Upcoming Events
One of the most heartfelt musical dialogues ever written, Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante for violin and viola shares a program with Elgar’s stately, visionary Second Symphony.
Kick off the new season in style! Superstar mezzo-soprano and 2025/26 CSO Artist-in-Residence Joyce DiDonato joins Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and the CSO for a celebratory program of vocal pieces …
Ravel’s jazz-fueled Piano Concerto in G Major fits Alice Sara Ott “like a custom suit,” raves The New York Times. Ott presents the glittering score alongside Ravel’s magnificent Piano …
Prepare for an evening of passion, tradition and the soul-stirring beauty of timeless music. Aida Cuevas, the unrivaled queen of ranchera music and “La Voz de México” (the …
Pergolesi’s sacred masterpiece, the Stabat Mater, is filled with gorgeous, spine-tingling music that explores the nature of grief, hope and healing. These emotions also course through Barber’s sublime Adagio …
Dvořák expertly weaves the heartbeat of Czech folk dances into his soulful Violin Concerto. It’s a perfect vehicle for Augustin Hadelich, who “conveys the music’s rousing energy, while …
Christian McBride and Brad Mehldau — two music icons with a long history of collaboration — bring the intimacy and charm of a jazz club to Symphony Center. …
Celebrate the joy of music with TwoSet Violin, the classical music duo that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Known for their hilarious sketches, viral videos and …
Love, witchcraft, murder — it’s all packed into Symphonie fantastique, Berlioz’s thriller about a lovesick artist obsessed with a young actress. Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä leads this …
Yunchan Lim, who at 18 became the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn Competition, climbs the summit of Baroque keyboard music in Bach’s Goldberg Variations. A miraculous series of 30 …
Step into the engrossing world of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale — a Faustian fable about a soldier-fiddler who makes a pact with the devil — in this semi-staged collaboration with …
MacArthur Fellow and Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter and composer Chris Thile, hailed as “an all-round musician” (The Guardian), brings his genre-spanning artistry to Symphony Center. This wide-ranging …
A living legend, always looking forward
After Herbie Hancock’s 2024 performance at Symphony Center, the Chicago Tribune hailed him as “one of music’s most catalytic forces,” seamlessly navigating his vast catalog …
Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti returns with an all-time orchestral favorite: Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Its glorious melodies capture the folk songs and spirituals the composer heard in …
Beatrice Rana brings her exquisite artistry to a program brimming with color and intensity. In Debussy’s Etudes, Book II, she demonstrates “a clear understanding of what can make that …
Rodrigo’s captivating portrait of the royal palace and gardens near Madrid features guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, who, in his 2019 CSO appearance, “immediately dusted away the clichés, thanks to …
Masterful sound, soulful expression
Joshua Redman, one of the most respected jazz saxophonists of his generation, “plays with imagination and empathy” (The Guardian). His performances are celebrated for their …
Warbling birds, trickling streams, summer storms, barking dogs, icy landscapes — Vivaldi pioneered the art of painting nature through music with his blazingly original Four Seasons. Concertmaster Robert Chen …
Five-time Grammy-nominated children’s-music songwriter Justin Roberts joins conductor Andrew Grams and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for an engaging investigation of the timbres and techniques that make each instrument …
More than a pianist, Hayato Sumino is a phenomenon. Known on YouTube as “Cateen,” the Japanese musician has earned tens of millions of views for his captivating interpretations …
Mozart’s Requiem was his great send-off to the world — a work of plaintive, yet darkly radiant beauty, left unfinished on his deathbed in 1791. In Mozart’s hands, …
A young Viking named Hiccup defies tradition when he befriends a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless, and together, these unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save …
For six centuries, the child musicians of the Vienna Boys Choir have been enthralling the world with their lively singing style and purity of tone. With members hailing …
The Elysian Trio explores the richly expressive world of clarinet, cello and piano trios. From the balanced textures of Beethoven and the lyrical warmth of Bruch to the …
Richard Strauss brings humor and charm to Till Eulenspiegel, a lively portrait of the mischievous prankster. Brahms never revealed a story behind his Third Symphony, but its four movements …
A young duckling is teased for being different. After facing loneliness and other struggles, the duckling matures into a stunning swan, realizing true beauty comes from within. Explore …
“The one Christmas concert to rule them all” (12/), Chanticleer’s signature holiday program returns to Orchestra Hall. The Grammy Award-winning men’s chorus presents an evening of joyous carols, …
A work of dark, searching grandeur, Prokofiev’s Fourth Symphony gathers sumptuous themes from his ballet music, revised in the postwar shadow of Stalin’s Russia. Britten’s Violin Concerto, a …
This true holiday favorite features John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by members of the CSO. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old …
Celebrated around the world for its mighty sound and razor-sharp precision, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra brass section presents its annual December spectacular. CSO trombone Michael Mulcahy conducts a …
Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä leads Beethoven’s buoyant Seventh Symphony — always a thrill to hear live — alongside two contemporary works inspired by Beethoven. Yunchan Lim, …
There’s nothing like hearing holiday music played by a world-renowned orchestra and chorus. Head to Orchestra Hall — decked in boughs of holly — for a program of …
Hailed as one of the greatest films of all time, Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi epic 2001: A Space Odyssey — renowned for its stunning visuals and groundbreaking use of classical music …
Mexico’s leading orchestra, the Sinfónica de Minería, makes its Symphony Center debut led by Carlos Miguel Prieto, a conductor praised for his “extraordinary ferocity and drive” (The Guardian). Revueltas’ …
Join pianist and polymath Kirill Gerstein for a program exploring Liszt and Brahms, two Romantic-era luminaries. Celebrated for his “insightful, boldly projected playing” (Chicago Classical Review), Gerstein opens …
Over a misty landscape of storybook castles and deeply carved valleys, a solitary horn calls out at dawn. Bruckner’s Romantic Symphony begins its four-movement journey, encompassing birdsong, forest dances and …
Embark on a thrilling voyage over two striking visions of the ocean — Debussy’s ravishing La mer and Gabriella Smith’s showpiece for cello, Lost Coast. Inspired by a hiking trip along …
José James presents the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s I Want You with special guest Lizz Wright
A soulful tribute, decades of inspiration
Marvin Gaye’s I Want You shaped the music of …
Renowned mezzo-soprano and 2025/26 CSO Artist-in-Residence Joyce DiDonato takes center stage in Emily, an extraordinary collaboration with the classical-roots string trio Time For Three. Together, they bring to life …
Sensational teen Himari illuminates Bruch’s First Violin Concerto in her CSO subscription debut. Blacknificent 7 composer Joel Thompson’s To See the Sky, “a shifting palette of grooves, colors and …
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 …
Marc-André Hamelin, a pianist celebrated for his astonishing technique and profound musicality, explores the music of two restless visionaries: Ives, whose Concord Sonata salutes Transcendentalist thinkers from Emerson to Thoreau, …
Direct from Argentina, Tango After Dark ignites the stage with the captivating artistry of tango. Led by World Tango Champion Germán Cornejo, a stellar cast of dancers, singers …
Led by Klaus Mäkelä, the CSO presents one of the most electrifying and revolutionary works in the orchestral repertoire: Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Included in this showcase of …
When four farm animals are no longer needed, they set off for the town of Bremen, dreaming of becoming musicians. On the way, they discover a house full …
“The matchless musicianship and charisma” of legendary violinist Pinchas Zukerman, acclaimed cellist Amanda Forsyth and celebrated pianist Michael Stephen Brown creates “a trio made in heaven” (Limelight). Higdon’s Pale …
Join Benjamin Grosvenor for a fascinating program of fantasies and sonatas spanning the 19th century. Beethoven’s dreamlike Moonlight Sonata is followed by Robert Schumann’s mighty C Major Fantasy, dedicated to …
Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša leads selections from Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, a satirical slice-of-life opera set in a Bohemian village and filled with soaring tunes and folkloric color. Leif …
Fresh energy, genre-blending music
A driving force within the U.K. jazz scene, tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia effortlessly weaves rich layers of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, dub, spiritual jazz and electronic textures …
In a hallmark of his partnership with the CSO, Riccardo Muti takes center stage to conduct selections from Verdi’s enthralling, passion-filled operas. The program also features a lineup …
Conductor Mei-Ann Chen and members of the CSO embark on a musical exploration of air, fire and water. Journey through a musical depiction of the elements that help …
Curated by Sukanya and Anoushka Shankar, the Ravi Shankar Ensemble is a multi-generational collective dedicated to presenting Ravi Shankar’s masterful compositions and preserving the rich traditions of North …
The Winter Quartet brings together three distinct 20th-century voices in a program charged with intensity and atmosphere. Thorvaldsdottir’s transformative energy, Schulhoff’s sharp wit and Bartók’s somber voice unfold …
Experience the sweeping elegance of Tchaikovsky’s Polish Symphony, a work brimming with dance-like vitality and imperial grandeur. Riccardo Muti and the CSO also delve into the evocative world of Nino …
Miles Davis at 100
Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba — hailed as “among the most accomplished jazz pianists in the world today,” with “colossal technique and an unfettered musical imagination” …
“How many musicians evoke the larger questions of life, about existence or a greater power, while they’re playing, as Ma?” (San Francisco Classical Voice).
No conductor. No orchestra. Just …
With its evocation of snowy northern landscapes and an unforgettable, triumphant finale, Sibelius’ Second Symphony stands as an emblem of Finland’s nationalist spirit. The program begins with Brahms’ …
Why are we here, and what comes next? Throughout time, humans have wrestled with these questions, resulting in compositions like Richard Strauss’ radiant swan song, Rachmaninov’s haunting depiction …
In this rare orchestral outing, Evgeny Kissin, “a deeply intuitive and sensitive musician” (The New York Times), takes on spirited and brilliant concertos by three of his Russian …
Dubbed “the John Williams of Japan” by Pitchfork, Joe Hisaishi is one of the most celebrated composers of our time. He is especially known for his acclaimed symphonic works …
Superstar pianist Yuja Wang showcases her extraordinary versatility as both soloist and conductor, leading the Mahler Chamber Orchestra from the keyboard. The program features Chopin’s radiant Piano Concerto …
“With desire and passion,” Tchaikovsky writes on the score of his Fifth Symphony, and he’s as good as his word: It’s a work teeming with brilliant orchestral colors, …
The Magic Box: Music inspired by the Chicago bassist Fred Hopkins
Drummer-composer Mike Reed explores the legacy of Chicago bassist and AACM member Fred Hopkins with new works, including …
2025/26 CSO Artist-in-Residence Joyce DiDonato is “a supreme artist, as much through sheer triumph of spirit as through musicianship” (Financial Times). The esteemed mezzo-soprano sings the Neruda Songs, Peter …
Join legendary singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, members of the CSO and special guests for a joyful singalong with Mother Goose. This captivating program features traditional nursery rhymes adapted by …
Following her sold-out Symphony Center debut, Samara Joy returns to join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening spotlighting her singular voice and charisma. As a five-time …
Juraj Valčuha conducts three works that are distinctively French in their refinement, charm and ingenuity. Ravel’s “five children’s pieces” brim with delight and affection while Poulenc’s Gloria evokes, in his …
A piano sensation since his arrival on the international scene in the 1980s, Evgeny Kissin returns with a spectacular, eras-spanning recital. Beethoven’s revolutionary Piano Sonata No. 7 pairs …
Tempora mutantur — the nickname of Haydn’s Symphony No. 64 — takes its name from the Latin adage, “The times change, and we change with them.” Inspired by this …
“Hahn’s superpowers were on display from the first ascending octaves through the final chords” (San Francisco Classical Voice).
Having embraced Chicago and its musical life during her three years …
Brahms’ First Piano Concerto awes with its grand scale, intense passion and unabashedly dramatic piano writing — the ideal showcase for Martin Helmchen, “who brings both freshness and …
Timeless jazz, acclaimed ensemble
The legendary Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and its trailblazing leader Wynton Marsalis return to Symphony Center, their home in Chicago. “Technically precise and emotionally …
Jazz, blues and orchestral sounds converge in a rousing celebration of the American story. The CSO joins forces with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for Liberty (Symphony No. 5), …
In his 2023 CSO subscription debut, Conrad Tao gave a “dazzling, staggering” performance of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, wrote the Chicago Tribune, in which Tao “carried his melodies …
Adding his trademark whimsical storytelling, instrumental virtuosity and ever-present sense of humor to Symphony Center’s America 250 tribute, Grammy Award-winning mandolinist Chris Thile returns for his second appearance …
As part of the CSO’s tribute to 250 years of American history, Jean-Yves Thibaudet takes on the extravagant, jazz-infused piano solo in Leonard Bernstein’s The Age of Anxiety, based …
As part of Symphony Center’s tribute to America’s 250th anniversary, the renowned CSO Brass Quintet presents a program highlighting the power and pageantry of brass music. From Ives’ …
In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary with a powerful program spanning multiple generations of American composers. Works by Copland and former Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery present soaring reflections …
Celebrate the legendary collaboration between composer John Williams and filmmaker Steven Spielberg as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra brings to life some of cinema’s most iconic music. From Jurassic Park and Jaws to Indiana …
Embark on an epic adventure to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: A New Hope! Experience the iconic film like never before as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra …
Chicago IL 60604