The Harris Theater for Music and Dance launches its eighth season this Fall 2011 with an exciting and eclectic collection of culturally diverse programs featuring some of the world's greatest musicians, dance companies, and artistic visionaries, as well as an exciting selection of performances by the city's most acclaimed music and dance institutions.
Building upon the popular and critical success of its recently concluded seventh season, the Harris Theater's Fall 2011 programming is filled with debut performances by individuals and organizations seldom seen in Chicago, including the Harris Theater debuts of the internationally-acclaimed Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Grammy-nominated Eroica Trio, led by Fabio Luisi, the orchestra's Principal Conductor, who is also Principal Guest Conductor of New York's famed Metropolitan Opera. Broadway's original Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday, also makes her Harris Theater debut in a rare solo appearance, accompanied by the Soul Children of Chicago. Returning to the Harris by popular demand are the internationally heralded Sphinx Virtuosi joined by the Catalyst Quartet, and the iconic Merce Cunningham Dance Company, who will make their final Chicago appearances as part of the company's Legacy Tour, only weeks before they disband forever. Chicago's most acclaimed institutions will also be featured including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Chicago Chamber Musicians, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and Music of the Baroque.
The Harris Theater is pleased to announce that UBS is serving as the 2011-2012 Season Sponsor. The Harris Theater's 2011-2012 Season will also be made possible with support from United Airlines, the Harris Theater's Official Airline of the 2011-2012 Season and the Official and Exclusive Sponsor of Paris Opéra Ballet U.S. Tour. Support for Harris Theater programming is provided by the Irving Harris Foundation Presenting Fund, established in 2006 to bring to Chicago artists or ensembles of the highest caliber which would normally not be seen here in order to complement the works of the Theater's resident companies and build audiences for the Theater. All performances are on The Elizabeth Morse Genius Stage. The Harris Theater is partially supported by a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Harris Theater Presents subscriptions are on sale now. Select single tickets to the Harris Theater Presents performances go on sale September 7, 2011; tickets to all Harris Theater resident company performances will be on sale by August 31, 2011. Tickets are available at the Harris Theater box office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or by visiting www.harristheaterchicago.org.
Program information for the Harris Theater's 2011 fall season is as follows:
Classical Music
Fulcrum Point New Music Project
9/11: Ten Years & Beyond, A Concert for Peace
Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Tickets: $10 general admission / $5 for seniors, students, Chicago Policemen, Firemen and their families
Fulcrum Point New Music Project, the city's leader in new art music and inventive collaborations between classical music and popular culture, will commemorate the tenth anniversary of the September 11 tragedy with 9/11: Ten Years & Beyond. Part of Fulcrum Point's ongoing Concert for Peace series, the uplifting, inclusive program will feature a Fulcrum Point ensemble, led by its Founder Stephen Burns, with traditional songs and prayers from the Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths. Guest artists joining Fulcrum Point on stage will be the New Classic Singers, conducted by Lee Kesselman, along with Kathleen Supové (piano), and soloists Zeshan Bagewadi, Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi, Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, and Saalik Ziyad.
Concert highlights include works by top contemporary composers Aaron Jay Kernis ("Musica Celestis"), Arvo Pärt ("Fratres") and Chicagoan Marita Bolles ("Buddha Girl"), along with the World Premiere of orchestral versions of works by David Stock ("3 Yiddish Songs") and Karim Al-Zand ("Lamentation on the Disasters of War").
The Chicago Chamber Musicians
CCM Brass and American Brass Quintet
Monday, September 26, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $10 - $45
Described as "positively breathtaking" by the New York Times, the American Brass Quintet has been internationally recognized as an icon in the brass world. Don't miss the opportunity to hear CCM BRASS, one of the foremost interpreters of the brass quintet repertoire, collaborate with the quintet on a program that is a must-hear for any brass lover.
Paul Dukas Fanfare from La Péri
Joan Tower Copperwave
Anthony Plog Octet
Richard Strauss Festmusik der Stadt Wien
Vitaly Bujanovsky "España" from Traveling Impressions
James Stephenson Call
Michael Tilson Thomas Street Song
Sphinx Virtuosi
Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 3:00 pm
