Lyric Opera of Chicago to Welcome Violinist Itzhak Perlman, April 6, 2014

Lyric Opera of Chicago will host a special performance by Itzhak Perlman, the world-renowned violinist, on Sunday, April 6, at 2pm.

Following the end of the regular opera season March 23, the legendary virtuoso will make his Civic Opera House debut in a recital with his frequent collaborator, pianist Rohan De Silva. Video screens will provide outstanding viewing for every seat in the theater.

"We are honored to present this great musician in recital at the opera house," said Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director. "Having this brilliant and beloved violinist play on the stage of the Ardis Krainik Theatre continues Lyric's 'new tradition' of presenting exceptional performances outside the regular opera season and repertoire, which fits the larger vision for our company shared by Lyric's creative consultant Renée Fleming, music director Sir Andrew Davis, and myself."

Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also to the irrepressible joy of making music, which he communicates. In 2009, Perlman was honored to take part in the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, premiering a piece written for the occasion by John Williams and performing with clarinetist Anthony McGill, pianist Gabriela Montero, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In 2003 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts granted Perlman a Kennedy Center Honor celebrating his distinguished achievements and contributions to the cultural and educational life of our nation. In 2007, he performed at the State Dinner for Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, hosted by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush at the White House.

Perlman maintains a rigorous schedule nationally and internationally, performing in recital and with the world's leading orchestras, and also recording extensively. In addition to his many orchestral and recital appearances throughout the world, Perlman served as music advisor the St. Louis Symphony (2002-4) and as principal guest conductor of the Detroit Symphony (2001-5). He has guest-conducted the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Montreal, Atlanta, and Toronto, as well as at the Ravinia and OK Mozart festivals. Internationally, Perlman has conducted the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, London Philharmonic, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Israel Philharmonic.

Perlman has won four Emmy Awards and 15 Grammy awards. He performed at the 2006 Academy Awards and at the Juilliard School Centennial gala, broadcast nationally on "Live from Lincoln Center." One of Perlman's proudest achievements is his collaboration with composer John Williams in Steven Spielberg's Academy Award-winning film Schindler's List, for which Perlman performed the violin solos.

Perlman devotes considerable time to education, both in his participation each summer in the Perlman Music Program and in his teaching at the Juilliard School, where he holds the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Chair. He was awarded an honorary doctorate and a centennial medal on the occasion of Julliard's 100th commencement ceremony in May 2005.

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