Although the climate is still rather cool, Ravinia Summer Festival has kicked off its music and cultural activities for a pleasant season of musical delight.
Ravinia Festival Music Director James Colon has announced the landmark series featuring an array of spectacular artists, including mezzosoprano Denyce Graves, soprano Nicole Cabell and the legendary pianist Ramsey Lewis. This summer’s lineup consists of many classical and talented individuals who are expected to dance, sing and perform on their chosen instruments, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will also accompany some of these great performers. The three African American international stars, Graves, Cabell and Lewis are being presented in a different manner at this year’s outdoor festival.
The two opera stars Graves and Cabell have thrilled audiences in many opera houses of the world and the Ravinia will bring both vocalists to the Martin Theatre Concert Hall. Graves will be accompanied by the Steams Institute Vocal Program Director Brian Zeger on June 25, and Cabell will be assisted by pianist Janet Tang on Thursday, July 31.
A graceful opera star, Graves is currently the reigning diva in the operatic world. Last season she was featured in premiere performances at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She was the soloist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s foundation benefit concert and was the featured artist for the Chicago Sinfonietta in March.
Her most prominent roles are in Carmen, Samson et Dalila and Werther. Cabell, from Panorama City, Calif. joined the Lyric Opera of Chicago Center for American Artists after finishing Julliard School of Music in New York City. She was the 2005 winner of the British Broadcasting Company Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
Last season she sang a principal role in Lyric Opera’s Puccini’s La Boheme and returns this year in the role of Leila in George Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers. Masterful piano man Lewis has certainly developed as one of entertainment’s most significant pianist and is acclaimed as the giant of jazz. Still, many in the music world are unaware that Lewis is an expert classical artist as well.
Last year, Lewis created his first ballet that was choreographed by Donald Byrd entitled To Know Her, which was commissioned by The Joyce Theater’s Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work. The Ramsey Lewis Trio and Dave Brubeck Quartet are booked for June 21 in the Pavilion, which introduces the Ravinia Jazz Festival Band fronted by Russell Gloyd with special guest the Turtle Island Quartet.
Later, Lewis will also perform with Kurt Elling and Ernie Watts on Sept. 12.
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