One of the beauties of classical music in Chicago this coming season is that if you don’t find the type of music you are looking for in one concert series, you can generally find it somewhere else in and around town. Tired of the CSO’s neglect of conservative American music? Catch an all-John Alden Carpenter concert at the Chicago Humanities Festival XII. Curious about the contemporary tonal French music the Boulez camp frowns on? Sample Concertante di Chicago’s program on May 19. This also might be an excellent time to check out Anne Heider’s wonderful vocal ensemble formerly known as His Majestie’s Clerkes, now calling itself Bella Voce. The new name means “beautiful voice” in Italian, and that’s an apt description of the group. A floodtide of interesting musical events awaits. Deciding which ones to attend will pose all sorts of dilemmas for the musically curious. Good listening.
Chicago Symphony
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-294-3000; www.cso.org
Opening night, Daniel Barenboim, conductor; Maxim Vengerov, violin. Works by Wagner, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Debussy. Sept. 21.
Barenboim, conductor; Yo-Yo Ma, cello. Works by Carter, Wagner. Sept. 27-29.
Barenboim, conductor and piano; Angela Denoke, soprano; Peter Seiffert, tenor; John Tomlinson, bass. Works by Mundry, Wagner. Oct. 4-6.
Barenboim, conductor; Elizabeth Connell, soprano. Works by Mundry, Wagner. Oct. 11-12.
Barenboim, conductor; Chicago Symphony Chorus; Waltraud Meier, Christian Franz, Nadja Michael, Andreas Schmidt, John Tomlinson, vocal soloists. Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde,” concert performances. Oct. 13, 16.
William Eddins, conductor and piano. Works by Rebel, Poulenc, Beethoven. Oct. 28, 30.
Christian Thielemann, conductor; Andreas Haefliger, piano. Works by Pfitzner, Mozart, R. Strauss. Nov. 1-3.
Pierre Boulez, conductor; Krystian Zimerman, piano. Works by Eotvos, Bartok, Mussorgsky-Ravel. Nov. 8-13.
Boulez, conductor; Christine Brewer, soprano; Michelle De Young, mezzo-soprano; Chicago Symphony Chorus. Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.” Nov. 15-17.
Barenboim, conductor; Samuel Magad, violin. Works by Bach, Shostakovich, Kodaly, Bartok. Nov. 23-27.
Barenboim, conductor; Dorothea Roeschmann, soprano; Thomas Quasthoff, baritone. Works by Mozart. Nov. 29-Dec. 4.
Barenboim, conductor; Itzhak Perlman, violin; Mathieu Dufour, flute. Works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Boulez, Ravel. Dec. 6-8.
Barenboim, conductor and piano. Works by Mozart, Furtwaengler. Dec. 12.
Barenboim, conductor; Jane Eaglen, soprano. Works by R. Strauss, Furtwaengler. Dec. 13-15.
Barenboim, conductor. Works by Tchaikovsky, Ellington. Dec. 19-23.
Antonio Pappano, conductor. Works by Haydn, Primosch, Shostakovich. Jan. 10-12.
Michael Gielen, conductor; Elena Bashkirova, piano. Works by Beethoven, Lopez. Jan. 17-22.
Gielen, conductor. David Schrader, organ; Donald Koss, timpani. Works by Ravel, Poulenc, Dutilleux. Jan. 24-29.
Daniele Gatti, conductor; Gianluca Cascioli, piano. Works by Stravinsky, Beethoven, Brahms. Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
Manfred Honeck, conductor; Lang Lang, piano. Works by Thomas, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich. Feb. 7-10.
Ingo Metzmacher, conductor; Michael Henoch, oboe; William Buchman, bassoon; Yuan-Qing Yu, violin; Stephen Balderston, cello. Works by Ives, Beethoven, Haydn, Hartmann. Feb. 14-16.
Franz Welser-Moest, conductor; Radu Lupu, piano. Works by Saariaho, Mozart, Dvorak. Feb. 21-23.
David Robertson, conductor; Gil Shaham, violin. Works by Mozart, Stravinsky. Feb. 28-March 5.
Robertson, conductor; Christian Lindberg, trombone. Works by Berlioz, Berio, Sibelius. March 7-12.
Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Evelyn Glennie, percussion. Works by G. Gabrieli, Schwantner, Tchaikovsky. March 14-16.
Eddins, conductor; Lynn Harrell, cello. Works by Rossini, Lutoslawski, Rimsky-Korsakov. March 28-April 2.
Zubin Mehta, conductor; Nikolaj Znaider, violin. Works by Bartok, Prokofiev, Beethoven. April 4-6.
Mehta, conductor; Nadja Michael, mezzo-soprano; Nancy Maultsby, mezzo-soprano; Jon Villars, tenor; CSO Chorus. Berlioz’s “Les Troyens,” Part 2. April 11-13.
Pinchas Zukerman, conductor, violin and viola; Eddins, conductor. Works by Bach, Stravinsky. April 17-21.
Zukerman, conductor; Martin Kasik, piano. Works by Haydn, Schumann, Takemitsu. April 25-27.
Mstislav Rostropovich, conductor; John Sharp, cello. Works by Britten. May 2-4.
Rostropovich, conductor; Olga Guriakowa, soprano; Ian Bostridge, tenor; Andreas Schmidt, baritone; CSO Chorus and American Boychoir. Britten’s “War Requiem.” May 9-11.
Ivan Fischer, conductor; Alex Klein, oboe. Works by Haydn, R. Strauss, Stravinsky. May 23-28.
Barenboim, conductor; John Williams, guitar. Works by Debussy, Takemitsu, Rodrigo, C. Halffter. May 30-June 4.
Barenboim, conductor; Anna Larsson, Robert Gambill, Robert Holl, vocal soloists; CSO Chorus. Elgar’s “The Dream of Gerontius.” June 6-11.
Barenboim, conductor. Works by Bach, Boulez, Bruckner. June 13-15.
Symphony Center
Symphony Center Presents, Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-294-3000; www.cso.org
Orchestras Series: Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch, conductor, Oct. 7. Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Herbert Blomstedt, conductor; Nikolaj Znaider, violin, Oct. 22. Kirov Orchestra, Valery Gergiev, conductor; Alexander Toradze, piano, Dec. 3. Orchestre de Paris, Christoph Eschenbach, conductor; Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano, Jan. 21. Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly, conductor; Hilary Hahn, violin, Feb. 12. St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Yuri Temirkanov, conductor; Yefim Bronfman, piano, March 4.
Vocalists Series: Dorothea Roeschmann, soprano; Thomas Quasthoff, baritone; Daniel Barenboim, piano, Dec. 2. Ben Heppner, tenor; Craig Rutenberg, piano, Jan. 20. Anne Sophie von Otter, mezzo-soprano; Bengt Forsberg, piano, March 13. Matthias Goerne, baritone; Eric Schneider, piano, April 16. Ian Bostridge, tenor; Julius Drake, piano, May 14. Jessye Norman, soprano, May 19.
Chamber Series: Martha Argerich, Nelson Freire, pianos, Oct. 19. Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin; Trondheim Soloists, Nov. 14. Itzhak Perlman, violin; Daniel Barenboim, piano, Dec. 9. Chicago Symphony Orchestra Wind Quintet, Feb. 3. Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood, conductor; Robert Levin, fortepiano, Feb. 27. Kremerata Baltica; Gidon Kremer, violin, April 24. John Williams, guitar, May 29. Maxim Vengerov, violin; Barenboim, piano, June 9.
Piano Series: Evgeny Kissin, Oct. 21. Stephen Kovacevich, Nov. 11. Radu Lupu, Jan. 27. Saleem Abboud-Ashkar and Shai Wosner, Feb. 24. Andras Schiff, March 10. Peter Serkin, March 24. Murray Perahia, April 14. Alfred Brendel, April 28. Maurizio Pollini, May 5. Daniel Barenboim, June 2.
MusicNOW Series: In Buntrock Hall. Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Daniel Barenboim, conductor, Sept. 30. Pierre Boulez, conductor, Nov. 18. David Robertson, conductor, March 11. Cliff Colnot, conductor, April 26.
Special concerts: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Claudio Abbado, conductor, Oct. 10. Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company, Oct. 14. Audra McDonald, Oct. 27. Vienna Choir Boys, Nov. 23. Ravi Shankar’s Farewell Concert, Nov. 26. Chanticleer, Dec. 5 (Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago). “Welcome Yule,” Duain Wolfe, conductor; members of CSO, CSO Chorus and Chicago Children’s Choir, Dec. 14-17. New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec. 31. Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, May 1. Chicago Symphony Singers, Duain Wolfe, director, May 16.
Lyric Opera
Lyric Opera of Chicago, Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; 312-332-2244; www.lyricopera.org
Verdi’s “Otello.” New production. Renee Fleming/Kallen Esperian, Ben Heppner, Lucio Gallo, Michelle Wrighte. Andrew Davis, conductor; Peter Hall, director; John Gunter, Mark Henderson, designers. Sept. 22 (gala performance), 25, 28; Oct. 1, 7, 10, 13, 17, 20, 23, 26.
Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene.” Catherine Malfitano, Dean Peterson, Gregory Turay, Lori Ann Fuller. Richard Buckley, conductor; David Poutney, director; David Fielding, Paul Pyant, designers. Oct. 2, 6, 9, 12, 15, 21, 24, 27, 31; Nov. 3.
Bellini’s “I Capuleti e I Montecchi.” Andrea Rost, Vesselina Kasarova, Fabio Sartori, Umberto Chiummo, Jeffrey Wells. Bruno Campanella, conductor; Giulio Chazalettes, director; Ulisse Santicchi, Duane Schuler, designers. Nov. 1, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 19, 24, 27; Dec. 1.
Britten’s “Billy Budd.” New production. Nathan Gunn, Kim Begley, Samuel Ramey, Richard Stilwell. Andrew Davis, conductor; David McVicar, director; Charles Edwards, Brigitte Reiffenstuel, Schuler, designers. Nov. 17, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30; Dec. 3, 7, 10, 15.
Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.” New production. Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, Alice Coote, Eugenie Grunewald, Anne-Marie Owens, Stephen West, Maria Kanyova. Mark Elder, conductor; Richard Jones, director; John MacFarlane, Jennifer Tipton, designers. Dec. 8, 11, 13, 16, 19; Jan. 4, 7, 12, 16, 19.
Puccini’s “La Boheme.” Leontina Vaduva (January dates and Feb. 1)/Patricia Racette (February dates); Roberto Aronica (January dates and Feb. 1)/Frank Lopardo (February dates); Alexandra von der Weth (January dates and Feb. 1)/Noemi Nadelmann (February dates); Stephen Powell (January dates and Feb. 1)/Rodney Gilfry (February dates). Bruno Bartoletti, conductor; Richard Pearlman, director; Pier Luigi Pizzi, Christine Binder, designers. Jan. 17, 20, 23, 26, 29; Feb. 1, 4, 8, 12, 15, 20, 23.
Wagner’s “Parsifal.” New production. Gosta Winbergh, Catherine Malfitano, Hakan Hagegard, Matti Salminen, Egils Silins. Andrew Davis, conductor; Nikolaus Lehnhoff, director; Raimund Bauer, Andrea Schmidt-Futterer, Schuler, designers. Feb. 2, 6, 9, 13, 18, 21, 26; March 1, 5, 9.
Mozart’s “Die Zauberfloete” (The Magic Flute). Dorothea Roeschmann, Paul Groves, Gerald Finley, Mary Dunleavy, Matti Salminen, Egils Silins, David Cangelosi. Andrew Davis, conductor; Matthew Lata, director; Joerg Zimmermann, Renate Kalanke, Schuler, designers. Feb. 16, 19, 22, 25, 27, March 2, 6, 8, 11, 13, 16.
Chamber music
Chamber Music at North Park. Anderson Chapel, North Park University; 773-244-5630. Yolanda Kondonassis, harp; Chee-Yun, violin, Nov. 9. Rugeri Trio, Jan. 26. Bassano Quintet, March 23. North Park Chamber Players, May 3.
Chamber Music Society of the North Shore. Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston; 847-835-5084. Borromeo String Quartet, Sept. 23. Vienna Piano Trio, Nov. 11. Pacifica Quartet, Jan. 13. Miro String Quartet, March 3. Miami String Quartet, with Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola, May 12.
Chicago Chamber Musicians. Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston; DePaul University Concert Hall; 312-225-5226. Honegger, Bach, Wagner, Hindemith, Sept. 30-Oct. 1. R. Strauss, Hindemith, Brahms, Nov. 4-5. Schoenberg, Tilson Thomas, Mozart, Feb. 3-4. Patrice Michaels, soprano; “Les Six,” March 17-18. Hindemith and others, April 7-8.
Chicago Ensemble, Gerald Rizzer, director. Three Arts Club, 1300 N. Dearborn; 312-409-9677. New works from the Discover America competition; Nov. 11.
Chicago String Quartet. DePaul University Concert Hall; 312-225-5226. Guest artist Menahem Pressler, piano, Oct. 10. Susanne Mentzer, mezzo-soprano; Michael Tree, viola, Nov. 8. Wolf, Beethoven, Gershwin/Colnot, Jan. 16. Midori, violin; Robert McDonald, piano, April 17.
Fermilab Arts Series. Ramsey Auditorium, Fermilab, Batavia; 630-840-2787. Carol Wincenc, flute; Nancy Allen, harp, Saturday. Trio Voronezh, Nov. 10. Gallery Chamber Series: David Schrader, harpsichord, Jan. 13; Christopher Laughlin, guitar, Feb. 24; Champagne Players, March 31.
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts. In its 25th anniversary season. Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center; 312-670-6888. Free recitals every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m.
Jewish Community Centers of Chicago annual benefit concert. Symphony Center; 312-357-4700. Emanuel Ax and Yefim Bronfman, duo pianos, Nov. 20.
Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation Fine Arts Series. 7117 N. Crawford Ave., Lincolnwood; 847-676-0491. Trio Settecento, Oct. 23. John Bruce Yeh and Teresa Reilly, clarinets, with Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra, Nov. 20.
Monday Night Music. Storefront Theater, Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph St.; 312-742-8497. Frank Gratowski Trio, Oct. 15. Mark Dresser and Denman Maroney Duo, Nov. 5. Guillermo Gregorio and MADI Ensemble, Dec. 17.
Mostly Music at Northeastern Illinois University. Various venues; 773-442-4978. Hyde Park Sundays Series: Renaissance Flora and Fauna, Oct. 28; New Budapest Orpheum Society, Nov. 11; Burnham String Quartet, Dec. 2; Dois No Choro, Feb. 10; Enso String Quartet, March 10; young award winners, May 5. North Side Sundays Series: Julia Bentley, mezzo-soprano, Oct. 14; Dois No Choro, Nov. 18; Enso String Quartet, Dec. 16; Burnham String Quartet, Feb. 3; Renaissance Flora and Fauna, March 17; young award winners, April 28. North Shore Sundays: Maria Teresa Maderia, piano, with Dois No Choro, Oct. 7; New Budapest Orpheum Society, Jan. 6; PINOTAGE, Feb. 17; Gregory Smith, clarinet, March 10; Enso String Quartet, April 21; young award winners, May 19.
Music in the Loft. 1017 W. Washington Blvd.; 312-243-9233. Corinthian Trio, Sept. 21, 23. Grand prize winners of the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition, Oct. 19. Adam Neiman, piano, Oct. 21. Jonathan Yates, piano, Nov. 16. Pacifica Quartet, Nov. 18. Nuiko Wadden, harp, Eric Lamb, flute, and Wendy Richman, viola, Jan. 18. David Perry, violin, Nuiko Wadden, harp, and Linda Perry, piano, Jan. 20. Lisa Steltenpohl, viola, and Anna Steltenpohl, oboe, March 8, 10.
Northeastern Illinois University Concert Series, presented with Mostly Music. Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave.; 773-442-4978. Sounds of China, Friday. CUBE Contemporary Music Ensemble, March 1. KLANG contemporary concert, April 12. CSO Chamber Players, Jan. 13 (Harold Washington Library Center).
Orion Ensemble. Various venues; 630-628-9591. Charlene Zimmerman, clarinet, Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 3. Beethoven, Dahl, R. Strauss, Nov. 11, 14, 18. Beethoven, Saint-Saens, Martin; March 17, 20, 24. Alex Klein, oboe, May 5, 8, 19.
Rembrandt Chamber Players. Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston, other locations; 847-328-4883. Vienna to Prague, Oct. 14. Halloween Family Concert; Jon Deak, composer and string bass, Oct. 27. Telemann’s “Tafelmusik,” Dec. 4-9. Bach, Shostakovich, Huydts, Feb. 7-11. Spring cantata concert, April 14. Susanne Mentzer, mezzo-soprano, May 5-6.
Rising Stars at Ravinia. Bennett-Gordon Hall, Ravinia, Highland Park; 847-266-5100. Piano Series: Andrew von Oeyen, Oct. 19; Konstantin Lifschitz, Nov. 2; Aleksandar Serdar, Nov. 30; Esther Budiardjo, March 8; Kirill Gerstein, March 22. Van Cliburn Competition finalist, April 19. String Series: Matt Haimovitz, cello, Oct. 26; Stefan Jakiw, violin, Nov. 16; Erik Schumann, violin, March 1; Roland Glassl, viola, March 15; Lara St. John, violin, April 12; Sarah Carter, cello, May 10. Chamber Music and Vocal Series: Margaret Lattimore, Mary Phillips, Elizabeth Shammash, mezzo-sopranos, Nov. 9; Steans Institute musicians, Dec. 7; John Packard, baritone, and Sari Gruber, soprano, Dec. 14; Musicians from Marlboro, April 5; Corigliano String Quartet, April 26; Christian Elsner, tenor, May 3.
University of Chicago Presents. Mandel Hall; 773-702-8068. Chamber Music Series: Tokyo String Quartet, with Philip Ying, viola, Oct. 12; Hagen Quartet, Oct. 26; Ewa Podles, contralto, and Garrick Ohlsson, piano, Nov. 16; Christian Tetzlaff, violin, and Leif Ove Andsnes, piano, Jan. 17; Brentano String Quartet, with poet Mark Strand, Feb. 22; Takacs String Quartet, with poet Robert Pinsky, April 12; Janos Starker, cello, May 3. Early Music Series: Les Arts Florissants, William Christie, conductor, Nov. 27 (Rockefeller Chapel); Andrew Manze, violin, and Richard Eggar, harpsichord, Jan. 25; Huelgas Ensemble, April 5 (Rockefeller Chapel); Micrologus, April 26. Discovery Concert: Henning Kraggerud, violin, Feb. 26.
Vermeer Quartet. DePaul University Concert Hall; 312-663-1628. All-Beethoven programs; Sept. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 24 and May 5. Guest artists Rami Solomonow, viola (Feb. 24), and Li-Kuo Chang, viola (May 5).
Orchestras, early and new music, miscellaneous
Ars Antigua. Jerry Fuller, director. Quigley Seminary Chapel, Chicago; 312-415-2391. Words and Pictures in Music, collaboration with Bella Voce and Chicago Humanities Festival, Nov. 10. Baroque Masterpieces by Monteverdi, Monteclair, Marais, Vivaldi, Bach, Jan. 12. From Mozart, with Love; collaboration with Chicago Opera Theater, Newberry Consort and Newberry Library, Feb. 14 (Newberry Library). Vocal and instrumental works by Haydn and Mozart, March 9.
Ars Musica Chicago, Andrew Schultze, director. St. Vincent DePaul Church, Chicago; 312-409-7874. Music from Versailles, Sept. 23. From the Royal Hapsburg Court, Oct. 21. Brazilian Court of Emperor John VI; March 10. From the Court of Philip II, April 14.
Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra. Alan Heatherington, conductor. North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie; 847-615-1811, 847-673-6300. Mathieu Dufour, flute, Sept. 23. Steven Honigberg, cello, Nov. 11. J. Lawrie Bloom, clarinet, Feb. 10. String orchestra program, March 17. Steinway Competition winner, May 5.
Artists Showcase West. Downers Grove North High School, Downers Grove; 630-969-2069. New York Philomusica, Oct. 14. Albert Schweitzer Woodwind Quintet, Nov. 18. Moscow String Quartet, Feb. 10. Altenberg Trio Vienna, March 3. Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, April 28.
Center East. 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie; 847-673-6300. Rachel Barton, violin, Feb. 2. Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, April 26.
Center for the Performing Arts. Governors State University, University Park; 708-235-2222. Boys Choir of Harlem, Feb. 22. Three Irish Tenors, March 9. Emile Pandolfi, piano, May 11.
Chicago Chamber Orchestra. Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center; other venues; 312-922-5570. Concerts Sunday: Oct. 7; Nov. 11; Dec. 9; Jan. 6; Feb. 17; March 17; April 14; May 3, 5, 12, 26.
Chicago Humanities Festival XII. First United Methodist Church, 77 W. Washington St.; 312-494-9509. Symphonic works by John Alden Carpenter; soloists, Park Ridge Symphony, Edgar Muenzer, conductor, Nov. 9.
Chicago Sinfonietta. Paul Freeman, conductor. Dominican University, River Forest, and Symphony Center; 312-236-3681. Yi-Jia Susanne Hou, violin; Lane Alexander, tap dancer, Sunday, Monday. Lara Webber, guest conductor; Johnny Frigo, jazz violin, Oct. 14, 17. Katinka Kleijn, cello; R. Carlos Nakai, native flute, Jan. 20, 23. Leon Bates, piano; Zdenek Tylsar, horn, March 3, 6. Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” April 15. Mary Stolper, flute; Robert Everson, timpani; Eva Rychtova, bagpipe; Stephen Alltop, organ, May 12, 13.
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. Allen Tinkham, conductor. Symphony Center, other venues; 312-939-2207, ext. 29. Lisa Steltenpohl, viola, Nov. 11, 24. Nag-Bushan Odekar premiere, April 26, May 5. Chicago Youth Concert Orchestra, Terrance Gray, conductor; Dec. 1, 12; May 12. Encore Chamber Orchestra: Dec. 22, 23; Jan. 19. Fine Artists Alumni Chamber Music Series: Nov. 15; Jan. 14; Feb. 7.
Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Symphony Center, other venues; 312-294-3000. William Eddins, conductor, Oct. 28-29. Cliff Colnot, conductor, Dec. 4, Jan. 30, Feb. 11. Conductor TBA, Dec. 5, 7. Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor, Jan. 28. David Robertson, conductor, March 11. Pinchas Zukerman, conductor; Vivian Hagner, violin, April 22-23. Anne Manson, conductor, May 20, 22. Civic Chamber Orchestra and ensembles: Oct. 7-8; Dec. 8, 9, 11; Jan. 20, 31; March 16, 25; April 8, 9, 11.
Classical Symphony Orchestra, Protege Philharmonic. Joseph Glymph, conductor. Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier, Chicago Cultural Center, other locations; 312-341-1521. Concerts Nov. 18; Dec. 9, 16; Feb. 3; March 3, 10; April 7; May 12. Chamber music concerts Feb. 24, April 28.
Community Players of Chicago. Philip Simmons, conductor. Mather High School, 5835 N. Lincoln; 847-475-4819. William Warfield, narrator and singer, Nov. 4. Yulia Lipmanovich, piano, Jan. 27. Family concert, March 10. Steve Edwards, guitar, May 5.
Concertante di Chicago. Hilel Kagan, director. DePaul University Concert Hall; 312-658-6050. The World of Impressionism, Oct. 14. Seasons, Jan. 13. Greek Independence Day Celebration, March 24. The French We Don’t Know, May 19.
CUBE Contemporary Chamber Ensemble. Patricia Morehead and Janice Misurell-Mitchell, directors. Various venues; 312-554-1133. Words and Pictures Cube’d; Chicago Humanities Festival XII, Nov. 3. Stefan Wolpe Symposium, Nov. 30. World premiere of Ilya Levinson’s monodrama “The Tell-Tale Heart,” March 8. Improv En Route, March 24. Music Today from the European Union, April 5.
Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Robert Hanson, conductor. Hemmens Theatre, Elgin; other venues; 847-888-4000. Pinchas Zukerman, violin, Sept. 22. Christopher Parkening, guitar, Oct. 5-7. Ignat Solzhenitsyn, conductor and piano, Nov. 17-18. Stephen Squires, conductor; Wendy Warner, cello, Feb. 1-3. Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” March 1-3. Ollie Watts Davis, soprano, April 5-7. Robert McDuffie, violin, May 3-5. Pops Series: Best of Broadway, Oct. 19-21; American Favorites, Jan. 18-20; Piano Pops, April 19-21. Holiday Spectacular; Dec. 7-9. Family Series: “Peter and the Wolf,” Nov. 3; Magic of Music, March 9.
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. Stephen Alltop, conductor. Various venues; 630-941-0202. Soloist Showcase, Sept. 30. Musical Magic, Oct. 13. Fabulous Four, Nov. 18. American Explorers, Feb. 9. Orchestral Brilliance, May 18.
Fulcrum Point, Stephen Burns, conductor. Columbus Drive Auditorium, other venues; 312-663-1628. Bowles, Brecht, Blues and Burlesque, Thursday. Where the Wild Things Are, Oct. 5. Musical Celestis, Dec. 18. Carnival: The Dance Rhythms of Zappa and Brazil, Feb. 12. Border Crossings, May 4.
Highland Park Strings. Francis Akos, conductor. Elm Place School, 2031 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park; 847-831-3810. David Taylor, violin, Oct. 14. Benefit concert; Eugenia Zukerman, flute, Dec. 9. Katinka Kleijn, cello; Tony Arnold, soprano, Feb. 24. Kristin Figard, viola, May 19.
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. Carmon DeLeone, conductor. Center for the Performing Arts, Governors State University, University Park; other venues; 708-481-7774. Hal Grossman, violin, and Matthew Mantell, viola, Jan. 12. Sandra Rivers, piano, Feb. 16. Hal Grossman, violin, March 16. Mark Peskanov, violin, April 20. Michael Lewin, piano, May 18. Sunday Casual Classics: Feb. 17, April 21.
Lake Forest Symphony. Alan Heatherington, conductor. Drake Theater, Barat College, Lake Forest; 847-295-2135. All-Beethoven program; Jorge Federico Osorio, piano, Friday, Saturday. All-American program, Nov. 2, 3. Stephen and Frieda Manes, duo pianos, Jan. 11, 12. Jonita Lattimore, soprano, March 1, 2. Lukas Vondracek, piano; Jennifer Frautschi, violin, May 31, June 1.
Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra. Philip Simmons, conductor. Lincolnwood Community Center, 6900 N. Lincoln, Lincolnwood; 847-674-0039. Albert Igolnikov, violin, Oct. 14. Family concert, March 17. Mendelssohn, Beethoven, May 19. Outreach concerts: Sept. 24, Nov. 20, Jan. 13, Feb. 17.
Music Institute of Chicago. Thoresen Performance Center, Winnetka; other venues; 847-446-3822. Sundays at Seven: Sept. 30, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Feb. 24, March 24, April 14. Mondays in March Series: March 4, 11, 18. Le Festival Francais, Jan. 7-Feb. 1. Music for a While: Feb. 17, March 17, April 21. Thomas Wikman lectures: Feb. 18, March 25, April 15, May 20.
Music of the Baroque. First United Methodist Church, Evanston, and other locations; 312-551-1415. Nicholas Kraemer, conductor; Handel, Bach, Telemann, Nov. 4-6. Craig Hella Johnson, conductor; holiday brass and choral concerts, Dec. 19-23. Bernard Labadie, conductor; Handel, Kuhnau, Bach and Purcell, Jan. 28, 30. Jane Glover, conductor; Mozart and Haydn, Feb. 20, 24. Kenneth Slowik, conductor; French Baroque program, March 21-22. Robert King, conductor; Venetian Splendors, April 26-29. Paul Hillier, conductor; Larry Combs, clarinet; Mighty Mannheim, May 17-20.
Newberry Consort. Mary Springfels, director. Various venues; 312-255-3700. Meadowlark and Nightingale, Sept. 27-30. Puzzles and Perfect Beauty, Nov. 15-18. In Sweetest Rejoicing, Dec. 23. Musical World of Christina of Sweden, March 7-10. Triumph of Love and Fortune, May 2-5.
Northbrook Symphony Orchestra. Lawrence Rapchak, conductor. Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook; 847-272-0755. Charles Pikler, violin, Oct. 14. Jubilate Children’s Choir, Dec. 9. Alexander Toradze, piano, Feb. 17. Glory of Bohemia, March 24. Ayano Ninomiya, violin; Steven Houser, cello; Patricia Lee, organ. May 5.
Northeastern Illinois University Jewel Box Concert Series. Fine Arts Center Recital Hall; 773-442-4636. Nazzareno Carusi, piano, Sept. 21. Lira Singers, with Pawel Checinski, piano, Oct. 19. Claire Bloom, actress, with Eugenia Zukerman, flute, Nov. 16. Honigberg Duo, Dec. 21. Vienna Waltz Ensemble, Jan. 18. PINOTAGE, Feb. 15. Rugeri Trio, March 15. Chicago String Quartet, April 19. Vermeer Quartet, May 10.
Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. Kirk Muspratt, conductor. Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, Ind.; 219-836-0525. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Sept. 20. Alan Chow, piano, Nov. 15. Rachel Barton, violin, March 21. Verdi’s “La Traviata,” with Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, May 16.
Second City Musick. John Marc Rozendaal, director. St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park; 708-547-1005. Baroque works by Bach, Simpson and Marais, Sept. 23.
Scholars of Cambrai, Gail Gillespie, director. Various venues; 708-758-3750. Resound My Voyce, Love Songs from England and Italy; Oct. 20, 21, 27.
Symphony II, Larry Rachleff, conductor. Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston; 847-866-6888. First Chairs and Friends, Oct. 28. John Browning, piano, March 24. Elmar Oliveira, violin, April 21. Charles Geyer, trumpet, May 19.
Wheaton College Artist Series. Edman Chapel, Wheaton; 630-752-5010. Kathleen Battle, soprano,; Oct. 12. Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Pavel Kogan, conductor; Vladimir Feltsman, piano, Nov. 2. The Chenaults, duo-organists, Jan. 26. BBC Concert Orchestra of London, Barry Wordsworth, conductor; Nicola Loud, violin, Feb. 8. Emerson String Quartet and Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, April 6.
Choral music, opera
American Opera Group. Paul Williams, director. Premiere of Mae Cohen’s “The Overcoat,” after Gogol’s short story. Athenaeum Theatre; Sunday; 312-902-1500.
Apollo Chorus. Stephen Alltop, director. Symphony Center, other venues; 630-960-2251. Season preview concert, Nov. 4. Handel’s “Messiah,” Dec. 18, 22. The Heavens Rejoice, Feb. 24, March 3. Haydn’s “The Creation,” April 26.
Bella Voce. Formerly His Majestie’s Clerkes; Anne Heider, director. Alice Millar Chapel, Evanston, and other locations; 312-461-0723. A Garland for Linda, Oct. 28. A Renaissance Christmas, Dec. 14-16. Beasts and Feasts, Feb. 15-17. An Easter Celebration, April 19-21.
Chicago a cappella. Jonathan Miller, director. Various venues; 773-755-1628. The intimate a cappella, Saturday; Sept. 30; Oct. 1. Holidays a cappella, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 9. Stormy Weather: Vocal Jazz and A Cappella Pop, March 2, 9, 10. Go Down, Moses, April 27, May 4, 5.
Chicago Humanities Festival XII. Museum of Contemporary Art; 312-661-1028. Chicago premiere of Thomas Ades’ opera, “Powder Her Face,” Nov. 3-4.
Chicago Master Singers. Alan Heatherington, director. Divine Word Chapel, Techny; St. Anne Church, Barrington; 847-604-1067. Bruckner and Haydn, Nov. 16, 18. Christmas Concert, Dec. 7. Carols of the Season, Dec. 14-16. Pizzetti and Verdi, April 19, 21.
Chicago Opera Theater. Brian Dickie, general director. Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave.; 312-704-8420. Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte,” Feb. 13-23. Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia,” March 13-23. Handel’s “Semele,” May 8-18.
Da Corneto Opera. Stephen Blackwelder, conductor. Church of St. Hilary, Chicago, and other locations; 847-662-2694. Opera favorites, Saturday; Sept. 16. Italian opera gala, Oct. 10. Verdi’s “I Lombardi” (Chicago premiere), Oct. 14, 21. Da Corneto retrospective, Nov. 11.
Elgin Choral Union. Randi von Ellefson, director. Various venues; 847-214-7225. Mozart’s Requiem, Nov. 10. Songs of the Holiday Season, Dec. 15. Verdi’s Requiem, May 11.
William Ferris Chorale. Mt. Carmel Church, 690 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-325-2000. Paul French, conductor; Christmas with the Chorale, Dec. 7. David Willcocks, conductor; King’s College Remembered, Feb. 8. Philip Morehead, conductor; Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” March 22. Michael Teolis, conductor; My Lord, What a Morning; Justin Kolb, piano; CUBE Contemporary Music Ensemble, May 17. Philip Glass’ opera “Galileo, Galilei.” Goodman Theatre; 312-443-3800. World premiere, adapted, directed by Mary Zimmerman, June 14-July 20.
Jubilate Opera Gala. Benefiting Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House. DePaul Merle Reskin Theatre. Susanne Mentzer, Renee Fleming, Ben Heppner, David Daniels, other singers, Oct. 7.
Light Opera Works, Lara Teeter, artistic director. Cahn Auditorium and Second Stage, Evanston; 847-869-6300. Cole Porter’s “You Never Know,” Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Romberg’s “The Student Prince,” Dec. 22-31.
Opera Theatre of Highland Park. Formerly Opera Studio; Marla Forbes, general director. Highland Park Community House and North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie; 847-831-2938. Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat), Jan. 18-20. Verdi’s “La Traviata,” April 20, 21, 28.
