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McKnight Center for the Performing Arts on the OSU campus lights up the night sky before the CSO’s debut in Stillwater.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
After four concerts last week on their 2023 North American Tour, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Riccardo Muti made their way to east to Stillwater, Oklahoma. The stop marked the CSO’s debut in Stillwater and its third over all in the Sooner State (with previous concerts there in 1903 and 1987).
The following day, musicians took some time off to relax, explore and socialize before the CSO made its debut performance at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, on the campus of Oklahoma State University. Built in 2019, the hall has a smaller, more intimate setting, with the last row of the balcony only 100 feet from the stage. That design allowed audience members to become truly enveloped in the CSO sound.
Earlier in the afternoon, in activities organized by the CSO’s Negaunee Music Institute, CSO musicians Esteban Batallán, David Cooper and Michael Mulcahy each led a master class with students at Oklahoma State University.
The tour’s first leg culminates with two concerts in Toronto, marking the orchestra’s first appearances there since 1914. After the CSO returns to Symphony Center for a few weeks, Muti joins them Feb. 23-25 in Chicago and then in Kansas City for a concert Feb. 26 with Julia Fischer in Schumann’s Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony. They wrap up their winter tour by traveling to Florida for four concerts from Feb. 28 to March 4.
Director of Operations Heidi Lukas and Principal Cello John Sharp prepare to board the bus before heading to Oklahoma.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO musicians and staff pass through TSA screening before boarding the charter flight to Stillwater Regional Airport.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
On the charter flight to Stillwater, violist Max Raimi signals that he's ready for take-off.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
After the flight lands in Stillwater, violist Lawrence Neuman and violinist Qing Hou head to the bus.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
As the sun sets over Stillwater, CSO musicians exit the aircraft upon arrival in Oklahoma.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
At the historic Atherton Hotel, Kevin Wiseman of TravTours welcomes the CSO to Stillwater.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Trombonist Michael Mulcahy leads a master class, arranged by the CSO's Negaunee Music Institute, with the trombone studio at the Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Trumpet Esteban Batallán coaches a student from the OSU Greenwood School of Music.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Assistant Principal Mark Ridenour and wife Linda mosey along the streets of Stillwater on a pleasant Saturday afternoon.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Near Oklahoma State, this piece of public art salutes the OSU Cowboys and the school's colors of orange and black.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Tuba Gene Pokorny squeezes in a bit of practice time at Stillwater’s McKnight Center for the Performing Arts.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Ross McKnight, the namesake of the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, reunites with Principal Horn David Cooper; they first met at the Bravo Vail! Festival when Cooper was then a member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Riccardo Muti greets the CSO cello section before the concert at the McKnight Center.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Riccardo Muti leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra during Mussorgsky’s "Pictures from an Exhibition."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO brass members — Assistant Principal Mark Ridenour, second trumpet John Hagstrom and Principal Esteban Batallán — zoom into view.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The camera captures the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from the back of the McKnight Center.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
For the encore, Riccardo Muti conducts the CSO in the Intermezzo from Act 3 of Puccini’s "Manon Lescaut."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
After the concert, Riccardo Muti stops for a group shot with OSU students and other young patrons.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Lights out! Stage tech Blair Carlson snuggles into her berth for the CSO's overnight ride to Iowa City.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
