Press Room

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, its Board of Trustees, and President Deborah Rutter are pleased to extend their warmest and most heartfelt congratulations to CSO Music Director Riccardo Muti on the occasion of being named Honorary Director for Life by the Rome Opera in his native Italy.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra announces that violinist Arnold Brostoff and trombonist James Gilbertsen, members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 47 years and 43 years, respectively, have retired from the Orchestra. An onstage retirement ceremony for each is planned for later this season.

Concert information and descriptions for Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Center Presents and Civic Orchestra of Chicago performances.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) world-renowned brass section is featured on Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Live,  the newest release by the Orchestra’s award-winning record label, CSO Resound.

Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra announce the appointments of two new musicians to the CSO roster: violinist Stephanie Jeong has been named associate concertmaster and clarinetist Stephen Williamson has been named principal clarinet. These two appointments mark Maestro Muti’s first since becoming the CSO’s music director in 2010; he also appointed the CSO’s second oboe in 2009 when serving as music director designate.

CSO’s 28th European Tour Includes Performances in Salzburg, Lucerne, Luxembourg, Paris, Dresden and Vienna. Follow the Orchestra Online at cso.org/Europe2011.

Presented by the Women's Board of the CSOA, the Symphony Ball features pianist Yefim Bronfman as soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Riccardo Muti.

The Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s training orchestra for young, pre-professional musicians, has announced its 2011/12 series of free orchestral and chamber music performances at Symphony Center and in neighborhoods throughout Chicago.

Tickets for all CSO concerts as well as all Symphony Center Presents classical, jazz, contemporary and world music concerts go on sale August 12. Program updates and new concerts announced as well.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Apostolic Church of God have collaborated to announce that the CSO’s season-opening free community concert will take place at the church, located at 6320 S. Dorchester Ave. in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. The free concert—which is open to all and will be led by CSO Music Director Riccardo Muti—takes place on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) make their second overseas tour together since Maestro Muti became the Orchestra’s music director in September 2010, visiting Russia and Italy from April 15 – 28, 2012. Tour performances are scheduled in Moscow at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory; at the Great Hall of the Philharmonia in St. Petersburg; and in Italy at the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome, the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, the Teatro Grande in Brescia, and at the Palazzo Mauro De André in Ravenna.

From August 22 to September 7, 2011, Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) take their first European tour together since Maestro Muti became the Orchestra’s music director in September 2010. Tour performances are scheduled in Salzburg, Austria at the Salzburg Festival; Lucerne, Switzerland at the Lucerne Festival; Luxembourg at the Philharmonie; Paris at the Salle Pleyel; Dresden at the Semperoper; and Vienna at the world-renowned Musikverein.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) has announced programming for the 2011/12 season, the Orchestra’s 121st season and Riccardo Muti’s second season as the 10th music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Continuing to support Maestro Muti’s vision for the CSO, 2011/12 offers more than 200 events across the Chicago Symphony Orchestra subscription series, Symphony Center Presents series, and programs of the Institute for Learning, Access, and Training.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus’ recording of Verdi's Messa da Requiem, led by Music Director Riccardo Muti on the Orchestra’s own CSO Resound label, was awarded two Grammy Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences at the 53rd annual awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13, 2011. The recording of Verdi’s Requiem won Best Classical Album and Best Choral Performance.