Taking a step toward resuming pre-pandemic conditions, the Ravinia Festival announced that it plans to reopen in July for the 2021 summer season, presenting its signature mix of classical, popular, and chamber music programming.
A press release stated that “the health of audiences, artists, community and staff has been prioritized in accordance with guidance from state and local health officials and consultation with Northwestern Medicine.”
All concerts at Ravinia this summer will take place outside in the open-air Pavilion; have a reduced audience capacity; and feature reserved-in-advance, distanced seating in the Pavilion, Lawn and dining facilities. The number of artists on stage will also be reduced, in order to allow for proper distancing between performers.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will return to Ravinia in July for its six-week summer residency. Conductor Marin Alsop will lead seven concerts with the orchestra in her first season as Ravinia’s chief conductor and curator.
The full lineup of 2021 concerts will be announced in late April along with the protocols for attendance.