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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is set to launch its first European tour with Riccardo Muti since 2020. Across 19 days, from January 11 to 29, the CSO and Muti – the Orchestra’s Music Director Emeritus for Life – will present 14 concerts in 11 cities in seven countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Luxembourg.
Highlights include the CSO’s first performance of composer Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3 at Vienna’s renowned Musikverein concert hall, the European premiere of the CSO-commissioned work The Triumph of the Octagon by American composer Philip Glass and a sold-out concert at Milan’s La Scala opera house in Italy, where Muti served as music director from 1986 to 2005.
During the tour, musicians of the CSO also will participate in masterclasses and community performances in Brussels and Paris as part of activities supported by the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO.
On Monday, January 8, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra departed Chicago to embark on the Orchestra’s 35th European tour and 64th international tour since it began touring regularly in 1892. The first stop is Brussels, Belgium.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
A lot of preparation and packing occurred prior to Monday’s departure. On Saturday, January 6, CSO principal bassoon Keith Buncke fastens the lock on his trunk just before the stage technicians loaded all of the cargo into two semi-trucks.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Stage technician Todd Snick rolls two trunks of horns through Symphony Center on the way to the loading dock. Nearly 20 tons of instruments, wardrobe and equipment are packed into 141 trunks.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO bass Andrew Sommer, assistant principal bass Alexander Horton, and Horton’s wife, Hillary Horton, roll their suitcases through Symphony Center’s Arcade on their way to catch the bus that will transport them to the airport.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO violin Kozue Funakoshi kisses her children goodbye after she is dropped off at O’Hare International Airport. Several musicians leave partners, children and pets behind for the three-week duration of the tour and are only able to “see” them through video chats and photos.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
After checking their luggage, CSO musicians pass under a large banner advertisement for the CSO on display at the airport. A few musicians even see themselves on these ads.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO principal librarian Justin Vibbard boards United Airlines flight 972 direct to Brussels, Belgium.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO viola Max Raimi enjoys some in-flight entertainment while many passengers get some sleep during the eight-hour flight.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO violin Gina DiBello and flute Emma Gerstein collect their luggage after arriving at the hotel in Brussels.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO cello Richard Hirschl pulls up the hood of his jacket to protect himself from the frigid temperatures in Brussels.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
In a country known for its chocolates, CSO bass Daniel Carson eyes a selection of the delectables on offer at a local chocolatier.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
In addition to sampling the chocolate, a trip to Belgium wouldn’t be complete without a waffle.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO percussion James Ross and his children Annie and Greg stroll through Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, which is filled with shopping and entertainment in the heart of Brussels.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The lighting at night showcases the architecture of Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, which was inspired by 19th-century Italian palaces and is covered by a glass roof.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The gleaming Grand-Place is the central square of Brussels and features Baroque guildhalls, the Town Hall and the former King’s House building, which now features the Brussels City Museum.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
A statue of a Smurf, the blue gnomes made popular through comic books, a television series and figurines, stands near Central Station in Brussels. The Smurfs were created just outside of the city by Pierre ‘Peyo’ Culliford in 1958 and are celebrated across Brussels today with statues and murals.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Stage manager Chris Lewis pushes a trunk into the hall at Palais Des Beaux Arts, commonly known as BOZAR, which is a homophone of Beaux-arts.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
