Chicago Symphony Orchestra

It’s a match made in heaven: revered conductor Riccardo Muti and his beloved Chicago Symphony Orchestra, reconvening in Berkeley for a program of orchestral gems for one night only. Muti, who turns 84 this year, stepped down as the esteemed ensemble’s music director to assume the role of Music Director Emeritus for Life in 2023, but his close rapport with this group of remarkable musicians continues to enchant.

Muti excels at Brahms and here conducts the composer’s majestic Fourth Symphony; Stravinsky’s delightful suite from the ballet The Fairy’s Kiss; and Ravel’s ever-popular Boléro, which, with its sensuously hypnotic theme, builds the concert to a volcanic climax.

“Under Muti, the Chicago Symphony is all power and finesse.…He barely had to move for the players to unleash torrents of stupendous, beautifully balanced sound” (The New York Times).

Leadership support for this performance is provided by Jerome and Thao Dodson.
Major support for this performance is provided by Diana Cohen and Bill Falik, and Greg Lutz.