Riccardo Muti and the CSO take a bow during their opening-night gala concert at Carnegie Hall.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
This fall, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Riccardo Muti have served as the main attractions at not just one but two opening nights. First, back home at Symphony Center and then in New York City, where Muti and the CSO launched the 23-24 season at Carnegie Hall with a gala concert.
Arts journalists from across the United States and Europe turned out for the event Oct. 4, the first of two sold-out programs featuring the CSO and Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti. Joining them was star virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (in a reprise of his Symphony Ball performance Sept. 23). The Tchaikovsky favorite led off the concert, which was live-streamed by New York classical-music station WQXR, and was followed by Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition. Spotted in the opening-night crowd were arts luminaries such as mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, actor-director Liev Schreiber and actress Patricia Clarkson.
After the Mussorgsky, Muti addressed the audience and mentioned that the movement The Great Gates of Kiev has taken on added meaning, given the war in Ukraine. He added that he did not intend to be political and wanted to send concertgoers on their way with an encore from Giordani’s Fedora, an intermezzo based on the aria “Amor ti vieta” (the aria itself begins with the words “Love forbids you not to love”).
Muti and the CSO return for a second program Oct. 5 featuring Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, Strauss’ Aus Italien and the New York premiere of Philip Glass’ The Triumph of the Octagon, a CSO commission that he wrote and dedicated to Maestro Muti.
Patrons enter Carnegie Hall for the CSO’s sold-out performance, led by Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO Bass Daniel Carson warms up before the house opens for the evening’s concert.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The clarinet section warms up before the opening-night concert at Carnegie Hall.
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CSO violin Cornelius Chiu pauses before walking out onto the stage at Carnegie Hall.
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CSO violin Matous Michal is all smiles as he walks through the backstage area of Carnegie Hall.
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CSO violin Florence Schwartz smiles as she steps out on the Carnegie Hall stage.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Patrons enter Carnegie Hall before the opening-night concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Muti.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Leonidas Kavakos performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the CSO and Riccardo Muti.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO President Jeff Alexander and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Helen Zell enjoy the performance.
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Celebrities, including actress Patricia Clarkson (center), attend the gala opening-night concert.
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Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, currently starring in "Dead Man Walking" at the Met, applauds the CSO at Carnegie Hall.
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Actor-director Liev Schreiber, who plays Henry Kissinger in "Golda" (2023), applauds the CSO at Carnegie Hall.
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CSO Assistant Principal Violin Yuan-Qing Yu enjoys the concert from a different seat than her usual one onstage.
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CSO Principal Trumpet Esteban Batallán performs the opening solo in Mussorgsky's "Pictures from an Exhibition."
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The CSO bass section zooms into view during "Pictures from an Exhibition."
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Maestro Riccardo Muti turns to the violins during "Pictures from an Exhibition."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The entire orchestra comes into view during a movement of "Pictures from an Exhibition" at Carnegie Hall.
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CSO Principal Percussion Cynthia Yeh strikes the bell in The Great Gate of Kiev from "Pictures from an Exhibition."
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The camera closes in on the CSO cello section, led by John Sharp, in performance at Carnegie Hall.
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CSO Assistant Principal Clarinet John Bruce Yeh greets a patron outside the stage door at Carnegie Hall.
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At a post-concert reception, CSO Director of Operations Heidi Lukas and CSOA Trustee Lori Julian congratulate guest saxophonist Timothy McAllister for his solo in the Mussorgsky.
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After the gala concert, patrons enjoy supper at the exclusive restaurant Ciprani 42nd Street.
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Director of Operations Heidi Lukas and Manager of Auditions and Orchestra Personnel Anne MacQuarrie celebrate a successful opening night concert with a nightcap at the hotel bar.
Todd Rosenberg Photography