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.
Civic Orchestra of Chicago
Civic Plays Esmail, Elgar & Lutosławski
Feb 2, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Overview
Alpesh Chauhan makes his Civic Orchestra debut conducting Elgar’s In the South — a sun-drenched tribute to the glories of ancient Rome. Premiered in 2018 at Wentz Concert Hall, Reena Esmail’s evocative Black Iris is named after Georgia O’Keeffe’s famous painting and inspired by the #MeToo movement. The program concludes with the irrepressible sweep and invention of Lutosławski’s Concerto for Orchestra.
Ticket Information: Pay what you wish, starting at $5, for this concert. By paying for your ticket, you demonstrate the value music plays in your life and help make this performance available to all. Seating is general admission.
Program
Esmail
Black Iris
Elgar
In the South
Lutosławski
Concerto for Orchestra
Performers
Sponsors & Partners
The 2025/26 Civic Orchestra season is generously sponsored by Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation, which also provides major funding for the Civic Fellowship program.
The Civic Orchestra of Chicago acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.
Discover more on Experience CSO
British conductor Alpesh Chauhan, who makes his Civic Orchestra debut with a pair of concerts Feb. 1-2, just has been tapped for another important post.
Explore more
In April 1907, Sir Edward Elgar made his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, leading his overture In the South (Alassio), Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma) and the first Pomp and Circumstance March.
Explore more
This season, Civic will perform seven full-orchestra concerts in venues across Chicago’s neighborhoods and suburbs — a total that has steadily increased in recent years, in alignment with the ensemble’s strategic goals.
Explore more