Making her Ravinia debut, “tour-de-force” conductor (Chicago Tribune) Lidiya Yankovskaya leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a captivating program that begins with Wagner’s Tannhäuser Overture, a stirring introduction to the opera’s themes of love, redemption, and spiritual struggle. With its sweeping melodies and profound emotional depth, the overture sets the stage for a passionate exploration of the human heart, where the sensual allure of love ultimately gives way to a triumphant quest for salvation.
Next, violin virtuoso Ray Chen takes center stage for Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, the proverbial “richest, most seductive” violin concerto in the classical canon. The piece, brimming with sweeping lyricism and virtuosic brilliance, showcases Chen’s extraordinary technique and emotional expressiveness.
The program concludes with Debussy’s La mer, a sublime depiction of the sea’s ever-changing moods. From its gentle pitter-patter sprays to the powerful swell of crashing waves, the piece immerses listeners in the mystique and energy of the ocean.
