Jennifer Hudson, Nathan Gunn, Kelli O’Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mandy Patinkin, Rufus Wainwright, et al. Set for Ravinia’s 2011 Season

The Ravinia Festival has announced programming for its 2011 season, which will include a gala benefit celebrating composer George Gershwin, on Saturday, July 23. James Conlon will lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the 75-minute concert, which features vocalists Kelli O’Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Sylvia McNair with pianist Kevin Cole.

Throughout the summer, the CSO will also feature a number of guest vocalists in other programs, with performers including Deborah Voigt (July 9), Bryn Terfel (July 20), and Rufus Wainwright (August 14). The latter half of this final program will feature Wainwright in concert.

Additional highlights will include Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
(June 12), A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor (June 25), Joshua Bell as part of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Jacobs School of Music (July 2), Jennifer Hudson (July 16-17), a master class with Sylvia McNair (July 28), Bryn Terfel with pianist Brian Zeger (August 2), Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (August 21), Tony Bennett (August 26), Laura Benanti (August 27), and Mandy Patinkin and Nathan Gunn (August 31).

Among the other artists participating in the festival are Emanuel Ax, Tom Chapin, Chicago, Deep Purple, Eldar Djangirov, Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, The Go-Gos, Daryl Hall & John Oates, The Judds, Lang Lang, Los Lobos, Yo-Yo Ma, Momix, The Moody Blues, Itzhak Perlman, Robert Plant, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steely Dan, and Carrie Underwood.

For tickets and more information, click here.