Natalie Dessay: “In Dessay, the gods have created an operatic ideal, a breathtaking fusion of motion, personality, and vocal virtuosity.”
- Opera News

Nicole Cabell: “A recital that takes her with extreme accomplishment through a varied programme. . . Perhaps the French pieces suit her best of all.”
- Alan Blythe, The Gramophone, review of CD

Nathan Gunn: “Vital, vibrant, and drop-dead handsome”
- Chicago Tribune

“This three-concert event (in Carnegie Hall) affirmed the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as one of the orchestral world’s most vibrant, versatile instruments – and its leader as an artist whose range and musicality are appreciable.”
- Andante

For our annual fall visit to Chicago, we have planned a compact three-night weekend beginning in late October to take advantage of the season’s undisputed musical highlights. We are delighted that all three evenings will be devoted to masterworks of the French repertoire.

While it is notoriously difficult to obtain tickets for the Lyric Opera, we are able to offer excellent top-price orchestra locations for two proven productions of French operatic milestones. First, today’s reigning lyric coloratura soprano Natalie Dessay will sing the title role of Jules Massenet’s Manon opposite the romantic German tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Count Des Grieux. Second will be Georges Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers, set in exotic ancient Ceylon and imbued with his melodic genius. Bizet’s popular rarity will be sung by an ideal cast featuring soprano Nicole Cabell as the priestess Leila and tenor Eric Cutler and baritone Nathan Gunn as her rival suitors. These two evenings promise to be the most thrilling productions of the Lyric’s season.

Our third musical event will be a spectacular concert in the hallowed ambience of Orchestra Hall, where the revered Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be led by guest conductor Charles Dutoit, recently named Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor for the Philadelphia Orchestra. Maestro Dutoit has announced a program of Hector Berlioz’ full-length dramatic symphony, The Damnation of Faust, which will be presented in its entirety. The vocal soloists will include mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer, tenor Gregory Kunde, bass Jonathan Lemalu, and baritone David Wilson-Johnson.

Late October is the perfect time of the year for pre-holiday shopping along Chicago’s ‘Magnificent Mile’ and for a visit to the priceless Art Institute of Chicago. We have again selected the Hilton Suites Hotel (which boasts a suite for every accommodation) for its unbeatable location in the heart of the city’s finest stores. A Saturday night stay-over is included to assure optimum air fares.

Accommodations for three nights at the deluxe Hilton Suites Hotel (formerly the Doubletree), a creative alternative to the large commercial hotels along Michigan Avenue. This quiet property enjoys a location only a block off the ‘Magnificent Mile’, within a stone’s throw of the Watertower and the Bloomingdale’s mall of luxury shops. The Museum of Contemporary Art is also within a few minutes’ walk. In keeping with the festive nature of our holiday weekend, each of our Tour members will be accommodated in the comfort of a suite. The hotel’s dining facilities include one of our favorite restaurants, Mrs. Park’s Tavern, for breakfast and convenient meals. The lobby also contains a small café for early morning coffee and pastries and late afternoon cappuccino.

Our recent travelers have been particularly grateful for the Hilton’s suite accommodations, the optimum location, and the appealing dining room.