Mäkelä Conducts Ein Heldenleben
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Music
Runs Feb 19 – Feb 21, 2026
It isn’t hard to guess the identity of the central character in A Hero’s Life, Richard Strauss’ extravagant showpiece filled with action, valor and romance — it’s undeniably the composer himself. Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä pairs the work with music from his native Finland: Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen, a symphonic portrait of the life and romantic escapades of the country’s folk hero.