another distinctive “voice” to the concert in Kodaly’s Hary Janos Suite.

Falla: El Sombrero de Tres Picos, Fanfare
Kiran Ahluwalia:
Ghazal
Teray Darsan
Yakeenan
Jo Dil
Chant of Wind And Thunder American Premiere!
Mere Mathay

Falla: El Sombrero de Tres Picos, Introduction
Falla: El Amor Brujo, excerpts
Kodaly: Hary Janos Suite

Sound / Waves

Sunday, May 10, 2009, 2:30 pm – Dominican University
Monday, May 11, 2009, 7:30 pm – Symphony Center

The Shedd Aquarium will partner with us in presenting a concert featuring works inspired by the oceans, lakes and rivers. Breathtaking aquatic image projection and watery lighting will immerse audience and orchestra alike in an underwater world. Visual sense is paired with auditory sensations as images surrounding you move and pulse to the rhythms of a new work by noted African-American composer Michael Abels. Renowned pianist Anton Kuerti joins us in the first half of the concert.

Handel: Water Music
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1
Debussy: La Mer (Mvt. 3)
Abels: Aquadia  World Premiere Performance!

 

 

 

Special Presentations:

 

The Planets at Millennium Park

Friday, August 22, 2008, 7:30 pm
Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park

Due to popular demand, the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Adler Planetarium present an encore performance of our legendary sight and sound spectacular on Chicago’s most spectacular stage.

Astronomer and visual artist Dr. José Francisco Salgado’s breathtaking video suite is projected on a giant screen while the orchestra performs Gustav Holst’s dramatic masterwork. Immerse yourself in this unforgettable pageant of sight and sound.

This concert is free and open to the public.

Kay: Overture to the Theater Set
Ginastera: Estancia Dances
Holst: The Planets

Special thanks to the Pritzker Foundation for their generous support.

Chamber Music Series at Shedd Aquarium

The beauty and mystery of the sea has been an inspiration to artists for millennia. Now the Sinfonietta joins with Shedd Aquarium in a three-concert series featuring ensembles comprised of orchestra members, dancers, soloists, and more, all taking place amid the wondrous and ethereal beauty of Shedd’s world famous exhibits.

Shedd Aquarium will open at 6:00 p.m. for you to visit with more than 26,000 animals representing 1,500 species. Light supper and bar service is available in the Foyer Café, where you can dine while admiring the historic architecture of the Kovler Family Hall.

Dip Your Big Toe
Friday, November 28, 2008, 7:30 pm
Reflect on the vibrancy of water and the life within! The Chamber Ensemble plays music by Pachelbel, Bach and Dvorak, accompanied by movement artist Asimina Chremos.

Circle of Life Suite
Friday, February 27, 2009, 7:30 pm
Performed by the Mantra Blue Free Orchestra (14 members of the Sinfonietta) and written expressly for Shedd by Sinfonietta violist Reneé Baker, music that represents the full cycle of life contained in all waters - lakes, seas, rivers and oceans.

The Glory of Creation
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 7:30 pm
Celebrate the majesty of earth and water when the Steward Wilson Gospel Singers join the Chamber Ensemble, with repertoire from gospel composers Richard Smallwood, Laurie Goss and others.

Shedd Aquarium is located at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive on Chicago’s Museum Campus.

Three-concert series $40, $25 for CS subscribers and Shedd members.
Single tickets $15, $10 for CS subscribers and Shedd members.

Holiday Concert at Harris Theater

Monday, December 22, 2008, 7:30 pm
Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park
205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago

The Sinfonietta, under the baton of guest conductor Chelsea Tipton, returns to the Harris for a special Holiday Celebration Concert for the whole family, featuring soprano Elizabeth Norman. Enjoy such favorites as Carol of the Bells, Sleigh Ride, excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, a sing-along of familiar Christmas Carols, and much more.

Tickets $35, $30, $25.  CS subscribers $30, $25, $20.
Student and child tickets only $10!

 

All Artists, Programs, Dates and Locations subject to change.

'Carmina' kicks off Sinfonietta season

Chicago Tribune

 

Special Presentations:

The Planets
at Millennium Park

Holiday Concert
at Harris Theater

December 22

The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra

October 4, 2008
Harris Theater

Margaret Garner

November 1, 2, 6, 8, & 9
The return of grand opera to the Auditorium Theatre

The San Francisco Ballet

September 17-21
Harris Theater