Elgin Symphony to present ‘Time Warp - The Music of Rocky Horror’ in new season

Vocalists will join Elgin Symphony Orchestra for “Time Warp – The Music of Rocky Horror” in performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, in downtown Elgin.

Jeans ‘n Classics will be guest artists for the concert, guest conducted by Stephen Squires.

Tickets are available at 847-888-4000, www.elginsymphony.org or in person at the ESO box office, 20 S. DuPage Court, Elgin, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The ESO’s 2021-22 season includes a variety of classic and contemporary works, as well as fun holiday and family programs. Globally acclaimed conductors and celebrated guest artists will join award-winning ESO musicians in a season that offers everything from Brahms to The Beatles, a news release stated.

“We are thrilled to bring people together again indoors to experience live music, and have planned a season that offers something for everyone in our community,” said Marc Thayer, chief executive officer at the ESO, in the release. “We are dedicated to providing world-class entertainment in the northwest suburbs.”

Performances take place at The Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, the Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake, and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.

A variety of subscription packages are also available. All subscribers receive ticket discounts on subsequent ticket purchases, have no-fee ticket exchanges, and can receive a 50% discount on valet parking vouchers. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more.

The Classics

The works of Respighi, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart, Barber, Copland, Dvořák, Tallis, Vaughn Williams, Mendelssohn, Montgomery, Schumann, Wagner, Shostakovich, Miller and Rachmaninoff are featured in The Classics series, which includes the following performances.

Unless otherwise noted, concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays in The Hemmens Cultural Center.

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5

Dates: Nov. 6 and 7

Program: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: “Le nozze di Figaro,” K.492: Overture

Dmitry Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1, op.107

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, op.64

Guest Artist: Gabriel Martin, cello

Guest Conductor: Anna Rakitina

Brahms Symphony No. 2

Jan. 8 and 9

Richard Wagner Overture to “Flying Dutchman” WWV 63

Clara Schumann Piano Concerto, op.7, A minor

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2, op.73, D major

Guest Artist: Schaghajegh Nosrati, piano

Guest Conductor: Lidiya Yankovskaya

Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’

Feb. 5 and 6

Jessie Montgomery: “Starburst”

Felix Mendelssohn: Concerto, Violin, op.64, E minor

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, op.55 E-flat major (“Eroica”)

Guest Artist: Randall Goosby, violin

Guest Conductor: Ankush Bahl

Mozart Requiem

March 5 and 6

Thomas Tallis: “Why fum’th in fight”

Ralph Vaughan Williams: “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem, K.626

Guest Artists: Amanda Forsythe, soprano; Amanda Crider, mezzo; James Reese, tenor; Jonathan Woody, bass

Guest Conductor: Matthew Halls

‘Old American Songs’

April 2 and 3

Samuel Barber: “The School for Scandal” – Overture

Aaron Copland: “Old American Songs”

Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, op.95, B.178, E minor (“From the New World”)

Guest Artist: Ryan Speedo Green, Bass Baritone

Guest Conductor: Jose Luis Gomez

Special Events

The following family favorites, like this month’s “Time Warp” concert, combine contemporary hits with the beauty of the symphony.

The Film Music of John Williams

7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, The Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin

3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, The Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin

Guest Conductor: Stephen Squires

Holiday Spectacular

8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, Raue Center For The Arts, Crystal Lake

Noon and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, The Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, The Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin

Guest Conductor: Andrew Lewis

Guest Chorus: Elgin Master Chorale

‘Sergeant Pepper’

7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, The Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin

3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, The Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin

Guest Artist: Jeans ’n Classics

Guest Conductor: Stephen Squires

Mariachi!

April 30 and May 1

Guest Artist: Mariachi Acero

Guest Conductor: Arturo Rodriguez

‘Scheherazade’ on the Farm

7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11, The Venue at Goebbert’s, Pingree Grove

3 p.m. Sunday, June 12, The Venue at Goebbert’s, Pingree Grove

Michael Daugherty: “Raise the Roof” Timpani Concerto

Rimsky Korsakov: “Scheherazade,” op.35

Guest Artist: Robert Everson, timpani

Guest Conductor: Andrew Grams

About the Elgin Symphony Orchestra

The ESO was founded in 1950 and became a fully professional ensemble in 1985. Over its history, the ESO has featured a roster of legendary soloists, including classical music legends Yo Yo Ma, Kathleen Battle, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zucherman, Sir James Galloway and James Ehnes. The ESO has been named Orchestra of the Year four times by the Illinois Council of Orchestras (1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016).

A community organization that draws its creativity and artistry from the Elgin area, the ESO is dedicated to giving back to the areas it serves. Ensemble members regularly perform at local hospitals and hospice centers, offer music education programs within local schools, and provide free experiences through the Listeners Club and open-to-the-public rehearsals.

The ESO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. To learn more or to support the ESO, visit www.elginsymphony.org.