The summer seasons at the Big Two festivals—Grant Park and Ravinia—are well underway, but they aren't the only classical music shows in town. In the next couple of weeks, serious music lovers might consider the following.
American Guild of Organists Gala Concert—Symphony Center, July 2, 7:30 p.m. Accompanied by orchestra, several of the world's top organists gather for a celebration of their complex art form, among them Chicago's own celebrated David Schrader. Others performing include Phillipe Belanger, Thierry Escaich and Maxine Thevenot. You know the old joke: 'What's better than roses on the piano? Tulips on the organ.' If you don't get it ( a ) you probably aren't gay and ( b ) say it out loud slowly. 312-294-3000; $25 ( a good deal ) .
Chamber Music at the Chicago Cultural Center—Chicago's own Department of Cultural Affairs continues to present FREE weekly one-hour chamber music concerts at 12:15 p.m. in Preston Bradley Hall. Due to the holiday, the first two July programs will be on Mondays, but then the regular Wednesday Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts will resume. Until then, the Quintet Attacca performs works by Nestor Piazzolla and others on July 2, while the Chicago Chamber Players offer piano and clarinet duets on July 9.
Chicago Folk and Roots Festival—OK, so this one is traditional music rather than classical music. Then again, Pete Seeger famously plays Beethoven's Ode to Joy on his banjo. In any case, this is the 10th anniversary of this annual two-day, all-day event presented by the Old Town School of Folk Music ( itself 50 years old this year ) . In addition to non-stop musical entertainment embracing folk traditions from around the world, there also will be West African dance, yoga, salsa, Cajun dance lessons, cooking demos, food and drink, a kid's tent, etc. July 14 and 15, 12 p.m.-10 p.m., Welles Park, 4400 N. Lincoln; $7.00.
La Boheme—A fully staged production of the Puccini favorite about struggling young artists in 19th-century Paris is the summer offering by the DuPage Opera Theatre at the always-busy McAninch Arts Center ( the MAC ) at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Kirk Muspratt is the conductor. July 20 and 21, 8 p.m.; 630-942-4000; $33-$43.
And, of course, we don't want to ignore completely some of the highlights at Grant Park and Ravinia, especially since both offer—indeed, encourage—picnics with wine and couples sharing blankets together ... if that's your idea of a good time.
Pinchas Zukerman with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—Ravinia musical director James Conlon leads the CSO and the great violin virtuoso in a program of Mozart and Mahler. July 6, 8 p.m., Ravinia Festival Pavilion; 847-266-5100; $10-$60.
The Devil's Fiddler—Sounds like the name of an old Johnny Cash song, but it's actually one Roby Lakatos, a somewhat-exotic looking gent who's violin virtuosity covers jazz improvisation, gypsy music and classical. In his concert with the Grant Park Orchestra, Lakatos will offer some selections by film composer John Williams, but also gypsy-inspired classics by Brahms ( his Hungarian Dances ) and Enescu. July 11, 6:30 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, free.
Lang Lang and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—The sexy young Asian pianist Lang Lang has revived the Yellow River Concerto, a somewhat-kitschy but orchestrally colorful work, created in early 1970s China under the patronage of Madame Mao Zedong ( Chiang Ching ) . For this concert, the CSO is under the baton of Long Yu, and also will offer selections by Tchaikovsky and Mozart. July 17, 8 p.m., Ravinia Festival Pavilion; 847-266-5100; $10-$75.
James Galway—One of the most delightful of all platform performers—someone who actually talks to his audience—is flutist Sir James Galway, who presents a recital program in the intimate Martin Theatre. You can hear the recital out on the lawn for $10, but buy the more expensive tickets for this one so you can sit inside and actually see Galway. July 24, 8 p.m., Ravinia Festival Martin Theatre; 847-266-5100; $10-$50.
Bernstein's Broadway—OK, this is the one all Chicago's musical comedy queens should be lining up to see. The Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, plus Broadway star soloists, present a staged concert of songs and music by the bisexual composer of On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide and West Side Story. Chicago's own Gary Griffin is the director, and former Chicagoan Kevin Stites returns as conductor. July 20 ( 6:30 p.m. ) and July 21 ( 7:30 p.m. ) , Pritzker Pavilion, free.
Finally, Jerry Springer—The Opera has been extended at Bailiwick Repertory through Aug. 19 in the mainstage theatre. Truly an opera, and also a bit of a Broadway musical, it's a shockingly funny show that's received ecstatic reviews by all media. The original cast and very big production will remain intact for the extended run. 773-883-1090; $25-$40.
