Madonna Mia, Ci Sono Molte Donne!

There’s a frequently repeated joke about the novice opera-goer who comes out of a performance and comments, “Wow, that Don Giovanni was a regular Don Juan!” The joke being, of course, that Don Giovanni IS Don Juan, translated into Italian.

But Don Juan gave his name to more than an opera and a legend; it also became a psychological diagnosis, the so-called “Don Juan complex.” Quite some time ago, TV talk-show host Sally Jessye Raphael devoted one of her shows to “Don Juans,” which she defined as “men who think they are God’s gift to women.” To qualify for participation on her panel, the men had to have slept with—or claim to have slept with—at least 200 women. One of her four guest subjects actually boasted of having had sexual relations with over 1,500 women, a claim that brought a gasp of astonishment from the studio audience.

What they probably didn’t realize is that Mozart’s Don Giovanni would have sneered at that paltry figure. In the first act, Giovanni’s henchman Leporello is explaining the reality of the situation to the scorned and furious Donna Elvira in the so-called “Catalogue aria,” in which he enumerates his master’s conquests: “In Italy, 640; in Germany, 231; 100 in France; in Turkey, 91; but in Spain, 1,003 and counting.” Mind you, the large number of Spanish conquests is not a moral judgment against Spanish women, but merely reflects the fact that Giovanni lived in Spain and, of course, did better on his home turf.

This brings his total to a whopping 2,065. And had Donna Anna not screamed for help in the first scene, it would have been 2,066. All of which makes Sally Jessye’s guests look like rank amateurs. Fortunately for them, at the end of the taping, they were allowed to simply leave the studio rather than being dragged into Hell by a living stone statue, a far more dramatically effective ending. You can see and hear baritone Christopher Maltman pay the ultimate price for his lecherous ways—all to the accompaniment of the glorious Chicago Symphony Orchestra—on August 14 and 16 in Ravinia’s Martin Theatre.

Theme From 2001 Expands Across Galaxy of More Unexpected Film

Carl Sagan might say that Richard Strauss’s heavenly Also sprach Zarathustra shows up in billions and billions of movies. Though most earthlings associate the bombastic piece with Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, it has crash-landed in some unexpected titles such asZoolander, Land of the Lost, Wall-E, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,Jackass Number Two, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Magnolia andCasino. On July 11 conductor Robert Moody and the CSO prove pop culture and the classics are more intertwined than we think with the program “Classics Go the Movies,” which features timeless favorites made familiar through their use on film soundtracks.

Hobbit Resource Guide Available Now

Ravinia’s One Score, One Chicago initiative features a piece of symphonic music each year to be the focal point of a public conversation about the art and as a project to bring into schools through its REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs.

This year’s One Score selection is Howard Shore’s Oscar-winning score to The Lord of the Rings—The Return of the King, and an original resource guide is available online now. With his Oscar-winning scores for the Lord of the Ringstrilogy, Howard Shore contributed the heartbeat if not the soul of those phenomenally successful films.

Ravinia concludes the trilogy this summer with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing the score to The Return of the King while the film is broadcast on video screens in the Pavilion and on the lawn on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8. Pavilion or lawn tickets are $25 each. Children and students will be admitted free to the lawn, but tickets must be reserved in advance.

RSMI Alumna Wins 'Bravas' For Singing Mozart Roles

It’s not easy to impress the critics at the Financial Times. Layla Claire just makes it look that way. In fact, the alumna from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute (RSMI) is winning raves from publications around the world for her performances in two Mozart operas, the Canadian Opera Company’s Così fan tutte and the Glyndebourne Festival’s Don Giovanni (which runs through Aug. 1). The Financial Times said, “Layla Claire’s Donna Anna dominates through the size of her voice and the electric current that runs through it.” Ravinia presents two Mozart operas of its own, Don Giovanni on Aug. 14 and 16 and The Marriage of Figaro on Aug. 15 and Aug. 17, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under James Conlon in the Martin Theatre.

Kevin Cole Steps In To Play With CSO On July 29

Due to scheduling difficulties beyond his control, Chucho Valdés will not perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on July 29 at Ravinia as previously announced. Valdés will perform at Ravinia on July 30, as planned, for his “Latin Night” concert with co-headliner Bebel Gilberto. Ravinia is grateful to Kevin Cole for joining conductorJames Conlon and the CSO on July 29 to perform Rhapsody in Blue, which has become a signature piece for the Gershwin expert. Cole last playedRhapsody at Ravinia in 2011, leaving the Chicago Tribune saying, “When Kevin Cole sits down at the piano, you would swear Gershwin himself was at work ... Cole stands as the best Gershwin pianist in America today.”

Jonas Tarm Commissioned To Write Music For New York Youth Symphony

New England Conservatory student Jonas Tarm, 20, an alumnus of Highland Park High School and founding member of the Ravinia Student Marketing Board, has been commissioned to write a new orchestral work for the New York Youth Symphony, which will give the premiere in March 2015 at Carnegie Hall. Tarm was selected based in part on his work for string orchestra, Headline Hues, which had its world premiere in Estonia last year and received its American premiere last month with the NEC Symphony conducted by Paul Biss, a longtime faculty member of Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute.

RSMI in Havana Part II

A cool front arrived late yesterday along with the three lost suitcases. Last night we all attended the opening concert of the 20th Frank Fernandez Music Festival at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Habana Vieja. The first part of the  program consisted of songs for choir and short pieces for string quartets by Maestro  Fernandez. There was a brief ceremony honoring his 70th birthday followed by a vigorous rendering of "The Trout" with Maestro Fernandez at the piano. The concert was attended by a standing room only crowd of fervent fans. Two Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies were played as encores.

A casually elegant reception followed in a charming open courtyard across the street from the Basilica. There Diane and Madeleine were introduced by Maestro Fernandez to Cuba's First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel.  In very understandable English he asked us for 2 favors: to bring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Ricardo Muti to Cuba, and to help our 2 countries find a path toward a normal relationship. We said we would try. What a thrill to meet the man standing next in line to Raul.

A late dinner was eaten at the charming new paladar "Ivan Justo"around the corner from Havana's Revolutionary Museum whose centerpiece is the "Grandma" — the boat that the Castro's and Che used to cross from Mexico to begin the Revolution in the mid fifties. More to follow...

Madeleine and Diane

RSMI in Havana Part I

Friends of Ravinia's Steans Music Institute, Diane Karzas and Madeleine Plonsker, joined the ensemble on their trip to Cuba and took time out of their busy schedule to send us this story about the beginning of their trip to Havana.

After a short delay while the plane was weighed we took off on our less than one hour flight down to Havana. Matt, Miriam and Madeleine suitcases had to be left behind, but at least we have all the instruments. We are hoping to see them today, but we are having issues with internet.

The weather is glorious and our first day began in the grand casino room of a pre-Revolutionary club for Spaniards. Miriam first worked with a piano trio playing the Haydn Piano Trio No. 4 in F Major. The students listened intently to Miriam's instructive comments and their playing soon began to reflect her words. The second group to perform was a piano and violin playing Beethoven"s Spring Sonata, Movements 1 & 3. The room rang clear with the interchange between the duo and Miriam. Each group received an hour's instruction.

Now for the social side: last night we were all invited for dinner at the newly restored mansion of one of Cuba's most important artists. Esterio Segura, known internationally for his sculpture, painting and photography, gave us a tour of his new studio and gallery space before sitting us down to a three course dinner prepared by his own private chef. The evening was spent in lively conversation about how the arts in Cuba relate to its politics.

This afternoon will be spent in practice by the quartet. Tonight the group will attend the opening concert of the Frank Fernandez Music Festival where the Steans Institute Quartet is on the program for Friday night.

Your Girls In Havana,  

Diane & Madeleine

(pictured above: Basílica Menor del Convento de San Francisco de Asís where RSMI will perform on March 28)

[UPDATE 11:00 AM: Everyone has arrived safe and sound in Cuba, luggage included.]

Steans Alumni Duo Release Album To N.Y. Times Rave

Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute (RSMI) alumni pianist Reiko Uchida and baritone Thomas Meglioranza released their third album together, The Good Song, a collection of French songs, to rave reviews. The New York Times says, “Sublime is the first word that comes to mind when confronted with this new recital disc by the skillful, intelligent baritone Thomas Meglioranza, whose knack for French songs by Fauré, Debussy, Poulenc and Ravel matches the distinction he has shown previously in recordings of canonical Schubert and contemporary music. Reiko Uchida, playing an 1890 Pleyel piano, supports his light, handsome voice with insight, subtlety and pearly luminosity.” 

Musicians From Ravinia's Conservatory Go To Havana

Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute (RSMI) will become one of the first U.S. chamber ensembles to perform in Cuba at 6 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Basílica Menor del Convento de San Francisco de Asís in Havana as part of Festival de Música de Cámara. Ensemble members are selected annually from past participants in RSMI, which each year awards about 70 of the best young professionals from around the world full fellowships to study and perform with Ravinia’s headliners and top-notch educators. Violinist Miriam Fried, director of the RSMI Piano and Strings Program, will lead the ensemble that features violinist Alexi Kenney of San Francisco, CA; cellist SuJin Lee of Boston, MA; violist Matthew Lipman of Chicago, IL; and pianist Henry Kramer of Cape Elizabeth, ME. Along with David Ludwig’s Aria Fantasy, which was commissioned by Ravinia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of RSMI and was premiered at the festival last summer, the program will include Haydn’s Piano Trio in E-flat Major and Schubert’s String Quartet No. 15 in G Major.

The performance marks the first international appearance of the ensemble, which kicked off its annual spring tour on its home turf at this past Saturday in Bennett Gordon Hall.

Ravinia's Summer Conservatory, RSMI, Send Alumni to the Festival's Stages

Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute awards 60–70 fully paid fellowships each summer to the world’s finest young professional musicians to immerse themselves in the festival and study with the stars.

Many of the alumni of this intensive and competitive program have gone onto illustrious careers, including four who are members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In fact, 17 alumni will perform at Ravinia this summer with the CSO, The Knights, the Juilliard String Quartet, in Ravinia’s operas and on the $10 BGH Classics series. Ten current RSMI faculty members will also perform, including violinists Miriam Fried and Midori, soprano Kiri Te Kanawa and pianist Kevin Murphy.

Pulitzer- and Grammy- Winner Caroline Shaw and Brad Wells Chat Live Feb 24

In advance of Ravinia’s March 29 concert by Roomful of Teeth, featuring a performance of the Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy-winning Partita for Eight Voices, director Brad Wells and composer-member Caroline Shaw will participate in a live video question-and-answer session. To make sure your question gets answered, tweet it in advance @RaviniaFestival with #RoomfulQA, then join the imaginative collaborators live at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Ravinia.org/RoomfulQA.aspx. Reserved tickets for the group’s Ravinia debut are only $10, or $40 inclusive of dinner. In addition to the much-lauded Partita, the program will include works by Rinde Eckert, Caleb Burhans, Judd Greenstein, Brad Wells and Merrill Garbus. 

Throwback Thursday: Seiji Ozawa & Igor Stravinsky

In 1965 the legendary Igor Stravinsky sat down with then-Ravinia Music Director Seiji Ozawa to discuss his upcoming program. On the evening of July 8, Stravinsky, along with protégé Robert Craft, led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on a program including Handel’s Concerto Grosso in B-flat Major* (arranged by Schoenberg) and two of his own works: the Symphony in Three Movements and The Fairy’s Kiss (Le baiser de la fée). What a treat for the audience that evening!

*In the repetoire archive, Webern’s Six Pieces for Orchestra was supposedly performed in place of the Handel piece, but it has not been independently confirmed yet.

Century and A Half Since Losing America's First Great Songwriter

Yesterday marked the 150^th anniversary of the death of American composer, Stephen Foster.  Known for such traditional American fare as  "Oh! Susanna" (1846),  "Camptown Races" (1850), "Nelly Bly" (1850), "Old Folks at Home" (also known as "Swanee River," 1851), "My Old Kentucky Home" (1853), "Old Dog Tray" (1853), "Hard Times Come Again No More" (1854), "Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair" (1854), and "Beautiful Dreamer" (1862).  He is considered to be America’s first great songwriter.

Stephen Foster — July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864.

Lang Lang to Join Metallica on Grammy Stage

Theres something new to look forward to at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards later this month. Metallica, celebrating the 25th anniversary of being the first hard rock band to ever take the Grammy stage, will perform alongside internationally renowned pianist (and Ravinia favorite) Lang Lang. Will we see a heavy metal Lang Lang, a classical Metallica, or something inbetween? We're already sitting on the edge of our seats waiting! The Grammys will air on January 26 on CBS. Check your local listings for times.

Ziering-Conlon Lead Initiative Recieves $1 Million Gift

Sel Kardan, President and CEO of The Colburn School, announced today the establishment of The Ziering-Conlon Initiative for Recovered Voices at the Colburn School. Los Angeles philanthropist Marilyn Ziering has made the Initiative possible with a generous $1 million gift to Colburn. The Initiative builds upon the Recovered Voices project at LA Opera, established to support conductor James Conlon’s long-term commitment to bring attention to the works of important composers whose music was suppressed during the Nazi years in Europe.

Mr. Kardan said, “The Ziering-Conlon Initiative’s primary focus will be performance, advocacy and dissemination of music by suppressed composers. Research and academic activities will be explored through creative collaborations, conferences, concerts and publishing. In addition, we hope that Internet, public radio and television broadcasting will provide opportunities to reach international audiences.”

He continued, “The Ziering-Conlon Initiative will give Mr. Conlon, whose leading advocacy of this repertoire is acknowledged throughout the world, the unprecedented opportunity to share his insights on this important music, literature and the history of music in the first half of the twentieth century with Colburn students and the Colburn community at large."

For the full release click here.

Lincoln Trio Receives 2014 Grammy Nod

Congratulations to the Lincoln Trio on their 2014 Grammy nomination for Whitbourn's Annelies! They have received a nomination in the Best Choral Performance category for their collaboration with Arianna Zukerman and the Westmister Williamson Voices. This work had its Chicago premiere as part of our BGH Classics series back on February 24! The Lincoln Trio was formed in 2003 by Desirée Ruhstrat, David Cunliffe and Marta Aznavoorian, and is a nod to being based in the Land of Lincoln. We wish them the best of luck!

Paying Our Respects to Former CSO Trombonist

Former Chicago Symphony Orchestra trombonist Edward Kleinhammer passed away on Nov 30 at the age of 94. He was a well-respected member of the orchestra for 45 year until his retirement in 1985, spending many summers here at Ravinia. He is survived by his wife, Dessie.

“What a joy it is to work with Ed; he is the most conscientious musician I have ever met. He is a fanatic about practicing. He arrives hours before rehearsals and concerts to make sure his preparation is as good as it can be. Because his personal standards of playing and conduct are so high, Ed never tries to compete with anyone but himself. He is humble about his own talents and generous in praising others.... There was only one way he could be a musician, and that was by giving 110 percent of himself.” — Jay Friedman, principal trombone of the CSO in 1985

via Chicago Tribune