Have you seen the cool video from NASA showing the incredible footage and photos from the latest space shuttle endeavor? It features the space shuttle crew and set to the song “World” by Five for Fighting. You can see Vanessa Carlton and Five for Fighting at Ravinia on July 22.
Opera Night at Ravinia: Puccini's Tosca
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Once denounced as Puccini’s “shabby little shocker,” Tosca today is revered as one of the most popular operas of all time and an acknowledged masterpiece of music drama. Patricia Racette, Savatore Licitra and Bryn Terfel star in Puccini’s Tosca on July 30 in the Ravinia pavilion. (Supertitles will be available for this performance.) Also see Bryn Terfel also perform in the Martin Theatre on August 2 with Brian Zeger on piano. The Washington Post said of Terfel, "At this point in Terfel's career, every performance is a master class in singing and stagecraft."
Classical Youth Initiative
Do you have a child in high school? They are eligible for FREE lawn tickets to see classical concerts all summer as part of the Classical Youth Initiative. Students can win money for their school’s music program by simply checking in at the box office. Find out how students can participate and get involved!
Chef Christopher Kostow Returns to Ravinia Kitchen
Chef Christoper Kostow visits Ravinia FestivalChef Christopher Kostow from The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley will visit Ravinia’s Park View restaurant this weekend July 16 and 17, as the first of Ravinia’s four guest chef events during the summer. Here’s some food for thought, Chef Kostow’s first introduction to kitchen life actually started here at Ravinia’s kitchens back when he was a teenager. After graduating from Hamilton College in New York and earning a degree in philosophy, Chef Kostow headed west to study culinary arts and enter the rarified world of fine dining. His continued culinary-studies not only allowed him to learn under with some of the finest, it gave him experience to eventually land a Michelin Star award—making him one of two American chefs to ever receive the coveted recognition and he’s also the third youngest chef (before he turned 30) to ever receive the award. So, some might call him a bit of a culinary genius.
His traditional focus on ingredients and experimental drive has sky-rocketed him to be recognized as one of the “Best New Chefs” from Food & Wine Magazine in 2009. Chef Kostow’s lists of accomplishments aren’t anything less than extraordinary. In 2010, San Francisco Chronicle’s Michael Beauer gave Chef Christopher Kostow the rare four star review. A year later, he received the highest rating of three stars from Michelin Guide and was named “Grand Chef” from Relais & Chateaux. We would say he’s kind of a big deal and so is his food!
smoked mackerel, ashen patio escabeche, with frozen crème fraicheHis approach to culinary arts is a masterful blend of contemporary French cuisine and his locally grown, farm-to-table tradition which creates a transcendent experience for diners at The Restaurant at Meadowood. Kostow is guided by pure flavors of the finest quality ingredients which leaves him room for inspired spontaneity. Here’s a lovely example: smoked mackerel, ashen patio escabeche, with frozen crème fraiche. Yum.
So what can we expect from Chef Kostow this weekend? He’ll be preparing a four-course menu, masterfully paired with Terlato Wines. His offerings are part of a special section on the Ravinia’s Park View restaurant’s menu. Take a walk up to the second floor of the dining pavilion where he will be spending a couple of days with Levy Restaurants at Ravinia’s kitchen team and will be greeting guests in the dining room during the weekend. Be sure to make reservations for the weekend!
This Week in Tweets: July 6 - 12
Each week this summer we post the top tweets of the week about Ravinia Festival under the heading This Week in Tweets. During the last week we scoured the depths of the twittersphere to bring you the best tweets that mention your favorite outdoor music festival. Log on to Twitter, follow @RaviniaFestival, tweet about us or twitpic your lawn set-up and you might wind up in our blog feature! Featured tweets will win you great prizes all summer long. We’ll contact you to claim your prize if you are featured. Don’t forget to read the contest rules too!
Wherefore Art Thou?
Maximo Califan as Tybalt at the Capulet's Ball in Act I of Dennis Nahat's ROMEO AND JULIET for Ballet San Jose. Photo by John Gerbetz
Wherefore art thou going to be on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.? That’s when I’ll be speaking at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago about Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, which is the subject of Ravinia’s One Score, One Chicago initiative this year. Everyone knows the plot, but not everyone knows the story of how this incredible ballet was composed, rejected and eventually triumphed as a crown jewel of the ballet repertoire. In researching this talk I’ve come to know and love this score, and I’m really excited about being able to share some of my thoughts on it and its place in history. There will be plenty of recorded examples as well as a live performance of excerpts played by pianist extraordinaire Mary Rose Norell, who has played these examples throughout the Chicago Public Schools system during the past year in our REACH*TEACH*PLAY programs. Be thou there, or be thou square!
John Schauer
Associate Director of Communications, Publications
Steans Alumni Win Honors at Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow
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Steans alumnus Narek Hakhnazarya took top honors in the cello division at the 14th Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow this past week, and fellow Steans alumna Jehye Lee took third place in the violin division. Both Hakhnazarya and Lee participated in the Ravinia Steans Music Institute in 2008 and 2009 and have gone on tour with other musicians from the institute. This year’s Tchaikovsky Competition consisted of four different categories with more than 120 young musicians competing.
Hakhnazaryan studied at the Moscow Conservatory and currently attends the New England Conservatory. He was the 2008 winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. He previously played a Vuillaume cello ca. 1860, which was on loan to him from the Ravinia Festival.
Lee began playing the violin at age 7 and has been heard as soloist and chamber musician in Asia, Europe and the United States. She earned a master’s degree at New England Conservatory and a graduate diploma there as a pupil of Miriam Fried. She has won many awards, including first prize in Germany’s Leopold Mozart International Violin Competition in 2009.
Miriam Fried, Program Director, Piano and Strings Faculty said, “It’s always wonderful to see our alumni go on to success outside of Steans. Not that we needed affirmation, but we are delighted for them and we wish them all the best on the way. We’ll watch their careers with interest and pleasure.”
The Steans Music Institute is the Ravinia Festival's professional studies program for young musicians. Three programs comprise the institute's summer season: the program for jazz; and classical programs for piano and strings and for singers. In each of the programs, young artists study with an internationally renowned faculty of artist/teachers, participate in concerts given as part of Ravinia's summer programming and attend Ravinia concerts.
Lang Lang Foundation Scholars Perform at Cultural Center
A standing-room only crowd gathered Friday, July 8 at the Chicago Cultural Center to listen to world-renowned pianist Lang Lang perform with three young scholars as part of his International Music Foundation’s mission to promote music education. Kids in the audience squirmed eagerly in their seats, peering over shoulders to see the three scholars who were surrounded by photographers and reporters.
Lang Lang personally selects and mentors talented young pianists from around the world and creates opportunities for them to inspire other kids in communities through live classical performances. “How many of you play an instrument?” Lang Lang asked the crowd of mostly children. Dozens of eager hands went up.
Lang Lang gave the first scholar, 11-year-old Anna Larsen, a high-five before she sat down at the piano to play two pieces, one of which she composed herself. “It has a spooky feel,” she said. “Like people dressed up as goblins on Halloween.” Following Larsen were 10-year-old Charlie Liu, who played Bach and Moszkowski, and 12-year-old Derek Wang, who played Chopin.
Fresh off of his performance at the Ravinia Festival the evening before, Lang Lang then joined Ravinia Festival President Welz Kauffman in a question-and-answer session. Lang Lang mentioned that he was originally inspired to play music at a young age after watching a famous Tom & Jerry cartoon that features Tom playing Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No.2. The three students commented on the many hours of practice it takes for them to be successful, but that the efforts are worth it.
The young scholars captivated and impressed the crowd with their talent and dedication to studying music. Kauffman was impressed, as well. He gave each of the three scholars his business card noting that “some day they’ll be playing at the Ravinia Festival.”
Ramsey Lewis Day in Illinois
in Artist News
We had a very special treat tonight prior to the Ramsey Lewis/Pink Martini concert. Ravinia's President and CEO Welz Kauffman took the stage and welcomed park guests. He then introduced to the stage Illinois Governor Pat Quinn who read a proclamation devoted to Ramsey Lewis and declared July 10, 2011, "Ramsey Lewis Day" in the state of Illinois. Lewis came out and thanked the governor and said a few words; the packed park cheered.
We are so proud to have Lewis as our artistic director of jazz and for him to perform exciting works on our stage such as tonight's U.S. premiere of Colors: The Ecology of Oneness. Congratulations, Ramsey, you deserve it!
Amy Schrage
Associate Director of Communications
A Sunday with Gershwin..
I had the pleasure of attending WFMT's Live from Mayne Stage broadcast this morning with pianist Kevin Cole. What a joy this show was! As many of you probably know, Cole is regarded as the foremost George Gershwin interpreter according to press and also members of the Gershwin family. The hour-long performance was entirely devoted to this American composer and fans enjoyed the sounds of songs such as "I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise," But Not For Me," and "Love Is Here To Stay," to name a few. In between pieces, WFMT program host Dennis Moore spoke to Cole about his experiences growing up and how he became fascinated with the great composer as well as the history of Gershwin's work.
Watching Cole move back and forth on the piano with such beauty and speed, I felt as I though I just ran a marathon! I cannot wait to hear him at our Gala Benefit Evening on July 23, when he joins forces with the great Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Music Director James Conlon and vocalists Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Sylvia McNair to pay tribute to the 75th anniversary of Gershwin's only Ravinia performance back in 1936 and recreate that original show.
Tune in to WFMT at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 31, to hear the sounds of another Ravinia artist, pianist Jorge Federico Osorio!
Amy Schrage
Associate Director of Communications
Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School Students Meet Joshua Bell
Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School violin students study and perform in ensembles with community and family members through-out the year. Last week, the students and their family members got to meet superstar violinist Joshua Bell backstage before his July 2 performance of Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy. Mr. Bell shared stories of his life as a musician and of his early days learning the violin. Click here to see pictures of the students with Mr. Bell.
When asked about the experience, 10- year old violinist Donovan Holt said “I like that I got to go backstage and meet the performer…” and his mother Donna added “…it was a wonderful evening for my entire family…all of my children were so inspired by Mr. Bell’s words and playing!”
Part of an ongoing partnership between Ravinia Festival and the community of Lawndale, the Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School provides free group lessons in piano, guitar, voice and violin to children, adults and families who reside in the Lawndale neighborhood. The Ravinia Lawndale Partnership, established in 1998, provides access to the arts and opportunities for cultural enrichment to this underserved west-side community. The Partnership brings families together, fostering an appreciation of music through high-quality music instruction, performance and concerts.
Isaac Sinnett
REACH*TEACH*PLAY Project Manager
Ravinia Festival 2011 Poster
in Park News
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Drawing inspiration from summer nights filled with music in the unique park-like setting, this year’s poster competition winner Joshua Lowe presents a modern twist on stained glass to commemorate the 2011 season at Ravinia. A first-year MFA student in visual design at Purdue University, Lowe’s poster is available at Ravinia Gifts and features the graceful figure of Albin Polasek’s bronze statue Elizabeth, which was gifted to Ravinia Festival in 1943 by then festival Chairman Percy B. Eckhart.
By George! Gershwin Greats Go Gala
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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Conlon, is paired with an all-star cast for an evening of great George Gershwin hits on Saturday, July 23 for the Gala Benefit concert. Soprano Sylvia McNair joins Broadway’s hottest new star Kelli O’Hara, leading man Brian Stokes Mitchell and one of the all-time great players of Rhapsody in Blue, Kevin Cole for an evening filled with the best of Gershwin.
Ever since Gershwin’s historic Ravinia debut in 1936, his immortal melodies and music have been a major attraction for Ravinia audiences. This concert will recreate Gershwin’s 1936 performance at the park. It is a part of the annual Gala Benefit Evening hosted by the Ravinia Festival Women’s Board. The performance will run approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. Guests are welcome to stay on the lawn and enjoy the evening after the performance. Proceeds from the fundraiser help support classical music at Ravinia and in the community through our REACH*TEACH*PLAY programs.
This Week in Tweets: June 29-July 5
Each week this summer we post the top tweets of the week about Ravinia Festival under the heading This Week in Tweets. During the last week we scoured the depths of the twittersphere to bring you the best tweets that mention your favorite outdoor music festival. Log on to Twitter, follow @RaviniaFestival, tweet about us or twitpic your lawn set-up and you might wind up in our blog feature! Featured tweets will win you great prizes all summer long. We’ll contact you to claim your prize if you are featured. Don’t forget to read the contest rules too!
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*CELEBRITY TWEET*
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Lang Lang & Friends Live
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Lang Lang will present a free program for kids at the Chicago Cultural Center from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 8. He will perform with three scholars from the Lang Lang International Music Foundation in a special concert designed to inspire and educate the next generation of classical music lovers, performers and life-long listeners. Ravinia’s President and CEO Welz Kauffman will join Lang Lang for a Q&A session. This event is recommended for children ages 11 to 13 years old. Space is limited and early arrival is recommended. The performance will also be streamed live online.
Tips for Beating the Heat
It might have taken Mother Nature a little longer than usual, but it looks like the infamous Chicago summer heat is finally upon us. While the grounds and the sounds at Ravinia might be beautiful, it’s important to be prepared when the temperature really starts to rise. So, when planning your next trip to the park, keep in mind the following tips to keep you and your loved ones safe in the heat:
- Put on sunscreen before you leave for the park and again once you arrive.
- Bring your stylish sunglasses, but don’t underestimate the sun and heat protection of a baseball cap or a fun floppy sun hat.
- Drink plenty of water. Whether you bring your own or buy some at the park, don’t forget to stay hydrated.
- Wear loose, lightly colored, cotton clothing. Don’t forget to layer, though! The Lake Michigan breeze can be chilly once the sun goes down.
- Check out Ravinia Gifts before and during the show to pick up some fabulous picnic and party gear while enjoying some A/C.
These tips are simple, sure, but it never hurts to be reminded of them. Most importantly though, enjoy yourself and enjoy the show!
Lisa Sanders
Communications Intern
From Lake Michigan to Lake Wobegon
For more than a decade, the affable and avuncular Jack Zimmerman knew just about every blade of grass at Ravinia as a public relations rep for the festival. In a fairy-tale turn, Jack returned to Ravinia last weekend, but this time on stage, a guest of American Public Radio giant Garrison Keillor. Jack read "Wakes" on the live national broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion from Ravinia. If Royko could be folksy, this Chicago-centric story strikes that tone as it recalls a South Side family with an unusual pastime forced to brave the wacky streets of the North Side. "Wakes" (get a glimpse of Jack reading it at the link below) is one of six stories intermixed with jazz by his son Andrew Zimmerman on the new CD The Gift. I've been of friend of Jack's since 1985, when we were new in newspapers together. I only hope the sense of accomplishment he felt as the laughter and applause of the audience reached him on stage was as great as the pride I felt as the one laughing the loudest.
Cheers, Jack!
--Nick Pullia
Ravinia's director of communications
This Week in Tweets: June 22-28
Each week this summer we post the top tweets of the week about Ravinia Festival under the heading This Week in Tweets. During the last week we scoured the depths of the twittersphere to bring you the best tweets that mention your favorite outdoor music festival. Log on to Twitter, follow @RaviniaFestival, tweet about us or twitpic your lawn set-up and you might wind up in our blog feature! Featured tweets will win you great prizes all summer long. We’ll contact you to claim your prize if you are featured. Don’t forget to read the contest rules too!
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23 Jun via webOMG kd lang. Live @ Ravinia. Amazing. Life changingly good. That is all. #kdlangandthesissboombang #religiousexperience #kdlang
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*CELEBRITY TWEET*
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26 Jun via Twitter for iPhonePrairie Home Companion at Ravinia! Loooooove Ravinia. http://t.co/Q44ph2a
This Week in Tweets: June 15-21
Each week this summer we post the top tweets of the week about Ravinia Festival under the heading This Week in Tweets. During the last week we scoured the depths of the twittersphere to bring you the best tweets that mention your favorite outdoor music festival. Log on to Twitter, follow @RaviniaFestival, tweet about us or twitpic your lawn set-up and you might wind up in our blog feature! Featured tweets will win you great prizes all summer long. We’ll contact you to claim your prize if you are featured. Don’t forget to read the contest rules too!
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Dave Brubeck at Ravinia - first time here, love it! http://twitpic.com/5e255g
Highland Park Students Experience Music with Ravinia Artists
Ravinia Festival's involvement with Highland Park elementary schools was showcased over the last two weeks as the 5th grade students from Indian Trail and Oak Terrace held their spring performances. Each school received a 4-week Ravinia sponsored residency with the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble. Indian Trail students explored concepts of music including; melody, harmony, form, tempo and rhythm and related them to the systems of the body. The students created and performed their own compositions to show how these individual components come together to create a piece. Oak Terrace students discovered the symphony through the famous melodies of Beethoven. At the final performance last week, students performed themes from Beethoven Symphonies with members of the Ensemble (pictured above).
The “professional” debut of over 100 Highland Park middle school students at Ravinia Festival’s Bennett Gordon Hall on April 19, was the highlight of the residencies with Ravinia artists. “A Morning of Jazz” featured performances by band students from Northwood, Elm Place and Edgewood Middle Schools alongside several Ravinia Festival Jazz Mentors, nine of Chicago’s best jazz musicians that give master classes to Chicago Public High School students and intensive year-round training to twenty-five CPS students (Jazz Scholars) selected through audition. Led by their respective band directors Margaret Delligatti (pictured right), Matt Taylor and Mollie McDougall, Northwood performed Duke Ellington's “Satin Doll,” Elm Place played “Round Midnight” by Thelonius Monk, and Edgewood rendered “Caravan” by Duke Ellington.
Ravinia Festival Jazz Mentors Ernie Adams (drums), Pat Mallinger (saxophone), Audrey Morrison (trombone) and Pharez Whitted (trumpet) worked closely with District 112 band student’s at all three Highland Park middle schools to expand their repertoire into jazz with an in-depth exposure and study of jazz music, techniques and performance. These top Chicago Jazz musicians taught six workshops at each school in which Highland Park's aspiring middle school musicians were able to study and learn in small groups.
For over 10 years, Ravinia Festival and the 112 Education Foundation have partnered to bring high quality musical residencies and performances to Highland Park elementary and middle school students. Ravinia provides top Chicago musicians to work with the students in band, orchestra and choir and musical programming that enhances the musical curriculum to at least two elementary schools on a rotating basis, and to all three middle schools. The Festival hosts the annual Kids-Go-Classic concert at Ravinia where thousands of District 112 students and their families are given free lawn passes to attend a summer afternoon concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Isaac Sinnett
REACH*TEACH*PLAY Project Manager