Your experience begins long before the first note. Find your perfect seat and explore information about parking, dining, accessibility and shopping to make your visit seamless and memorable.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Don Quixote
Oct 24-26, 2024
Overview
This storybook program opens with Beethoven’s incisive take on the Prometheus myth and musical highlights from Humperdinck’s fairy-tale adventure, Hansel and Gretel. In Strauss’ fantastical Don Quixote, Principal Cello John Sharp embodies the befuddled “Man of La Mancha” with Principal Viola Teng Li as his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, as they take on windmills, sorcerers and bleating sheep.
Program
Beethoven
Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus
Humperdinck
Suite from Hansel and Gretel
R. Strauss
Don Quixote
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 Kyle Dzapo in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets are needed.
Día de los Muertos Ofrenda
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, begins on November 1 as a day of remembrance for those who have died. Its roots trace back to precolonial Mexico and the belief that souls return annually to their families so that their lives can be celebrated. Today, families commemorate the day by creating ofrendas (altars), featuring photos, candles, incense and other decorations and offerings to remember the dead.
From October 24 to November 3, visitors to Symphony Center can pay their respects at an ofrenda created by local artist Elvia Rodriguez Ochoa. Honoring members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association family who have passed away over the past year, it also features opportunities for the public and Symphony Center patrons to honor their loved ones. The ofrenda is located on the first floor of the Rotunda.
Visitors are invited to leave a small offering — such as a photo or flower — or write a note on the provided notecards to honor their own loved ones on the ofrenda.
Sponsors & Partners
Official Airline of the CSO
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.
Media Partner
Discover more on Experience CSO
Conductor Donald Runnicles grew up on the iconic historic recordings not only of Georg Solti, but also of Fritz Reiner," he said. "So coming to Chicago with Richard Strauss remains very meaningful.”
Explore more
Metamorphosen, as Strauss biographer Matthew Boyden points out, is “what many consider to be his greatest work.”
Explore more
In April 1904, Richard Strauss guest conducted the Chicago Orchestra with his wife, Pauline, as soprano soloist.
Explore more