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Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Mäkelä Conducts Symphonie fantastique
Oct 16-18, 2025
Overview
Love, witchcraft, murder — it’s all packed into Symphonie fantastique, Berlioz’s thriller about a lovesick artist obsessed with a young actress. Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä leads this showpiece in all its psychedelic glory. There’s more drama in Harold in Italy, Berlioz’s Byronic tone poem featuring violist Antoine Tamestit’s “ferocity and panache” (BBC Music Magazine).
Program
Berlioz
Harold in Italy
Berlioz
Symphonie fantastique
Bach
Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007, 1. Prelude [Oct 16 & 18 Encore]
Bach
Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009, 1. Prelude [Oct 17 Encore]
Performers
Extras
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Preconcert Dining
Explore Symphony Center’s on-site dining options for a seamless preconcert experience. Preorder a Sound Bites meal to enjoy in the Rotunda before the concert — or make a reservation to dine at the Thomas Club, offering a prix fixe menu featuring traditional American fare and a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. View menus and learn more »
Preconcert Conversation
Explore the music in a free preconcert conversation featuring Max Raimi in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets are needed.
Sponsors & Partners
These concerts are generously sponsored by Zell Family Foundation.
Maestro Residency Presenter
Media Partner
Discover more on Experience CSO
Viola virtuoso Antoine Tamestit has resolutely carved out a solo career, not so much to be a musical star, but instead to showcase the instrument he loves so much, because he has "a passion for the instrument."
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For his otherworldly "Symphonie fantastique," Hector Berlioz called for the use of giant church bells in G and C, to be struck offstage.
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Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique" anchors Klaus Mäkelä's latest release on Decca, with the Orchestre de Paris. Mäkelä will perform the same work with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this fall.
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