HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman today announced the not-forprofit festival's complete 2019 summer lineup—more than 140 events from May 31 through Sept. 15— boasting more than 70 artist debuts and 50 festival premieres, including Ravinia's co-commissioning of the last composition of the late Andrew Previn, a one-act for Renee Fleming. Nine conductors take the podium for the 84th annual residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, including Marin Alsop, who is returning as curator of Ravinia's multi-season celebration of Leonard Bernstein. The CSO residency began in 1936, although the orchestra has performed at Ravinia regularly since 1905, and the long-term contract in the enviable history of the two organizations assures CSO performances through 2026. This year's residency ranges from a command encore presentation of Bernstein's Mass, with more than 200 artists on stage, to the 35th anniversary of the film Ghostbusters, with the score conducted by the son of the film's composer, to Chicago's own Jennifer Hudson, headlining the annual gala in support of Ravinia's Reach Teach Play education programs.
The Bernstein celebration also features Ravinia's first full presentations of the music theater works Candide and Trouble in Tahiti, RSMI singers and local poets in the U.S. Bicentennial masterpiece Songfest, and the CSO performing the scores for West Side Story and On the Waterfront live with the films. To honor the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which put the gay community on the road to equal rights, Ravinia will present a reprise of Considering Matthew Shepard, which, like Mass, landed on the Chicago Tribune's list of the 10 best concerts of 2018. Nonclassical debuts include Lionel Richie in backto-back "All the Hits" concerts, Morrissey, Queen Latifah with Common ( in his second visit ), Lake Street Dive and The Wood Brothers ( in their second visit ); T.I., and Kesha. Country music looms large with the Ravinia debut of Lady Antebellum and the returns of Little Big Town and Sugarland. Three of the fastest-selling artists in Ravinia history—Sting, Josh Groban, and Pentatonix—return to the Pavilion, as do Rob Thomas, John Prine, O.A.R. with American Authors, Maxwell, Ringo Starr and The Beach Boys, and Tony Bennett in his 40th Ravinia concert. Ravinia will also open a new multi-use building that includes the RaviniaMusicBox Experience Center that boasts an immersive theater and museum gallery. On the rooftop of the building will be a new gathering place, the BMO Club.
Tickets are available to donors as early as March 19. Tickets will go on sale to the public on May 7 for May, June, and July concerts and May 8 for August and September concerts, exclusively at Ravinia.org .
"We recall Bernstein as America's Music Teacher, not because he wanted to train us all to be Ramsey Lewis or Marin Alsop, but because he wanted us to understand how to enjoy music and why it's important to incorporate it into our daily lives," Kauffman said. "In that regard, Ravinia picks up the maestro's mantle, showcasing the many different styles of music the world offers in an inviting, yet exciting, environment that embraces and evolves as styles change, but that still connects us to the core of what makes a classic a classic, whether it's from Beethoven or Queen Latifah. Our new Experience Center is a grand experiment that will expedite this evolution, encouraging our audiences to try out music that may be new and different for them."
The entire 2019 season will be dedicated to legendary Chicago businessman and philanthropist Harrison Steans, who died Feb. 26. Since 1980, Steans has served as a Ravinia Trustee, then a Life Trustee. He also cherished his role as the only male on Ravinia's Women's Board, an honor granted for his support of that volunteer organization in Ravinia's centennial year. He was instrumental in the creation of Ravinia's Steans Music Institute, the on-campus summer conservatory that provides 60 fully funded fellowships each year to the best young professional musicians from around the world.
Schedule
Friday, May 31, the Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Ramsey Lewis & Urban Knights
Philip Bailey
John Pizzarelli Trio
Anne Hampton Callaway
Saturday, June 1, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101, BGH Classics series, and the Ruth Page Festival of Dance present
Concert Dance Inc.
James Morehead ( piano )
Welz Kauffman ( piano )
Saturday, June 1, the Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Tash Sultana
Pierce Brothers
Saturday, June 2, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 4 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101, BGH Classics series, and the Ruth Page Festival of Dance present
Concert Dance Inc.
James Morehead ( piano )
Welz Kauffman ( piano )
Thursday, June 6, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Rob Thomas
Abby Anderson
Friday, June 7, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute present
Avalon String Quartet
Greg Ward ( saxophone )
Glenn Zaleski ( piano )
Dan Chmielinski ( bass )
Robert Boone Jr. ( drums )
Friday, June 7, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Josh Groban
Saturday, June 8, Martin Theatre, 11 a.m.
Kids Concert series presents
Vy Higgensen's Sing Harlem Choir
Saturday, June 8, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute and Master Class present
John Patitucci ( bass )
RSMI Program for Jazz
Saturday, June 8, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
John Patitucci ( bass )
Harlem Quartet
Saturday, June 8, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
John Prine
Tyler Childers
Sunday, June 9, the Pavilion, 5 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Bobby McFerrin & the SpiritYouAllBand
Chicago Children's Choir
Sunday, June 9, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Billy Childs Jazz-Chamber Ensemble
Avalon String Quartet
Tuesday, June 11, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Lionel Richie
Wednesday, June 12, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Lionel Richie
Thursday, June 13, the Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Lake Street Dive
The Wood Brothers
Friday, June 14, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute present
RSMI Program for Jazz
Friday, June 14, the Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.
Buddy Guy
Blues Traveler
Shemekia Copeland
Saturday, June 15, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Lincoln Trio
Sunday, June 16, Martin Theatre, noon
Kids Concert series presents
Ko-Thi Dance Company
Tuesday, June 18, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Stile Antico
Wednesday, June 19, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Juilliard String Quartet
Thursday, June 20, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Caroga Arts Ensemble
With poets Kevin Coval, Patricia Frazier, and Jacob Senz
Friday, June 21, the Pavilion, 8:30 p.m.
Tony Bennett
Antonia Bennett
Saturday, June 22, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Kids Concert series presents
Catskill Puppet Theater
Wednesday, June 26, the Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Kids Concert series presents
The Stars of the Peking Acrobats
Thursday, June 27, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Miriam Fried ( violin )
Pamela Frank ( violin )
Kim Kashkashian ( viola )
Paul Biss ( viola )
Marcy Rosen ( cello )
Gilbert Kalish ( piano )
Friday, June 28, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Little Big Town
Jillian Jacqueline
Saturday, June 29, Martin Theatre, noon
Kids Concert series presents
Atlanta Drum Academy
Saturday, June 29, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Counting Crows
Sunday, June 30, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Sugarland
Monday, July 1, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Steve Miller Band
Matt Andersen
Tuesday, July 2, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Tuesday, July 2, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
T.I.
Wednesday, July 3, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute and Master Class present
Robert Levin ( piano )
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Wednesday, July 3, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Stonewall 50 presents
Fred Hersch ( jazz piano )
Friday, July 5, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Saturday, July 6, the Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Michael McDonald
Chaka Khan
Sunday, July 7, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
The Music of Queen
Ravinia Festival Orchestra ( conductor Brent Havens )
Brody Dolyniuk ( vocalist )
Monday, July 8, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute present
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Tuesday, July 9, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Maxwell
Wednesday, July 10, off-site, at the Chicago Cultural Center, noon
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Dame Myra Hess Concert
Wednesday, July 10, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Lady Antebellum
Thursday, July 11, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Friday, July 12, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute and Master Class present
Mihaela Martin ( violin )
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Friday, July 12, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor David Newman ) performs West Side Story ( film with orchestra )
Preconcert discussion with WGN entertainment critic Dean Richards
Saturday, July 13, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Saturday, July 13, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Lionel Bringuier )
Jean-Yves Thibaudet ( piano )
Sunday, July 14, the Pavilion, 6 p.m.
Gala benefit for Reach Teach Play
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor George Hanson )
Jennifer Hudson ( vocals )
Monday, July 15, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute present
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Monday, July 15, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Well-Strung
Wednesday, July 17, off-site, at the Chicago Cultural Center, noon
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Thursday, July 18, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute and Master Class present
Timothy Eddy ( cello )
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Friday, July 19, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Saturday, July 20, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Saturday, July 20, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Marin Alsop and stage director Kevin Newbury )
Paulo Szot ( baritone )
Chicago Children's Choir
Vocality
Highland Park High School Marching Band
Sunday, July 21, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Peter Bernstein )
Ghostbusters 35th anniversary ( film with orchestra )
Preconcert discussion with WGN entertainment critic Dean Richards
Monday, July 22, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute present
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Monday, July 22, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Gautier Capucon ( cello )
Jean-Yves Thibaudet ( piano )
Tuesday, July 23, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Lyle Lovett & His Large Band
Wednesday, July 24, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Thursday, July 25, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Richard Goode ( piano )
Friday, July 26, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Friday, July 26, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Marin Alsop )
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
Chicago Children's Choir
Angela Meade ( soprano I )
Leah Crocetto ( soprano II )
Joelle Harvey ( soprano III )
Michelle DeYoung ( mezzo-soprano I )
Kelley O'Connor ( mezzo-soprano II )
Joseph Kaiser ( tenor )
Paulo Szot ( baritone )
Ryan Speedo Green ( bass )
Saturday, July 27, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Piano and Strings
Saturday, July 27, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Marin Alsop )
Jamie Bernstein ( narrator )
Andre Watts ( piano )
Michelle DeYoung ( mezzo-soprano )
Paulo Szot ( baritone )
Sunday, July 28, Martin Theatre, 4 p.m.
Renee Fleming ( soprano )
Emerson String Quartet
Sunday, July 28, the Pavilion, 8:30 p.m.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Ravinia Festival Orchestra ( conductor Eric Roth )
Monday, July 29, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Spider Saloff
Tribute to Rosemary Clooney
Monday, July 29, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Matthias Goerne ( baritone )
Daniil Trifonov ( piano )
Tuesday, July 30, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Marisol Montalvo ( soprano )
William Hobbs ( piano )
Performing Jeffery Roberson's Mad Scene
Tuesday, July 30, the Pavilion, 8:30 p.m.
ABBA the concert ( a tribute to ABBA )
Wednesday, July 31, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute and Master Class present
RSMI Program for Singers ( Gerald Martin Moore, voice teacher )
Wednesday, July 31, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Thursday, August 1, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Rafael Payare )
Yefim Bronfman ( piano )
Friday, August 2, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Rafael Payare )
Emauel Ax ( piano )
Saturday, August 3, the Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
Beach Boys
Sunday, August 4, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Singers
French Classic Songs
Sunday, August 4, the Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
Beach Boys
Tuesday, August 6, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Jennifer Johnson Cano ( mezzo-soprano )
Matthew Polezani ( tenor )
Three soloists from RSMI Program for Singers
Kevin Murphy ( piano )
Wednesday, August 7, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Leonard Slatkin )
Dennis Matsuev ( piano )
Thursday, August 8, Matin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Angel Blue ( soprano )
Catherine Miller ( piano )
Friday, August 9, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute and Master Class present
Angel Blue ( soprano )
RSMI Program for Singers
Friday, August 9, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor David Newman )
On the Waterfront ( film with orchestra )
Saturday, August 10, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago
Sunday, August 11, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Singers
Classic Songs From Around the World
Sunday, August 11, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago
Monday, August 12, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Sarah McLachlan with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra ( conductor Sean O'Loughlin )
Tuesday, August 13, the Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.
Nickelback
Wednesday, August 14, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
Ravinia's Steans Music Institute presents
RSMI Program for Singers
German Classic Songs
Wednesday, August 14, the Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.
Nickelback
Thursday, August 15, the Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.
Pentatonix
Rachel Platten
Friday, August 16, the Pavilion, 8:30 p.m.
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Long Yu )
Alisa Weilerstein ( cello )
Saturday, August 17, the Pavilion, 11 a.m.
Kids Concert series presents
Laurie Berkner
Saturday, August 17, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute present
RSMI Program for Singers
Folk Songs From Around the World
Saturday, August 17, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Krzysztof Urbanski )
Itzhak Perlman ( violin )
Sunday, August 18, the Pavilion, 5 p.m.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( conductor Itzhak Perlman )
Kian Soltani ( cello )
Monday, August 19, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Lucerne Symphony Orchestra ( conductor James Gaffigan )
Anne Akiko Meyers ( violin )
Tuesday, August 20, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute present
RSMI Program for Singers
Amy Burton ( soprano )
John Musto ( piano and composer )
American Classic Songs
Tuesday, August 20, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Lucerne Symphony Orchestra ( conductor James Gaffigan )
George Li ( piano )
Wednesday, August 21, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Philippe Quint ( violin )
Marta Aznavoorian ( piano )
A musical celebration of Charlie Chaplin
Thursday, August 22, Martin Theatre, 5 and 8:30 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
Chicago Philharmonic ( conductor Marin Alsop )
Patricia Racette ( soprano )
Paulo Szot ( baritone )
Michelle Areyzaga ( soprano )
Nathaniel Olson ( baritone )
Performing Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti
Friday, August 23, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Sting
Saturday, August 24, Martin Theatre, noon
Kids Concert series presents
Opera for the Young
Super Storm
Saturday, August 24, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Marie-Ange Nguci ( piano )
Saturday, August 24, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Sting
Monday, August 26, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
The Knights ( conductor Eric Jacobsen )
Gil Shaham ( violin )
Wednesday, August 28, the Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Leonard Bernstein 101 presents
The Knights ( conductor Eric Jacobsen )
Miles Mykkanen ( tenor )
Alison Moritz ( stage director )
Evan Jones ( baritone )
Sharleen Joynt ( soprano )
Margaret Gawrysiak ( mezzo-soprano )
Alex Mansoori ( tenor )
Gabriel Preisser ( baritone )
Samantha Barnes Daniel ( soprano )
Courtney Lopes ( dancer )
Thursday, August 29, the Pavilion, 8:30 p.m.
Michael Feinstein
Christine Ebersole
Friday, August 30, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Jory Vinikour ( harpsichord )
Friday, August 30, the Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.
O.A.R.
American Authors
Rozzi
Saturday, August 31, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 2 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Dan Tepfer ( piano )
Saturday, August 31, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 5 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Dan Tepfer ( jazz piano )
Miguel Zenon ( jazz saxophone )
Saturday, August 31, the Pavilion, 6 p.m.
Queen Latifah
Common
Sunday, September 1, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Steely Dan
Monday, September 2, Bennett-Gordon Hall, noon
Kids Concert series presents
Mames Babegenush
Monday, September 2, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Mames Babegenush
Monday, September 2, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Steely Dan
Saturday, September 7, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Yevgeny Kutik ( violin )
Randall Hodgkinson ( piano )
Sunday, September 8, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series and Leonard Bernstein 101 present
Alon Goldstein ( piano )
Sunday, September 8, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Kesha
Tuesday, September 10, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 6 p.m.
BGH Classics series presents
Francesca Dego ( violin )
Francesca Leonardi ( piano )
Tuesday, September 10, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Sir James Galway ( flute )
Lady Jeanne Galway ( flute )
Members of the Aizuri Quartet
Welz Kauffman ( piano )
Thursday, September 12, Martin Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Stonewall 50 presents
Conspirare ( conductor and artistic director Craig Hella Johnson )
Saturday, September 14, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m.
Kids Concert series presents
The Performer's School
Cinderella
Saturday, September 14, the Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
Morrissey
Sunday, September 15, Bennett-Gordon Hall, 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m.
Kids Concert series presents
The Performer's School
Cinderella
Sunday, September 15, Bennett-Gordon Hall, Martin Theatre, and the Pavilion, 2 p.m.
Fiesta Ravinia
Daylong celebration of Mexican culture
Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band performing West Side Story reimagined ( Martin Theatre )
Chicago Philharmonic ( conductor Thiago Tiberio ), Coco ( film with orchestra at the Pavilion, 6 p.m. )
For ticket information, visit Ravinia.org or call 847-266-5100.
—From press releases
