Grant Park Music Festival caps summer 2025 season with ‘Carmina Burana’ Aug. 15-16
Grant Park Music Festival Artistic Director/Principal Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero conducts the final concerts of the Festival’s summer 2025 season at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St. in Chicago.
A highlight of the program will be “Carmina Burana” with critically acclaimed guest vocalists Jana McIntyre (soprano), Reginald Mobley (countertenor) and Troy Cook (baritone), plus the United Voices Chicago children’s choir.
Composed by Germany’s Carl Orff (1895-1982), “Carmina Burana” is one of the most popular modern choral works. It is based on 24 poems written in the Middle Ages that are largely bawdy and satirical. The LA Times calls the “Carmina Burana” one of the more accessible and infectious concerts works of the last century.” It has been referenced in numerous movies, and commercials including those for Gatorade and Domino’s Pizza.
The program also includes Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Russian Easter Overture,” and Alan Hovhaness’ Symphony No. 2, “Mysterious Mountain.”
Attendees can secure a reserved seat with a One Night Pass or Membership, or grab a free seat in the back half of the Seating Bowl (first-come, first-served basis) or on their blanket or chair on the Great Lawn. The city of Chicago requires that all patrons attending any concert or event in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion enter from either Randolph or Monroe Streets or from the Millennium Garage. Visitors should allow extra time to go through security checks. More info is available at gpmf.org.
For more than 90 years, The Grant Park Music Festival has been a Chicago summer tradition bringing Chicagoans and visitors from around the world to enjoy free classical music, performed by the Festival’s world-class orchestra and chorus. Attracting hundreds or thousands of concertgoers every year, the Festival provides a transformative impact on the city. For more information about Grant Park Music Festival, visit gpmf.org.