Ravinia Preview: August 26-28

Devilish Virtuosity 
Winner of the 2008 Yehudi Menuhin Competition and the 2009 Queen Elisabeth Competition, Ray Chen is considered one of the most gripping violinists to date. He has captivated audiences and critics everywhere, including his most recent performance, a debut recital at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The Washington Post says, ”Chen can do pretty much anything he wants on the violin,” while the Chicago Tribune adds, “Keep your ear on Ray Chen…he’s an exceptional talent.”
Friday, August 26 at 6 p.m.
Bennett Gordon Hall
Tickets free to $10

Tony Bennett’s 85th Birthday Concert
Spend an evening with Tony Bennett, where the performer and his music are celebrated with a memorable evening concert. Bennett takes the stage on Friday night and is sure to rouse audiences with his silky voice, jazzy poetry and (amazingly still) his smooth dance moves.  Come witness one of music’s “godfathers” as he takes the stage to celebrate his 85th birthday with Highland Park.
Friday, August 26 at 8:30 p.m.
The Pavilion
Tickets $34 to $91

Chicago
Coming back where it all started, Chicago performs the first of a two night concert series on Saturday night, with their encore presentation on Sunday night. The self-described “rock and roll band with horns,” Chicago had a steady stream of hits through the 70s and 80s (second only to the Beach Boys in terms of Billboard singles) and are responsible for such hits as “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon,” “Colour My World” and “Where Do We Go From Here.”  With two concerts over the weekend, make sure Chicago is on your list of performances to see.
Saturday, August 27 and Sunday August 28 at 7:30 p.m.
The Pavilion
Tickets $33 to $80

Vocalist Laura Benanti
Direct from Broadway, Laura Benanti earned the 2008 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her portrayal of Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy. She recently starred in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at Lincoln Center where she also starred in last year’s In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play. Already a prolific Broadway actor, Benanti has demonstrated her range as an actress and singer in over a dozen plays. Bananti premiered her solo show at the Kennedy Center in 2010 and has appeared on several TV shows including Life on Mars and Starved. Her talents are unrivaled and you’ll be witness her rich voice as she takes the Bennett Gordon Hall stage on Saturday night.
Saturday, August 27 at 8:30pm
Bennett Gordon Hall
Tickets $10

Bailey’s Bach
A 2000 Ravinia Rising Star, cellist Zuill Bailey returns to Ravinia Festival to perform his acclaimed interpretation of the cello repertoire.  His recordings of Bach have soared to the top of Billboard’s classical chart. Reviewers such at the Philadelphia Inquirer said of Bailey’s recording: “[its] headed for classical status thanks to the combination of vision, temperament and technique.”  Bailey puts his fingers to the strings for Bach’s “Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello.” It is an evening that will round out a magical musical weekend Ravinia has put together.
Sunday, August 28 at 6pm
Bennett Gordon Hall
Tickets $10

For details and further ticket information, visit www.ravinia.org.