By Jonathan Abarbanel
'Put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon, all I want is loving you and music, music, music.'
Lyric Opera of Chicago got off to a good start in mid-September, and closed the month with some very good news indeed: the return of Lyric Opera opening night radio broadcasts to a national audience via satellite. A new union contract has opened the door for radio after a hiatus of three years. Lyric Opera will be back on the air in November.
The other big musical show in town, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, had its gala season opening on Sept. 30 at Symphony Center ( although the CSO and the hall warmed up with several free-to-the-public events earlier in the month ) . The 2006-2007 season will feature a series of distinguished guest conductors as the Orchestral Association continues its search for a new musical director to succeed Daniel Barenboim. In October, for example, Bernard Haitink and Paavo Jarvi are among the celebrated maestros who will lead the CSO.
When we talk about the CSO or Symphony Center, we're really talking about a broad spectrum of programming that includes jazz, piano, chamber music, recital and even family-friendly concerts in addition to the symphonic repertory. For instance, lovers of chamber music can look forward to a rich October. Pianist Emanuel Ax appears at Symphony Center on Oct. 11 in an all-Mozart program with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra as part of the LaSalle Bank Chamber Series. The LaSalle Bank series brings the stellar trio of pianist Yefim Bronfman, violinist Gil Shaham and cellist Truls Mork to Symphony Center on Oct. 25 for a program of Mozart, Shostakovich and Schubert. 312-294-3000; $18-$49.
Before that, on Oct. 22, the Chicago Symphony String Quartet plus guest instrumentalists on flute, clarinet, harp and piano appear at the Art Institute of Chicago Chamber Music Series, in Fullerton Auditorium at the Art Institute. The quartet features CSO concertmaster Samuel Magad, who has announced he will retire in January after 48 years with the orchestra, beginning under Fritz Reiner, and an unprecedented 35 years as concertmaster. A distinguished soloist, teacher and conductor, Magad also is founder of the award-winning Northbrook Symphony Orchestra. His contributions to Chicago musical life have been extraordinary. 312-294-3000; $23 ( a deal ) .
One of Chicago's other notable orchestras, the Chicago Sinfonietta also opened its season recently, with Oct. 1-2 concerts highlighting the world premiere of Concertino for Cell Phones and Orchestra by David Baker. This is the 20th-anniversary season for the Chicago Sinfonietta, one of the nation's most ethnically and racially diverse orchestras.
Chicago's Newberry Consort, the early music specialists with a large and enthusiastic following, take their act to Milwaukee on Oct. 7 to open the 2006-2007 season of Early Music Now. The evening program is at the Helene Zelazo Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. If you don't know your krumhorn from a flageolet, or if you think an hautboy is a haughty twin, this is the concert for you. Or maybe not. 877-546-8742; $28-$35.
On the other hand, if you like your classical gas with just a pinch of pop or even a ripple of rock, there are two October events that might be right up your alley. A group called Barrage appears in matinee and evening concerts at the Paramount Theatre, Aurora, on Oct. 7. Barrage is a troupe of young violinists with rock 'n' roll looks who take their fiddling to athletic heights, accompanied by a drummer, bass, guitar and vocals. We're not sure what they play—they claim world-music influences—but they do it with high-octane choreography and dazzling energy. 630-896-6666; $30.50-$40.50.
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs continues its Sunday Salon Series of innovative musical performances through December 2006. The concerts generally are at 3 p.m. under the Tiffany stained-glass dome in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Admission is free but the Sunday Salon Series is quite popular and the hall fills up quickly. Coming up this month: the New Millennium Orchestra, Oct. 8, in works by Barber, Shostakovich and Schubert; Early Music Chicago Showcase, Oct. 15, a sampler of vocal and instrumental selections by several different ensembles; eighth blackbird ( sic ) , Oct. 22, a lauded new music ensemble in works of the late 20th and early 21st centuries; and the Chicago Latino Composers Series: Peace and War, Oct. 29, featuring works by Ricardo Lorenz, Gusatvo Leone and Elbio Barilari.
Finally, Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis has become an international star and sex symbol by combining smoldering good looks, an operatic voice and pop sensibilities. He makes his Chicago debut Oct. 9 at Symphony Center to benefit Chicago's Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. Considered one of the most successful of classical crossover artists, Frangoulis sings in Greek, English, Spanish and Italian. All the most sensuous languages, you know, except for English and minus French. He will be accompanied by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 866-468-3401; $30-$200.
