“She doesn’t have to choose between being gentle or being fierce. Both exist in nature, and both exist in her. That’s ok. She’ll know to nourish them both and when applicable, use each unapologetically.” – S. Maraboli
On the heels of its rousing MLK Tribute concert in January, Chicago Sinfonietta (CS) returns to Wentz Concert Hall with UNAPOLOGETIC, a daring, inspirational, and courageous celebration of women. The performance, scheduled at 8PM for March 18, is the third in a series of four this season and embodies CS’s mission of advocating for “diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating community through bold symphonic experiences.”
Maestra Mei-Ann Chen, CS’s music director since 2011, explains, “The upcoming UNAPOLOGETIC program is Chicago Sinfonietta’s continued championing of women.” The concert includes Tania LEÓN’s Stride, a Pulitzer Prize-winning piece commissioned as part of a project inspired by feminist Susan B. Anthony to commemorate the historic 19th Amendment that gave American women the right to vote. Also featured is artist Rachel Barton Pine who performs Florence Price’s rarely heard melodic Violin Concerto No. 2, a piece discovered in a house outside of Chicago 50 years after it was composed. The program concludes with the ever-popular Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, a symphonic suite inspired by the courageous, intelligent protagonist of the Middle Eastern folktale, The Arabian Nights. Chen adds, “the famous heroine Scheherazade provides the orchestra an opportunity to shine through splendid orchestral colors!”
Scheherazade is not the only one that will bring vibrancy to the Wentz stage that night. Along with the musicians, Chen is an exuberant and dynamic leader whose energy fills the auditorium and captivates audiences with her passion and vigor. She is a world-renowned conductor in high demand and has led over 110 orchestras nationally and internationally throughout her tenure.
The western suburbs have embraced the CS since it began its partnership with North Central College over a decade ago. Blake-Anthony Johnson, president and CEO of the 35-year-old organization, is most grateful for the relationship.
“Wentz Concert Hall has been a wonderfully supportive and steadfast collaborator with Chicago Sinfonietta for years. Sharing our music outside of Chicago is very important to our mission as is reaching as many people in the community as we can.”
Tickets are now available at Wentz Concert Hall. $54 – $67.
UNAPOLOGETIC
Wentz Concert Hall
171 East Chicago Ave. Naperville, IL
8PM – March 18
Tickets: $54-67
finearts.northcentralcollege.edu
(630) 637-7469
