Symphony Ball With Klaus Mäkelä – Symphony Center Chicago, Chicago

Date: Saturday, 10 October 2026
Time: 18:30
Duration: 01:30
Venue: Symphony Center Chicago
Address: 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
City: Chicago
Organisation: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Price range: 55 $

About this event

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Symphony Ball features Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä in a festive gala program at Symphony Center’s Orchestra Hall on October 10 at 6:30 PM. The evening pairs Stravinsky’s vivid ballet score Petrushka with Walton’s mighty Belshazzar’s Feast, a dramatic cantata for baritone, chorus, and large orchestra. Baritone Thomas Hampson joins Mäkelä and the Chicago Symphony Chorus (directed by Donald Palumbo) for Walton’s choral showcase. The celebration includes a preconcert gathering at 5:30 PM, a VIP reception, and a postconcert dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Estimated concert duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets start at $55 via the CSO Box Office and Order.CSO.org, with gala inquiries handled at symphonyball@cso.org or 312-294-3185.

Cast & creative

Baritone
Thomas Hampson
Conductor
Klaus Mäkelä
Conductor
Klaus Mäkelä
D
Chorusmaster
Donald Palumbo
D
Chorus Director
Donald Palumbo
I
Composer
Igor Stravinsky
A
Librettist
Alexandre Benois