A combination of classical music blended with pop and jazz leads the stellar Ravinia schedule this summer. The 2020 season of the Ravinia festival in Chicago boasts more than 120 events from May 30 through September 15, including the annual summer residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The cultural contributions of women will be a summer-long focus to mark the centennial of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Marin Alsop takes up her new position as Chief Conductor and Curator, leading the CSO in five concerts, including Legendary Women’s Voices gala starring Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo.
Making their debut at the Highland Park venue includes Ziggy Marley, King Crimson, The Zappa Band, Jesse & Joy, Black Violin, Ani DiFranco, Brian McKnight, Musiq Soulchild, and Dispatch. Returning favorites include Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Diana Ross, Trombone Shorty, The Roots, John Fogerty, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Jill Scott, Train, Gladys Knight, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. Jazz offerings include Trombone Shorty, Chick Corea, and Rubén Blades, Michael Feinstein and Betty Buckley, and the return of the great Tony Bennett.
One of the unique offerings of the 2020 season for the Ravinia festival in Chicago will be the National Museum of American Jewish History’s Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music, the first major exhibit on the Jewish identity of America’s most celebrated musician. Martin Theatre hosts Och & Oy—A Considered Cabaret with Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro. Ravinia’s popular “Movie with Orchestra” will feature the live-action Lion King with songs by Elton John and Tim Rice. Ravinia will also celebrate birthday milestones of Christoph Eschenbach, Itzhak Perlman, Bob Marley, Misha Dichter, Isaac Stern, Clara Schumann, and Beethoven.
Tickets go on sale to the public on April 28 for June and July concerts and April 29 for August and September concerts. It’s easy for city-goers to take the Union Pacific North line train to the concerts. Bring your own picnic or enjoy the fare from the restaurants. No matter what you do, you’re guaranteed a beautiful night under the stars. Check out the entire season lineup for the Ravinia festival in Chicago.
At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.
Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!
Featured Image Credit: Ravinia
