This summer, Ravinia Festival presents the first annual Breaking Barriers festival, curated by newly extended Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop. The festival will celebrate the diverse artists and leaders in the forefront of classical music today and in the future. This year, Breaking Barriers focuses on women conductors and will take place July 29–31.
The weekend of Breaking Barriers: Women on the Podium highlights the important role of mentors in breaking barriers for women conductors, and honors such arts leaders as Margaret Hillis (who founded and led the Chicago Symphony Chorus) with performances of major choral works; Leonard Bernstein (Alsop’s primary mentor) through his music canonizing the female voice; and Alsop herself, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Taki Alsop Fellowship by featuring current and past winners.
“I’m thrilled to continue this creative partnership with both the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the visionary management and board of the Ravinia Festival,” said Marin Alsop. “Gender equality and representation in music are areas I’ve focused on during my entire career, and it’s gratifying to work with partners who support and champion positive change in our industry. Building on the legacy of Margaret Hillis during her 100th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to look back and also look forward. I’m excited to introduce audiences to a new generation of artists this summer and in the coming years.”
This year Breaking Barriers will feature three Ravinia concerts, with connecting events each day, including the following highlights:
Taki Alsop Fellows in Concert with Marin
Current fellow Anna Duczmal-Mróz and alumnae Laura Jackson and Jeri Lynne Johnson will make their CSO debuts joining Marin Alsop on a program featuring Michael Daugherty’s Time Machine for three conductors and CSO resident composer Jessie Montgomery’s Source Code.
Voices on High in Honor of Margaret Hillis
The Chicago Symphony Chorus will combine with Marin Alsop and the CSO to perform Leonard Bernstein’s “Kaddish” Symphony, where women’s voices are the tether to the highest powers, examining the essential, eternal questions of humanity and faith.
Symposium: Forging Paths for Women Conductors
Marin Alsop, CSC leader and Margaret Hillis biographer Cheryl Frazes Hill, and Taki Alsop fellows Anna Duczmal-Mróz and Jeri Lynne Johnson will feature on a panel discussion of past and present pathways for women conductors, moderated by longtime music journalist Wynne Delacoma.
Award-Winning Documentary Screenings
The weekend will have multiple showings of The Conductor, a chronicle of Marin Alsop achieving her childhood dream told through professional and personal encounters, archival footage with her mentor Leonard Bernstein, and scenes of Alsop shaping the next wave of
Family Concert: Because
How can music change a young person’s life? See for yourself when Mo Willems’ story of chance comes to the festival following its world premiere National Symphony Orchestra concert. The program is composed by Jessie Montgomery, arranged by Jannina Norpoth, and based on the book written by Mo Willems and illustrated by Amber Ren.
For information about these and other events, visit breakingbarriers.ravinia.org.