Grant Park Music Festival Begins June 12, 2013

CHICAGO - May 28, 2013 - PRLog -- The Grant Park Music Festival will return to Chicago and kick off its 2013 summer run on Wednesday, June 12th. This hit music festival – the only free, outdoor, live classical music festival in the country – is housed in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (http://www.conciergepreferred.com/attractions/122-chicago-points-of-interest-millennium-park-guide.html), and entertains thousands of classical music fans each year. The festival generally hosts performances on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings all summer long.

The History

Dating back to the 1930s, symphonic concerts in Chicago have been an important part of the city’s cultural scene, especially during the summer months. In 1944, the Chicago Park District formed the Grant Park Orchestra, which grew in popularity during the following decades, under the direction of a series of talented conductors. Today, under the direction of Principle Conductor Carlos Kalmar and Chorus Director Christopher Bell, the Grant Park Music Festival has achieved a world-class standard for classical music, and offers these wonderful concerts to all of Chicago for free.

The Venue

As an added bonus, the established home of the Grant Park Music Festival is a gem in itself. Built in 2004, and designed by Frank Gehry, the state-of-the-art Jay Pritzker Pavilion now houses the majority of Millennium Park music events, including most of the Grant Park Music Festival performances (though occasional indoor performances are held in The Harris Theater for Music and Dance).

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion provides attendees with a stunning atmosphere and ample seating. Seating is available both in the Seating Bowl which opens 90 minutes before the scheduled concert start time, as well as on the Great Lawn which is open all afternoon and provides a great place for those wishing to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Food and drink are permitted in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and picnics are encouraged in both seating areas. However, any coolers or picnic baskets brought into the Seating Bowl must fit beneath the seats to ensure that there is enough space. Food and beverages are also available for purchase at the Goose Island concession tent.

The Music

The 2013 Grant Park Music Festival schedule (http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/the-music/2013-season) can be found online and there are many highlights. This year’s Grant Park Music Festival will open on Wednesday, June 12th, with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony by the Grant Park Orchestra, conducted by Carlos Kalmar, and the special festival-debut of young violinist Stefan Jackiw with Mozart’s Turkish Concerto. Later in the line-up, on July 10th, the Grant Park Orchestra presents an evening of dance melodies, as conducted by Jeff Tyzik. Then in August on the 16th and 17th the festival wraps up with The Rite of Spring, a performance of John Adam’s Harmonium (a setting of poems by John Donne and Emily Dickinson) which premiered 100 years ago.

Concierge Provides Chicago Info All Year Long

When it comes to live music and other great Chicago events, Concierge Preferred is in the know for more great music events hitting town this season, be sure to check out Concierge Preferred’s guide to Summer Concerts in Chicago (http://www.conciergepreferred.com/chicago-festivals/5247-...), to find other great music this season.