Ryan Townsend Strand to Present ‘Letters to Jackie’ at Ravinia Festival’s 2024 Bennett Gordon Hall Concert Series

(Credit: Strand) The Ravinia Festival has announced its fall and spring Bennett Gordon Hall Concert Series. For the purposes of this article, only performances featuring classical vocal works will be spotlighted. Tenor Ryan Townsend Strand presents the art song cycle “Letters to Jackie” alongside pianist Karina Kontorovitch. The piece spotlights 15 letters of condolence sent to Jacqueline Kennedy following the {…}

Aug 5, 2023

Q & A: Sasha Cooke on the Ravinia Festival, the Mahlers & Her Passion for Modern Opera

Few artists in the opera world today are as versatile as mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke. Just take a look at the two-time Grammy Award winner’s upcoming 2023-24 season and you’ll find performances of classics such as “Don Giovanni” and “Messiah,” alongside newer works such as “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.” Last season was no different with Cooke navigating works by Mozart, {…}

Aug 4, 2023

Q & A: Soprano Kathryn Lewek on the Ravinia Festival, The Queen of the Night & Taking on French Operas She Never Thought She’d Get to Do

For many, Kathryn Lewek IS the Queen of the Night. She holds the record for most performances of the role at the Metropolitan Opera and has taken her interpretation of the famed villain to opera houses such as the Royal Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, and the Gran Teatre del Liceu, among many, many others. This summer, she will {…}

Jul 10, 2020

Ravinia Festival Announces New CEO & President

The Ravinia Festival in Illinois has announced that Jeffrey P. Haydon will become the festival’s new CEO and president. Haydon succeeds Welz Kauffman, who leaves Ravinia in September after two decades as CEO. Haydon has led the Caramoor Festival for the past 12 years and was the executive director of the Ojai Music Festival for nine years. He also worked {…}

Aug 29, 2019

Q & A: The Knights’ Co-Founder Colin Jacobsen On ‘Candide,’ Growth & Future Projects

For any fans who still believe classical music is confined to opulent concert halls, only to be enjoyed by the pillars of society, meet The Knights. Founded by brothers Colin and Eric Jacobsen, this adventurous 40-member chamber orchestra performs everything from Beethoven to Jimi Hendrix. Born into a musical family, with a father who played in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, {…}

Aug 27, 2019

The Knights To Perform ‘Candide’ At Ravinia

The Knights are set to return to Ravinia Festival for a performance of Bernstein’s “Candide.” The showcase will be led by conductor Eric Jacobsen with Alison Moritz directing. The production will star Met Opera Auditions-winning tenor Miles Mykkanen in the title role, Sharleen Joynt as Cunégonde, Margaret Gawrysiak as the Old Lady, Evan Jones as Pangloss/Voltaire/Cacambo, Evan Bravos as Maximilian/Grand Inquisitor/Sea Captain, and Alex Mansoori {…}

Aug 2, 2018

Matthew Polenzani Cancels Ravinia Festival Concert

Matthew Polenzani has canceled his upcoming concert at the Ravinia Festival. The tenor made the announcement via Instagram citing a health reason. The tenor noted, “My dear friends and family, dear fans in the Chicago area, I’m sorry to let you know that I have to withdraw from the ‘CSO: Italian Opera Favorites’ concert at the Ravinia Festival on August {…}