Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop Extends Contract Until 2025

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Marin Alsop is due to remain Ravinia's chief conductor through the summer of 2025. Festival officials on Thursday announced Alsop had agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Ravinia Festival Association.

After the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the cancelation of live performances for the 2020 Ravinia Festival season, last summer was Alsop's first complete season in the post.

In addition to curating and leading three weeks of Chicago Symphony Orchestra shows, Alsop will also work closely with the festival's educational programs, Reach Teach Play, festival officials announced.

Alsop will also curate a new annual festival called Breaking Barriers, which aims to honor diverse artists and leaders of the present and future of classical music. This year's Breaking Barriers Festival, scheduled to take place from July 29 to July 31, will focus on women conductors and the role of mentors.

“Marin Alsop’s leadership and mentorship continue to inspire a diverse range of artists to shape the future of classical music,” Ravinia Festival President and CEO Jeff Haydon said in a statement. “Ravinia is thrilled to extend Marin’s partnership and to expand her leadership of our presentations by establishing the annual Breaking Barriers Festival. We’re also eager to have her connect again with our education programs, Reach Teach Play.”

In addition to her roles with Ravinia, where she debuted with the orchestra in 2002, Alsop is also chief conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, according to a biography on her website. In 2020, she was also appointed as the first music director of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival at the University of Maryland and is an artist-in-residence for 2021-22 at the Aspen Institute Arts Program.

Before the Breaking Barriers Festival wraps up Alsop's residency this year, she is due to conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for two weeks of performances.

The schedule for the remaining three weeks of shows of this year's CSO residency is due to be released on March 24, along with the rest of the festival's 2022 lineup.

Tickets to upcoming Ravinia performances go on sale to donors on March 30, and the public can buy tickets starting on May 4.

Related: Ravinia Festival Names Marin Alsop Chief Conductor And Curator

Alsop, who is the first person to ever hold the title of chief conductor at Ravinia, she was thrilled to continue her partnership with Ravinia leadership and the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

In a statement accompanying the announcement of her contract extension and the establishment of the new festival, she cited the important role of Chicago Symphony Chorus founder Margaret Hillis, who led the ensemble for 37 years.

“Gender equality and representation in music are areas I’ve focused on during my entire career, and it’s gratifying to work with partners who support and champion positive change in our industry," Alsop said. "Building on the legacy of Margaret Hillis during her 100th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to look back and also look forward. I’m excited to introduce audiences to a new generation of artists this summer and in the coming years.”