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Chicago Symphony Orchestra
An American Suite
May 31, 2025 — 7:30 PM
Overview
Dvořák’s radiant salute to the New World kicks off an American road trip with James Gaffigan at the wheel. Take in poignant selections from Gershwin’s landmark opera — sung by Janai Brugger — and the composer’s urbane and nostalgic love letter to Paris. Chicago native Florence Price sets two American poems to song, and a pair of symphonic showstoppers by Bernstein transports audiences to “New York, New York” and beyond.
Program
Dvořák
American Suite
Price (orch. Rosner)
My Dream
Price (orch. Rosner)
Beside the Sea
Bernstein
Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Gershwin
Summertime from Porgy and Bess
Gershwin
My Man's Gone Now from Porgy and Bess
Gershwin
An American in Paris
Bernstein
Overture to Candide
Performers
Extras
Enhance your concert experience.
Preconcert Dining
Enhance your concert experience by dining at the Thomas Club, offering a prix fixe menu featuring traditional American fare for a seamless preconcert dining experience. Reservations | Learn more and view the menu
Preconcert Conversation
Explore the music in a free preconcert conversation featuring Weston Williams in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets are needed.
Poems While You Wait
Friday, May 31: Poems While You Wait is a collective of poets and their vintage typewriters who provide an unexpected and unpretentious encounter with poetry.
The process is simple: give us your name, give us the topic that you would like us to write a poem about (funny, sad or serious; big or small), give us a $10 donation (all of which goes to the nonprofit book publisher Rose Metal Press), and go enjoy the performance. Upon your return you will have a custom-made, one-of-a-kind original poem to keep for yourself or to give as a gift. Poetry requests will take place in front of Grainger Ballroom starting at 6:30 PM. No additional tickets required.
Sponsors & Partners
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.
The appearance of Janai Brugger is made possible by the Grainger Fund for Excellence.
Discover more on Experience CSO
For years, James Gaffigan tried to avoid being typecast as the American conductor who does American music. But now that he's in his 40s, he embraces that role. "It’s all music that I love.”
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At the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago, George Gershwin appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as soloist in his Concerto in F and Rhapsody in Blue.
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Bernstein’s The Age of Anxiety features Jean-Yves Thibaudet performing the piano part. Orchestral highlights from Gershwin and Weill musicals frame a stirring selection of spirituals.
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