Ravinia Festival: On the Movies

Ravinia Festival: On the Movies brings the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to life with a stunning celebration of how original orchestral music shapes the magic of film. Under the baton of Marin Alsop, the celebrated conductor and co‑curator of the concert, the CSO explores “Music’s descriptive magic,” a program written by women and about women. Alsop partners with Emmy‑winning composer Laura Karpman, whose 30‑year career spans prestige TV, documentary, game, and Marvel scores, and who has worked with Francis Ford Coppola, Cord Jefferson, Nia DaCosta, and Steven Spielberg. Karpman, nominated for an Oscar in 2024 for *American Fiction*, demonstrates how music can sharpen a film scene’s drama and uncover hidden layers of meaning. Performances by Alsop and the CSO showcase Karpman’s insights as she guides the audience through iconic movie moments, revealing the powerful role of music in storytelling. The program also shines a spotlight on women composers long under‑represented on screen, featuring work by Shirley Walker, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Rachel Portman, and Chanda Dancy. Karpman debuts her new work *Unsung*, giving voice to iconic female characters who have never had their own theme, while Taki Alsop Fellowship holder Chi‑Yuan Lin leads thrilling renditions of John Williams’ *Star Wars* themes and Natalie Holt’s first foray into the franchise. As the centerpiece of the fifth Breaking Barriers Festival, the concert bookends a pre‑concert panel and an extended live demonstration of music setting film moods, offering fans an immersive glimpse into the art of cinematic orchestration. For details and tickets, visit the official link.