Gallery: Free time and concerts in Naples

February 16, 2020 — ‹ 5 min view

Riccardo Muti leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in an all-Prokofiev program at Frances Pew Hayes Hall in Naples.

For the final stop on their Florida Tour 2020, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Riccardo Muti concluded a three-day engagement at Artis—Naples.

As part of a second season of a three-year residency at the performing arts center, Muti and the CSO performed two concerts at Frances Pew Hayes Hall on Feb. 13 and 15. In addition, musicians led master classes and educational sessions for students in the Naples area, under the auspices of the CSO’s Negaunee Music Institute and Artis—Naples. Participating were members of Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, as well as students from the Immokalee Middle and High Schools.

The concert begins as Maestro Muti leads the CSO in Prokofiev’s Suite from Romeo and Juliet.

Maestro Muti cuddles a sleepy Leah, daughter of Sylvia Kim Kilcullen. assistant principal second violin.

On the hotel grounds, Principal Bass Alex Hanna (center) chats with violin Gina DiBello and her husband, Ian Ding.

CSO viola Lawrence Neuman and son Maurice head out to play tennis.

Baird Dodge, principal second violin, and his family play a game during a cocktail reception.

In the morning, viola Danny Lai and his family enjoy a walk along the beach near the Grand Naples Resort.

CSO viola Max Raimi enjoys a walk on the beach.

Sporting similar sunglasses, cello Karen Basrak and daughter Glayden soak up the warm weather.

CSO violin So Young Bae and daughter Stella enjoy some pool time.

CSO cello David Sanders and Heidi Lukas, director of operations, grab lunch at Skyline Chili.

At a pre-concert reception, violin Nancy Park talks with CSOA Life Trustee Richard L. Thomas.

Bass trombone Charles Vernon chats with patrons during a pre-concert cocktail reception.

Music Director Riccardo Muti jokes with Concertmaster Robert Chen as they walk to the stage before the first Naples concert.

Bass clarinet J. Lawrie Bloom takes a bow. He will be the soloist in the world premiere of Nicolas Bacri’s Ophelia’s Tears back at Orchestra Hall this week.

CSO violins Mihaela Ionescu and Susan Synnestvedt share a laugh during intermission of the first Naples concert.

At intermission, CSOA Life Trustee William H. Strong and wife Sandi stop backstage to greet musicians, including Acting Principal Viola Li-Kuo Chang.

Maestro Muti congratulates the violins after Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 3.

Kathleen van Bergen, president and CEO of Artis—Naples and a former Civic member, welcomes the orchestra.

Musicians relax during a post-concert reception presented by Artis—Naples.

Musicians arrive for the second and final concert at Frances Pew Hayes Hall on the Artis—Naples campus.

Principal Harp Sarah Bullen warms up before the concert.

Before the last Naples concert begins, violin Kozue Funakoshi is all smiles.

Horns Susanna Gaunt and principal David Cooper go over the section schedule for the upcoming weeks.

Any rehearsal space in a pre-concert storm: Assistant Principal Trumpet Mark Ridenour warms up in a trunk.

Before the final Naples concert, cello Brant Taylor heads to the stage.

The low brass section performs Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture.

CSO trumpet Tage Larsen gets a close-up during the Wagner.

Maestro Muti leads the orchestra in Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture.

CSO violin Ni Mei heads to the stage for the second half of the concert.

Maestro Muti talks with librarian Carole Keller before he takes the stage for the final work.

Maestro Muti leads the orchestra in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 (From the New World).

As Maestro Muti addresses the audience before the encore, a patron yells something in Italian, which triggers a humorous exchange between them.

Stage Manager Chris Lewis heads to his trunk to change as the rest of the stage crew begins the load-out process.

Kathleen van Bergen, president and CEO of Artis-Naples, talks with horn James Smelser.

Between concerts and outreach activities, musicians soaked up the warmth of the Sunshine State, taking walks on the beach, getting in some pool time and generally just unwinding. It’s the last tour of this season, but the musicians will jump right back into the swim of things upon their return to Orchestra Hall for the world premiere of Nicolas Bacri’s Ophelia’s Tears, featuring bass clarinet J. Lawrie Bloom, and two Beethoven symphonies, all led by Maestro Muti.

For more coverage, go to the tour page on cso.org, Sounds and Stories’ CSO on Tour category, the CSO’s Facebook page and other social media outlets, including Twitter and Instagram.