James Levine Returns to the Ravinia Festival After Two Decades, Today

Ravinia's longtime music director James Levine (1973-93) returns for the first time in more than two decades to lead the orchestra in Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony, the first piece he played when he made his Ravinia debut 45 years ago as a last-minute replacement for that season's gala, this Saturday, July 23, 2016.

Ravinia Women's Board hosts the annual gala as the only musical fundraiser for the not-for-profit festival and its REACH*TEACH*PLAY eduation programs, which serve 75,000 people every year.

Levine says, "Little did I know when I first came to Ravinia how important my time there would turn out to be, and the significant development it would stimulate in my artistic growth. With the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, I felt as though we were an ideal match, each provoking the other to strive for its best. For more than 20 years it was my summer home, and I've looked forward to returning for a long time. This summer I conduct Mahler's Second Symphony, the masterpiece of my debut at Ravinia 45 years ago."

The event also features Chicago Symphony Chorus [Duain Wolfe, Director], Ying Fang, Soprano and Karen Cargill, Mezzo Soprano.

For tickets or more information, visit: http://www.ravinia.org/ShowDetails/Index?id=1042