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Chicago Symphony Orchestra Opening Night Gala
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Charles Dutoit leads the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra and soloist Lang Lang in Chopin's Piano
Concerto No. 2.
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The
Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) kicked off its 118th season with
a special Opening Night Gala performance on Saturday, September 20,
2008, featuring superstar pianist Lang Lang and conductor Charles
Dutoit. The Orchestra performed Mussorgsky's beloved "Pictures
from an Exhibition" and Sibelius' grand "Finlandia," and
Lang Lang joined the CSO for Chopin's exquisite Piano Concerto No.
2.
After the concert, gala guests were transported via trolley to a
special tent at Millennium Park, outfitted in lavish decorations
inspired by the Northern Lights. The CSO's Opening Night Gala
was generously sponsored by BP. This year's Opening Night chairs
were Chester A. Gougis and Shelley Ochab.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Opening Night Gala marks the start
of the season-long "Echoes of Nations" theme, an exploration
of music that reflects the distinctiveness and unique traditions
of cultures from around the world. This focus--which features
nearly 40 Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Center Presents
concert programs, complemented by lectures, poetry readings and multimedia
events--celebrates composers who embraced the sounds of their native
cultures, particularly language and folk melodies, and incorporated
them into their own musical styles.
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Crystal Ashby of Gala sponsor BP; William Osborn, CSO chairman; and Gala co-chairs Chester A. Gougis, and Shelley Ochab.
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William Osborn and Cathy Osborn.
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Robert Beatty and CSO life trustee Fran Beatty.
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Lang Lang with Shelley Ochab and Chester A. Gougis.
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John Kern and CSO life trustee Anne Kern.
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CSO trustee Joseph Glossberg and Madeleine Glossberg.
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CSO trustee H. John Livingston and his wife.
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Melissa Fadim and CSO trustee James Fadim.
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CSO trustee Penny Van Horn and John Van Horn with Lang Lang.
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Bill Dooley and Willie Dooley.
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Dora Aalbregtse and John Aalbregtse.
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CSO trustee John Hart and Carol Prins.
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The gala tent in Millennium Park.
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| Photos: Dan Rest/courtesy Chicago Symphony Orchestra |
