CSO Once Upon a Symphony's "The Bremen Town Musicians" Comes to the MAC May 7

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) Once Upon A Symphony®, in partnership with the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage presents a musical telling of the classic German folk tale, “The Bremen Town Musicians” at Glen Ellyn’s MAC Sunday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Pre-concert activities begin 45 minutes before the performance in the MAC lobby. This production is recommended for ages 3 and up.

“The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has some of the best artists in the world,” MAC Director Diana Martinez said. “Experiencing live music, especially from artists of this caliber, combined with an engaging actor performing a classic tale is a great way for families to come together and enjoy the world of music and theater.”

Once Upon a Symphony’s “The Bremen Town Musicians” is an adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale about four farm animals who have each been put out to pasture, so they set off for the town of Bremen where they dream of becoming musicians. Along the way, these four friends discover that they can make beautiful music together, which gives them the courage they need when they encounter a house full of scadiddling squirrels. The production is brought to life with live music featuring Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians, vivid storytelling, costumes, sets and images in a live musical experience. Children will experience the magic of the Musicians’ adventures and understand the inner courage that lies within everyone.

The ensemble for Once Upon a Symphony’s® “The Bremen Town Musicians” includes CSO’s Mihaela Ionescu, (violin), and David Griffin (horn). Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra’s Susan Warner (clarinet), Civic Orchestra of Chicago Fellow Midori Samson (bassoon) with Chicago-based actor and musician Patrick Budde (storyteller) complete the cast.

“Once Upon a Symphony® offers children, parents and grandparents a wonderful and unique introduction to the world of classical music with amazingly talented musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. We are immensely pleased to have the opportunity to share this production with Chicago’s west suburbs and the MAC,” said Jon Weber, Director of School and Family Programs for the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO.

Once Upon a Symphony® is a program of the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO and is traditionally presented in collaboration with Chicago Children’s Theatre in Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center in Chicago. The productions, created specifically for the CSO’s youngest audience members, blend together vibrant music performed by CSO musicians, engaging storytelling and delightful sets and costumes created by Chicago Children’s Theatre for a playful, accessible concert experience. More information about the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO is available at cso.org/institute.

The CSO performs more than 150 concerts each year, in collaboration with the best conductors and guest artists on the international music scene, at its downtown home, Symphony Center and at the Ravinia Festival on Chicago’s North Shore. Music lovers outside Chicago enjoy the sounds of the CSO through its recordings on the CSO Resound label, weekly radio broadcasts and tour performances in the United States and around the globe. For more information visit cso.org.

“The Bremen Town Musicians,” a CSO Once Upon a Symphony® program, comes to Glen Ellyn’s McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Sunday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Pre-concert activities begin 45 minutes before the performance. Tickets for the performance are $16 adult /$14 youth. For tickets visit AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000.