Ravinia Insider

The Enso String Quartet @ Ravinia

gerald — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 14:56:55 +0000

On March 9th, this Friday the Enso String Quartet, one of Ravinia Festival’s Rising Stars, will play at 8:00 p.m. at Bennnett-Gordon Hall.

Each member’s reputation for excellence is concrete as they all hail from highly regarded schools of art such as Julliard, New England Conservatory and the University of Cantebury (New Zealand).

Chicago is very priveleged to have such an acclaimed group visit as they currently are the residential Quartet at Musiqa - a contemporary music organization located in Houston. Their vast diversity and international experience brings an engaging ensemble, blending the sounds of the violin, the viola and the cello.

Reserved seats are only $20.

Find out more by visiting Ravinia.org

Technorati Tags: ravinia music festival, chicago entertainment, chicago music

Summer Dreaming

Charissa — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 06:07:11 +0000

Ah, relaxing in warm 80 degree weather on soft green grass; lying on a comfy blanket while watching the sun turn summer sky into pinks and ambers; and being engulfed the warm, social, musical atmosphere of a great show on the Ravinia lawn!

Now back to reality - this zero degree weather is far from this scene. Luckily, this picnic fantasy is soon to become a reality! The first show scheduled for this summer is the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir on June 27, 2007. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for lawn seating and $95 for reserved seating.

Here’s to thinking of June!

Technorati Tags: Ravinia, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, June 2007 events

Final Ravinia Festival Events of 2006

gerald — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 16:04:08 +0000

Here is a list of the remaining Ravinia events this year.

Rising Stars
Musicians from Marlboro
Friday, October 27, 2006
Bennett-Gordon Hall @ 8:00 PM
Reserved seats $20

Rising Stars
Sa Chen
Friday, November 03, 2006
Bennett-Gordon Hall @ 8:00 PM
Reserved seats $20

Rising Stars
Soyeon Lee
Friday, November 10, 2006
Bennett-Gordon Hall @ 8:00 PM
Reserved seats $20

Rising Stars
Alena Baeva
Friday, November 17, 2006
Bennett-Gordon Hall @ 8:00 PM
Reserved seats $20

Technorati Tags: Ravinia Festival, Soyeon Lee, Sa Chen, Alena Baeva, Musicians from Marlboro

2006 a very successful year for Ravinia

Meagan — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:25:30 +0000

Thanks to all of you who came out to support Ravinia, 2006 was the most successful year for Ravinia to date. Ravinia broke its own attendence records, attracting more than 634,000 visitors in 2006 alone. The goal for Full House was also exceeded by 10 percent than what Ravinia officials expected. The goal was to increase audience members for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 70 percent to 73 percent, but instead increased it to 83 percent. Thanks in part to the premier of Gypsy, Bach’s Brandengerg concertos and multiple nights of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia succeeded more than they thought imaginable. Hopefully next year will be even more successful as Ravinia continues to announce 2007 highlights.

Technorati Tags: Ravinia, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Gypsy

The final days of Ravinia 2006 are here

Meagan — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 20:44:58 +0000

This is the last week that Ravinia goers can make it out to Ravinia and be able to catch a show in action.
The Music Theatre Workshop presents “The Princess and the Black-eyed Pea” on Thursday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. The Hans Christian Andersen tale is being retold through Lillias White, in a soulful rendition, as her Ravinia debut. A lot of hype has been following this, especially due to White’s 1997 performance in The Life on Broadway, in which she earned the prestigious “Quadruple Crown”. The Crown consists of the Tony, Drama Desk, Peoples Choice and Outer Critics Awards. This is the last Ravinia performance of the year, so be sure to come out and catch it.

Technorati Tags: Ravinia, The Princess and the Black-eyed Pea, Hans Christian Andersen, Quadruple Crown

Tonight’s Lyle Lovett night at Ravinia

Meagan — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 22:11:36 +0000

Tonight is the night that many Ravinia-goers have been waiting for. It’s not everyday you get to see Lyle Lovett in concert, especially at Ravinia. Come on, who wouldn’t enjoy watching and listening to Julia Roberts former fling? Lovett is a four-time Grammy winner who has made a recent crossover from country to pop. People really enjoy his music, although I’m not quite sure if I’ve even heard any new music from him. But that’s all the more reason to go and check it out. Lawn tickets are still available for $15. The show starts at 8 p.m. and includes his large band. This should make for a great Friday night event, so be sure to go!

Technorati Tags: Ravinia, Lyle Lovett

Ravinia’s Steans Institute for Young Artists

Meagan — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 16:56:36 +0000

Did you know that Ravinia has a professional studies program for young musicians? Well they do, and it’s called the Steans Institute for Young Artists. For the Institute’s summer season, there are five different programs. The program for jazz; the classical programs for piano and strings, for vocal chamber music; and for singers; and the Sandra K. Crown Program for American Classic Music Theater. Young artists study with an international renowned faculty of artist/teachers, participate in concerts given as part of Ravinia’s summer programming and attend Ravinia concerts. Alumni from the Institute can be heard around the world, in major concert halls and opera houses all over the United States and Western Europe.
Every year the Steans Institute awards musicians with career grants, and other various awards. It’s a really neat program that offers a wide variety for interested students and musicians. I strongly encourage further research if you have any interest at all.

Technorati Tags: Ravinia, Stean institute for Young Artists, Sandra K. Crown Program for American Classic Music Theater

Don’t miss the last Ravinia happenings

Meagan — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:01:55 +0000

Summer is over, and the year is drawing to an end. Well, for Ravinia anways. With September just a few days away, the end of Ravinia is only a few short weeks away. But Ravinia isn’t going out quietly. No, Ravinia is holding out on some of the best concerts and events in order to go out with a bang. With concerts such as Tony Bennett, Cheap Trick, Lyle Lovitt and Hootie and the Blowfish, everyone is sure to have a good time. There are a few more Beethoven’s Sonata’s left, Martini’s at the Martin, Dance Festivals and Music theatre workshops. As the air turns cooler, the heat turns up at Ravinia.
Not only will Ravinia go out with a bang, but they have also recently announced the big event for Ravinia 2007. Placido Domingo will headline the Ravinia Women’s Board Gala on August 4th, 2007, which means you have less than a full year to mark your calendars for this special event. He will perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Colon for an amazing show.

Technorati Tags: Ravinia, Highland Park, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Women’s Board Gala, September 2006 calendar

Sometimes you’ve just “Gotta Dance” at Ravinia!

Meagan — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 22:08:05 +0000

Remember last year, how watching The Wizard of Oz with the live orchestra was just an unbelievable feeling? Well, in order to beat that, Ravinia has brought “Gotta Dance” to the big screen, as eye candy for your delight, a spectacle worth seeing over and over. “Gotta Dance” is a celebration of some of Hollywood’s fanciest footwork. It includes parts of some of Hollywood’s most famous numbers, including Brigadoon, Singin’ in the Rain, and An American in Paris. It will feature dance legends such as Gene Kelly, Cyd Charrise, and Leslie Caron.

The magic all takes place on Wednesday, August 30th at 8 p.m., $10 lawn seats and $40 pavillion seats. The park will open at 5 p.m. and the show will be conducted by Robert Moody.

Technorati Tags: Ravinia, Highland Park, IL, “Gotta Dance”, Brigadoon, Singin’ in the Rain, An American in Paris, Gene Kelly, Cyd Charrise, Leslie Caron

B.B. is still a King at Ravinia

Meagan — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 18:10:21 +0000

B.B. King’s performance at Ravinia this past weekend was proof enough that he’s still got it. Who cares that this was his 80th birthday bash and who cares about his plans for retirement. Do care about the amazing crowd he drew, to their feet nonetheless, and do care about the amazing sound he still has. Do care that he acted nothing like he was 80 years old, almost 81. His performance was nothing short of amazing. Which in turn, led to another amazing Ravinia experience. Playing to more than 16,000 Ravinia-goers, King’s performance this past weekend was one of the most mind-blowing performances he has given in Chicago ever before. Playing a variety of blue’s music, King impressed the crowd with his extreme guitar-playing skills, proving that he is still the King of blues.

Technorati Tags: Ravinia, B.B. King, concerts