Photos are courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera (from L to R): Anna Netrebko in the title role of Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena." photo by Brigitte Lacombe. Renée Fleming and Susan Graham in "Der Rosenkavalier." photo by Ken Howard. Juan Diego Flórez in “Le Comte Ory." photo by Marty Sohl. Mariusz Kwiecien  in "Don Giovanni" photo by Marty Sohl. Kate Lindsey in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” photo by Ken Howard. Anna Netrebko in "Lucia di Lammermoor," photo by Ken Howard.

SUMMER ENCORE SCREENINGS OF SIX OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES FROM THE AWARD-WINNING SERIES

This June and July, the Metropolitan Opera will present encore presentations of six Live in HD performances in hundreds of movie theaters across the United States.
 
The series begins June 13th with Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, with star soprano Anna Netrebko, and ends on July 25th with Strauss’s bittersweet romance Der Rosenkavalier, starring Renée Fleming in one of her most acclaimed roles.
 
ANNA BOLENA (Donizetti)
Wednesday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. local time • Estimated running time: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Anna Netrebko sings one of opera’s greatest mad scenes as Anne Boleyn in Donizetti’s opera based on the tragic demise of the famous English queen. David McVicar’s production, which opened the Met’s 2011-12 season, also stars Ekaterina Gubanova as Anne’s rival, Jane Seymour, and Ildar Abdrazakov as Henry VIII. Marco Armiliato conducts the Met premiere of this legendary diva showcase.
 
LE COMTE ORY (Rossini)
Wednesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. local time • Estimated running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
A trio of bel canto stars--Juan Diego Flórez, Diana Damrau, and Joyce DiDonato—star in the Met premiere of Rossini’s exuberant comedy, directed by Bartlett Sher and conducted by Maurizio Benini. Mistaken identities and vocal fireworks abound in the story of a count who disguises himself to seduce a lonely countess.

DON GIOVANNI (Mozart)
Wednesday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m. local time • Estimated running time: 3 hours
Mariusz Kwiecien is the world’s most famous lover in Michael Grandage's new staging of Mozart’s masterpiece. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the cast of gifted Mozarteans, which includes Marina Rebeka as Donna Anna, Barbara Frittoli as Donna Elvira, Mojca Erdmann as Zerlina, Ramón Vargas as Don Ottavio, and Luca Pisaroni as the Don’s beleaguered servant Leporello.
 
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN (Offenbach)
Wednesday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m. local time • Estimated running time: 3 hours
Joseph Calleja stars as the loveless poet Hoffmann in Bartlett Sher’s production, conducted by Met Music Director James Levine. Hoffmann loves and loses three women in the course of the opera: the mechanical doll Olympia (Kathleen Kim), the frail singer Antonia (Anna Netrebko), and the greedy courtesan Giulietta (Ekaterina Gubanova).
 
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR (Donizetti)
Wednesday,July 18 at 6:30 p.m. local time • Estimated running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Anna Netrebko stars as the emotionally fragile Lucia, whose forced marriage to a man she doesn’t love leads to madness and murder. Mariusz Kwiecien sings the role of her tyrannical brother, Enrico, and Piotr Beczala is her lover, Edgardo. Marco Armiliato conducts; Mary Zimmerman’s production stages the opera as a Victorian-era ghost story.
 
DER ROSENKAVALIER (Strauss)
Wednesday,July 25 at 6:30 p.m. local time • Estimated running time: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Renée Fleming stars as the Marschallin, a married noblewoman who wistfully renounces her affair with a much-younger man, in Richard Strauss’s tale of love lost and found in 18th-century Vienna. Edo de Waart conducts a cast that also includes Susan Graham as Octavian, Kristin Sigmundsson as Baron Ochs, and Christine Schäfer as Sophie. 

Click here to find local for theaters.
 
For additional information, visit: metopera.org/liveinhd.  

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater and The Hypocrites Take Top Honors at Non-Equity Jeff Awards, and Griffin Theater Wins Coveted Ensemble Award for "Punk Rock."

June 4, 2012 - Chicago, IL.  At the Non-Equity Jeff Awards held at Park West on Monday, June 4, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater took most awards with 6 honors for their jewel box production of “A Light in the Piazza” including Production-Musical, Director-Musical for Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier, Principal Actress for Kelli Harrington, Supporting Actor for Justin Adair, Music Director for Jeremy Ramey and, in a new award recognition, Dialect Coach for Eva Breneman. The Hypocrites’ avant-garde play “Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses” accrued 4 awards for Production-Play, Director and New Adaptation for Sean Graney, and Lighting Design for Jared Moore. “Punk Rock” by Griffin Theater Company collected the Ensemble award, Director-Play for Jonathan Berry, and Principal Actor-Play for Joey DeBettencourt.
 
Emcees Vanessa Greenway, an artistic associate at Griffin Theater, and Terry Hamilton, an associate artist at TimeLine Theater Company, presided over an evening that recognized 141 nominations in 25 categories from 49 productions and ultimately honored 34 recipients from 15 theaters with 31 awards celebrating excellence in all aspects of Chicago Non-Equity theater. Director for the ceremony was Ronna Kaye, and Non-Equity Chair Doug Bradburd produced the event.

The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. In the season ended March 31, 2012, the Jeff Awards Committee judged the opening nights of 154 Non-Equity productions from 71 Non-Equity producing organizations. Of these, 64 productions were recommended by the opening night judges and became eligible for nominations.
 
To read more, and see the complete list of The Jeff Awards go to  www.jeffawards.org.

photos by Danny Nicholas from L to R: Rashawn Thompson (Marvin Gaye), Yahdina Udeen (Alberta Gaye - Mother), Donald Barnes (Marvin Gaye Sr. – Father), Lawrence Williams (Frankie Gaye), Rueben Echoles (Berry Gordy), Rashaad Hall (Smokey Robinson), Lyle Miller (Harvey Fuqua), Dawn Bless (Gwen Gordy), Katrina Miller (Anna Gordy), and Melanie McCullough (Tammi Terrell and Jan Gaye).  The ensemble also includes A’rese Emokpae, Stori Johnson, and Cory Wright.

With a powerful voice and a commanding stage present Rashawn Thompson is outsatnding in the role of Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr.  Yesterday afternoon, at the Black Ensemble Theatre, Thompson did justice to one of the greatest talents to come out of the Motown dynasty.  

The Marvin Gaye Story revealed the struggles of the singer while also honoring his vast contributions to the music industry and the world. Gaye's sound began with Doo Wop in the ‘50s, and moved to Rhythm and Blues in the ‘60s, political awareness in the ‘70s, and sophisticated soul in the ‘80s.  Some of his greatest contributions include “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” “What’s Going On,” and “Inner City Blues,” as well as numerous hits from his partnership with Tammi Terrel played by Melanie McCullough such as “All I Need To Get By,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “If This World Were Mine.” 

Marvin Gaye won two Grammy Awards including Best Vocal Performance for “Sexual Healing” in 1983.  This song was one of the best the best moments of the show when Thompson electrify the audience singing the hit.

Marvin Gaye’s life was plagued with depression and drug addiction and ended in tragedy on April 1, 1984 when he was shot and killed by his own father but on stage they just refer to it and don't show the actual shooting.

Yahdina Udeen in the role of Gaye's Mother is remarkable. Her powerful voice and her ability to act won my heart and admiration as she sang her finale which was my favorite moment of the entire show. Ms Udeen is by far the best talent I witness on stage yesterday. She is outstanding, and deserve getting the best of any musical awards anywhere in the USA for her superb performance as the mother, a performance that is bigger than life!

This Black Ensemble Theater production, written, produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, will embrace this sentiment and celebrate a legacy of beautiful music that will last forever. The Marvin Gaye Story  is a winner.

At The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark, Through July 29, 2012.  Valet parking is available. Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.and 8:00 p.m.. Sundays at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets priced at $55-$65. A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, and groups. Available online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone (773) 769-4451.

photos: top: BOLERO ©Laurent Philippe • bottom: Giselle ©Christian Leiber

The Harris Theater presents the Chicago debut of the Paris Opéra Ballet from June 26 - July 1. This week long engagement marks the Ballet’s first return to the United States in more than a decade. The world’s finest ballet company will launch its national tour with two programs that have never been presented in the United States—the iconic love story Giselle, June 26-28; and The French Mixed Repertoire from June 29-July 1. This will include Suite En Blanc by Serge Lifar, Roland Petit’s L’Arlésienne, and Le Boléro by Maurice Béjart. All shows will be accompanied by the Grant Park Orchestra in a first-ever collaboration with the Harris Theater. Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be present at the Opening Night Benefit Gala, June 26 to welcome the company to Chicago. 

Additional programs: The Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, May 31-June 3 in their Summer Series. One program will feature one of the most significant contemporary choreographer William Forsythe.
The Chicago Chamber Musicians will celebrate its 25th anniversary on June 4. This magnificent program will feature many ensemble artists performing works by Wagner, Brahms and John Stevens.

PRIDE Films & Plays Presents: Man Boobs
Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Chicago, IL -  Rick Heintz and Michael Hampton have been cast as Marty and Spence in the Chicago premiere of J. Julian Christopher’s insightful new work Man Boobs, a dark comedy about love, body image, and acceptance.

Michael Hampton (Marty) was last seen as Santa Claus in Rudolph the Red Hosed Reindeer, and in staged readings of Pig and The Ritz for Pride Films and Plays. He is an ensemble member of Hell In a Handbag Productions and he just won the Chicago Broadway World award for Best Actor in a Musical (non-equity) for his portrayal of Santa Claus last year.

Rick Heintz (Spence) has been “bearing it all” for the last year over a four-state area in a show he created called “FurrLesque.” Having taken off more than 8 years from his on-stage antics, Rick has been very active in the LGBT community fighting for equality and riding his bicycle to end HIV/AIDS. While hiding from the spotlight, he wrote/co-produced “The Family Business” for the 48-Hour Film Project Los Angeles (Audience Favorite Award) and worked for TV Guide Network in Hollywood producing such shows as “Fashion Wrap with Joan and Melissa Rivers,” “Idol Tonight,” “Reality Chat,” and Red Carpet coverage from everything from the Academy Awards to the Country Music Awards.

David Zak directs Man Boobs, PFP’s second staged production, as part of PFP’s exploration of “what’s new and what’s next” in LGBT theater and film.  Zak, PFP’s Executive Director, predicts, “As we celebrate and nurture new voices in American theater, Mr. Christopher’s fresh and provocative work will be resonating for many years to come.”

Developed at New York’s Public Theater and at workshops at East L.A , Man Boobs ran in New York City at The Fresh Fruit Festival in 2010.  It premiered in Montréal at The Rialto Theatre in 2011 and currently part of Australia’s Midsumma Festival.

Every Saturday from February 18 – March 10 + Thursday, March 8th. Shows start at 7:30 pm at Mary’s Attic, 5446 N. Clark, Chicago.

Previews, Thursday, February 16 and Friday, February 17.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 1.800.838.3006 or online www.BrownPapertickets.com.

Source: Press Release

AR Gurney's "Love Letters" at the Steel Beam Theatre

Give your valentine a romantic evening to cherish at the Steel Beam Theatre’s special staging of the bittersweet and endearing "Love Letters", with my dear friend Jay Cook  who is gay, as the very proper Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and SBT Founder Donna Steele as the rebellious free spumy friend Melissa Gardner. They met on Valentine’s Day in 2nd grade, and the spark between them began. Separated by the capricious hand of fate, but continued their relationship through written correspondence, they realizing way too late that they were soul mates. 

Tickets include champagne, Fine Chocolates and Hors’ d’Oeuvres. Tickets are at $35. Friday, February 10 at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 11 at 5 p.m.+8 p.m. For tickets call 630.587.8521 or visit www.SteelBeamTheatre.com. 

La Cage Aux Folles: An Enjoyable Illusion
Wednesday, December 21rd, 2011.

by David Cohen

The 1978 French-Italian film adaptation of the 1973 play La Cage aux Folles by Jean Poiret, won over the hearts of millions all over the world. In the most positive way, the film portrait a tender, touchy of a real relationship of an openly gay couple Renato Baldi, the manager of a Saint-Tropez drag entertainment nightclub, and his lover Albin Mougeotte the star attraction named Zaza. The madness and the complications all begin when Renato’s real son announced his intention to marry his fiancée, and brings her and her ultra-conservative parents to meet his “not so typical family.”

In the film, the chemistry between the gay couple was magical, and so believable making this film to remained the #1 spot for foreign film released in the United States forever. Unlike the film production of La Cage aux Folles, the stage production version by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein does not have the energy or the impact of the French film that I love so much. Regardless, the show manages to deliver a funny, sad, and insightful perspective of a real long-term gay relationship with all the highs and lows.

George Hamilton in the role of Georges is way too stiff, and doesn’t have what it takes to play this role. He is too old for this part, and he is lacking the charisma that his character needs. His voice is too flat and monotonous. Unfortunately, you need more than just a name to be good in this role. You need to be able to project, have some “Joie de vivre” and to be convincing as Georges. He is a total casting mismatched to Christopher Sieber in the role of his “wife” Albin.

With his extraordinary acting ability and impressive commanding voice range, Sieber is the savior of this production. He is hilarious, and gives Zaza all the jesters a “Drag Queen Diva” should posses. He is the one who brings the show to life, and he is the anchor of every sense. Sieber ignites the stage with his own fire, energized all the other drag queens, and give “La Cage” the essence of what that show should be. After all, there aren’t many actors who could do justice to this role .

For the mainstream audience the costumes, the dancing, the dirty talk, the heavy-duty make up, the high heels and beautiful thin legs that every woman would kill for  is nothing but a joyful mystery. As an openly gay guy who traveled the world extensively I was blessed to see some of the best drag shows in the world. “La Cage” could have been a total winner if the producers would have been more careful by choosing the right actors that would have make you wonder if they are men or women.  After all, a drag show is always fun, even if it doesn’t have the best talent.

The music of “La Cage” will always be inspiring and will always be a draw. The music is simply great and enjoyable.  Overall, “La cage” is a fun show, and it is a good choice for the holiday spirit. At the end, you will leave the show with a smile on your face, and that is not an illusion!

The show will run through January 1, 2012, at the Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe. Tickets at $32-$100. Call 800-775-200 or visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Premieres Three Pieces at the Harris
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

by David Cohen, 

The internationally acclaimed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) returns to the Harris Theater for one night only, Tuesday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. A leader in the next generation of American contemporary ballet, the company will present a highly anticipated, exhilarating program of three contemporary dances exemplifying its commitment to groundbreaking work by world-renowned choreographers;  Jirí Kylián’s Stamping Ground, Jorma Elo’s Red Sweet and Nicolo Fonte’s Where We Left Off.

“As we celebrate our 15th anniversary season, it was important for us to stop in Chicago” said Jean-Philippe Malaty the company director. “We were so well received here four years ago, we thrilled to be here again and share our new work with the warm Chicago audience.”

With a distinguished level of maturity and impressive technical ability, ASFB will present three pieces showcased by it’s ten brilliant dancers. The repetoire will include  the company’s signature piece Red Sweet, premiered in 2008 in Santa Fe, and choreograh by Jorma Elo one of the most sought-after choreographers in the United States and Europe. Music by Vivaldi.

A rarely seen piece,  Stamping Ground is the work of one of the world’s foremost living famous master choreographer Jiri Kylián. Stamping Ground is the third piece commisioned from Kylián to be added to the company’s repertoire. Music by Carlos Chavez.

Where We Left Off, is the 8th piece ASFB commissioned from choreographer Nicolo Fonte. The piece premiered in 2011 in Aspen, CO. with music by Philip Glass.

Tikets are available at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Cost: $32-$72 (handling fees extra). For tickets or more information, visit harristheaterchicago.org or call 312.334.7777.

Photos by Rosalie O’Connor. Top L: Aspen Santa Fe Ballet dancers Billy Cannon, Emily Proctor and Joseph Watson in “Stamping Ground.” Top R: Aspen Santa Fe Ballet dancers Sam Chittenden and Nolan McGahan DeMarco in “Where We Left Off.” Bottom: Billy Cannon, Sam Chittenden, Katherine Bolanos, Katie Dehler Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs “Red Sweet.”

WHITE NOISE: Is It For Real?
Sunday, May 15th, 2011

Last night, PINK invited some of our readers to see White Noise at Royal George produced by Whoopi Goldberg.
Here are some comments about the show. 

Finally, someone got the guts to convey hate into edgy musical. This production is more than life, it’s a mark in history. With an outstanding cast White Noise is remarkable, even for those who can’t diegest it. It’s a must. It makes us thing, wonder and questioned life. It’s one of the best shows I have ever seen. Bravo!–David

A powerful message full of truths about what hate can breed. Difficult to digest but, a necessary message to our society. Great job to the cast. The performance was spectacular! It’s a must see show! Did PINK send you to the show? Comment on our page tell us what you thought! - Al

Thanks again for the tickets-John and I went today and we enjoyed it.  I am not surprised to hear that is closing early – it is kind of a hard sell of a show to a mainstream audience.  I was actually shocked a couple of times at some of the songs but the shock quickly disappeared.  I actually thought the songs were pretty good and I was surprised to see who was in it-the girl Eva used to be on  Bold and the Beautiful and the sister Eve I met in NYC when she was in Rock of Ages-I have a picture with her on my facebook page.  Overall I thought it was enjoyable-thanks for the tickets!! –David Roberts


WHITE NOISE: “Live Broadcast” Concert From The Theatrical Stage in Celebration Of  Final Week In Chicago Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, May 9th, 2011 

White Noise, the provocative and powerhouse new musical produced by Whoopi Goldberg playing at The Royal George, announces a first time event from the theatrical stage—-a live broadcast concert on Wednesday, May 11 at 3:00pm(CST) featuring cast commentary and six musical numbers from the show, including the show-stopping “Mondays Suck,” “Hip Hop Country,” pop/hip hop tuners “Welcome to Eden,” “Life, Liberty & Happiness,” and “W.T.F.”, and the newly added romantic ballad “Fireworks.” Theatre-lovers and music-aficionados can screen the event at www.whitenoisemusical.com/live. This live event is provided in conjunction with Ustream, the world’s largest live streaming broadcaster that receives over 60 million unique visitors/month.

This trailblazing concert celebrates the final performances of White Noise, which, in preparation for its next stage of development will play its final performance in Chicago on Sunday, May 15, 2011.  Says Director/Choreographer Sergio Trujillo, “Our time in  Chicago  has been remarkable. White Noise is the type of show that redefines our ideas of what musical theatre is, and what it can do. We look forward to our next steps and we thank our Chicago audiences for the role they have have played in the development of White Noise.”

White Noise pulls back the curtain at a major record label where a top-selling producer stirs up an explosive cocktail of shock and spin with a splash of controversy to package talented artists into blockbuster stars. Steadily baited by the lure of mainstream fame and power, two diametrically opposed groups—“White Noise,” an irresistible pop band that churns out catchy tunes of coded rhetoric and “Bloodbrothas,” the hip-hop-turned-gangsta rap duo—meet at the top of the charts and collide with consequence. Inspired by real life, White Noise is a timely and cautionary tale that challenges conventional notions of free speech, media and the power of pop culture.

White Noise features a book by Matte O’Brien and music and lyrics by Robert Morris, Steven Morris and Joe Shane. White Noise,was originally conceived by Ryan J. Davis, has a story and characters by Joe Drymala.  The production features musical direction by Jesse Vargas, set design by Robert Brill, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lights by Jason Lyons, sound by Garth Helm,and multi-media design by Raj Kapoor.

The Final performance schedule is: ** Live Stream Concert, www.whitenoisemusical.com/live ** Wednesday 5/11 at 3:00pm • Wednesday 5/11 at 7:30pm, Thursday 5/12 at 7:30pm, Friday 5/13 at 8:00pm • Saturday 5/14, at 5:00pm and 8:00pm • Sunday 5/15 at 2:00pm and 5:00pm

Tickets available at the Royal George,  1641 N. Halsted Street, or by phone (312) 988-9000, or online at www.whitenoisemusical.com.   Student Rush tickets are available at the Royal George box office for $20. Must be purchased in-person with a student I.D.

photos: from L to R: Domingo as Otello, Ricardo Muti. and at the Metropolitan Opera NYC.
From Chicago to New York: Riccardo Muti to Lead Verdi’s Otello 
Friday, April 1st, 2011


Riccardo Muti returns to Chicago April 7, 9, and 12, to lead Verdi’s penultimate operatic masterpiece Otello, in a concert version with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Joining Muti and the CSO are the Chicago Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Duain Wolfe, and the Chicago Children’s Choir, under the direction of Josephine Lee.

Making their CSO debuts in the roles of Otello, Desdemona, Iago, and Emilia, are tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko, soprano Krassimira Stoyanova, baritone Nicola Alaimo, and mezzo-soprano Barbara Di Castri. Also making CSO debuts are tenorJuan Francisco Gatell as Cassio, tenor Michael Spyres as Roderigo, and bass Paolo Battaglia as Montano. Bass Eric Owens sings the role of Lodovico.

Based on Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello, this opera is one of Verdi’s last and was nearly never written, since the composer had gone into retirement following the success of Aida. But librettist Arrigo Boito and Verdi’s publisher convinced the composer to write the opera, and Otello received its premiere at La Scala in Milan in 1887. Riccardo Muti is widely known as one of today’s foremost interpreters of Verdi’s work, and has led numerous performances from the great composer’s catalogue in some of the world’s most important venues, including La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, the Salzburg Festival, and others.

Following the performances at Symphony Center, the CSO travels to New York’s famed Carnegie Hall for three performances with Maestro Muti—the Orchestra’s first concerts outside of Chicago with him since becoming music director. Both the Chicago Symphony Chorus and Chicago Children’s Choir join Muti and the CSO onFriday, April 15 at 8 p.m. for its only New York performance of Otello.

In addition to Otello, Muti also leads an additional program on Friday, April 8, at 1:30 p.m., of Cherubini’s Overture in G Major, a work by another of Maestro Muti’s favorite Italian composers. Liszt’s Les préludes follows, and the program concludes with Shostakovich’s mighty Fifth Symphony.

On Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m., Muti and the Orchestra perform the all-Berlioz program that opened the 2010/11 season in Chicago: Symphonie fantastique and its lesser-known sequel, Lélio, with Gérard Depardieu as narrator. The final Carnegie Hall date—Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m.—repeats the program of Cherubini’s Overture in G Major, Liszt’s Les préludes, and Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony.

Over the course of his extraordinary career, Riccardo Muti has conducted the most prominent orchestras in the world, from the Berlin Philharmonic to the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic to the Orchestre National de France. Maestro Muti made his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival in July 1973. His appointment as the CSO’s tenth music director was announced in May 2008, and in September 2010, he assumed the post for a five-year contract. Maestro Muti and the CSO’s first recording together—Verdi’s Messa da Requiem—on the CSO Resound label was awarded two Grammy awards, marking Muti’s first such honor. In March 2011, Riccardo Muti was selected as the second-ever winner of the Birgit Nilsson Prize, awarded by the Birgit Nilsson Foundation every two or three years to a singer or conductor who has had a significant impact in the classical field.

For more information  and to purchase tickets visit www.cso.org

Source: press release by CSO.