Vocal Stars to Join Chicago Philharmonic for BODY AND SOUL Season Opener

The Chicago Philharmonic spins the wheel of fortune and fate alongside spectacular guest vocalists this October in 'Body and Soul', the opening concert of the 2017-2018 Season: Glorious Earth.

Headlining the program is Carl Orff's awe-inspiring, unforgettable Carmina Burana, inspired by a collection of medieval poems exploring the earthly experiences of life - from the village green bursting with life, to the pleasures in the tavern, and the perils of the court of love. This year marks 80 years since the work was premiered in Frankfurt in 1937.

Joining the Chicago Philharmonic and Conductor Scott Speck for this towering choral masterpiece is the Apollo Chorus, the oldest musical organization in Chicago, the Evanston Children's Choir, and soloists Hugh Russell (in his signature role), Martha Guth, and Justin Berkowitz. Guth, Russell, and Berkowitz all have a celebrated history of performing Carmina Burana, performing it alongside over 20 different orchestras between them.

Chicago Philharmonic contrasts the temptations of the body in Carmina Burana with an exploration of the celestial energy of the enlightened person by presenting American composer Christopher Theofanidis' most performed work, Rainbow Body. In Rainbow Body, Theofanidis merges his love of medieval mystic and visionary Hildegard von Bingen's music with his fascination with the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy of 'The Rainbow Body'.

Rounding out the program is Igor Stravinsky's beautiful Firebird Suite. Based on a Russian fairy tale about a magical bird, the possession of which can be both a blessing and a curse, the suite was the first original score written for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballet Russes and became Stravinsky's breakthrough hit.

IF YOU GO:

BODY AND SOUL

October 15, 2017, 7pm

Pick-Staiger Hall, Evanston

SCOTT SPECK Conductor

APOLLO CHORUS OF CHICAGO

EVANSTON CHILDREN'S CHOIR

MARTHA GUTH Soprano

HUGH RUSSELL Baritone

JUSTIN BERKOWITZ Tenor

CARL ORFF Carmina Burana

CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS Rainbow Body

Igor Stravinsky Firebird Suite

Approximate running time 2 hours including intermission.

Tickets $25 - $75 / Students $10
chicagophilharmonic.org
(312) 957 0000

The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a collaboration of over 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chicago metropolitan area. Governed under a groundbreaking structure of musician leadership, the Society presents concerts at venues throughout the Chicago area that cover the full spectrum of classical music, from Bach to Bernstein and beyond. The Society's orchestra, known simply as the Chicago Philharmonic, has been called "one of the country's finest symphonic orchestras" (Chicago Tribune), and its unique chamber music ensembles, which perform as the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players, draw from its vast pool of versatile musicians. The Society's outreach programs connect Chicago-area youth to classical music and provide performance opportunities for members of the community. Founded 26 years ago by principal musicians from the Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic currently serves as the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet, continues its 21-year association with the Ravinia Festival, and presents symphonic concerts in Chicago's North Shore region and Harris Theater Chicago.

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