The Chicago Sinfonietta's annual tribute concert to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is always a deeply meaningful event. This year's two concerts, performed at Lund Auditorium at Dominican University, 7900 W. Division in River Forest on Sunday, January 18, at 3 p.m., and at Chicago's Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Avenue on the official holiday, Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m., are even more significant with the with the inauguration of the nation's first African-American president Barack Obama on January 20.
Maestro Paul Freeman directs both performances, which include Beethoven's 'Leonore Overture, No 3', Camille Saint-Saëns' 'Cello Concerto No. 1' featuring award-winning cellist Patrice Jackson, and 'Symphony No.1, Mvt. 2 (Largo)', composed by former Project Inclusion fellow Stefan L. Smith, during which a special guest will narrate excerpts from Dr. King's famous 1965 speech, ''Our God is Marching On''.
The 200-voice Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir and its director, Mark Jordan, will conclude this year's performance with a selection of gospel music and traditional songs including 'A Mighty Fortress,' 'Agnus Dei,' 'You Don't Know Like I Know,' 'All Rise,' and 'I'm So Glad I'm Free' ending with 'We Shall Overcome' with audience participation.
Ticket prices range from $26-$40 for concerts at Lund Auditorium and from $26-$96 for concerts at Orchestra Hall, with special pricing available for children and students. Call 312-236-3681 ext. 2, or visit www.chicagosinfonietta.org.