Presented by Mesa Arts Center

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Born in Naples, Italy, Riccardo Muti is one of the preeminent conductors of our day. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s distinguished tenth music director from 2010 until 2023, Muti became the Music Director Emeritus for Life beginning with the 2023–24 Season.

Muti’s leadership has been distinguished by the strength of his artistic partnership with the Orchestra; his dedication to performing great works of the past and present, including seventeen world premieres to date; the enthusiastic reception he and the CSO have received on national and international tours; and twelve recordings on the CSO Resound label, with three Grammy awards among them. In addition, Muti’s contributions to the cultural life of Chicago—with performances throughout its many neighborhoods and at Orchestra Hall—have made a lasting impact on the city.

Before becoming the CSO’s music director, Muti had more than forty years of experience at the helm of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (1968–1980), the Philharmonia Orchestra (1972–1982), the Philadelphia Orchestra (1980–1992), and Teatro alla Scala (1986–2005). Over the course of his career, Muti has conducted the most important orchestras in the world. He is linked by particularly close and important ties to the Vienna Philharmonic, with which he has appeared at the Salzburg Festival since 1971 and of which he is an honorary member.

Muti has received innumerable international honors. He is a Cavaliere di Gran Croce of the Italian Republic, Knight Commander of the British Empire, Commander of the French Legion of Honor, Knight of the Grand Cross First Class of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, and the recipient of the German Verdienstkreuz, Japan’s Praemium Imperiale and Order of the Rising Sun Gold and Silver Star, Austria’s Great Golden Decoration of Honor, as well as the "Presidente della Repubblica" award from the Italian government.

The label RMMMUSIC is responsible for Riccardo Muti’s recordings.

Program

Brahms: Symphony No 4    

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Stravinsky: Divertimento from “The Fairy’s Kiss”

Ravel: Bolero