See 'The Lord of the Rings' With the CSO

As if The Lord of the Rings isn’t epic enough, will be taking the J.R.R. Tolkien experience one step further Thursday and Friday.

Part of the ongoing celebration of its 75th annual summer residency at Ravinia, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform the film score live as The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is projected on two large screens on the lawn and pavilion stage.

, Ravinia’s Director of Communications, said the CSO, led by conductor Ludwig Wicki, would remain faithful to Howard Shore’s original Oscar-winning score. Pullia predicted that it would be a “haunting experience.” 

“It’s amazing to watch a classic film you know and love, but hear the music played live by a beautifully talented and several-layered orchestra,” Pullia said.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. both evenings. Accompanying the CSO will be vocals by soprano Kaitlyn Lusk, alto Henry Griffin, The Lakeside Singers, Chicago Chorale and the Chicago Children’s Choir.

Pullia said a past version of this event was very popular and featured The Wizard of Oz. He said Ravinia chose The Lord of the Rings this year because, like The Wizard of Oz, it is a fantasy film and is set in an exotic locale.

“Since The Lord of the Rings takes place mostly in a wooded area, it will be especially cool to be watching it in Ravinia’s wooded park, surrounded by nature,” Pullia said.

Other related activities will complement the experience before the film. Immediately prior to the screening, a live Twitter feed will be projected, to spread the growing excitement throughout Ravinia and to followers at home. Both evenings, Doug Adams, author of the book The Music of the Lord of the Rings, will sign books beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Pullia said he predicts that some people will come in costume. For those who are always a little Hobbit-like, Ravinia.org is currently hosting a “Hairiest Feet Photo Contest.” Three winners will receive free tickets to the performance and a DVD or Blu-Ray box set of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

A second contest held on Twitter asks followers to submit funny or creative photo captions. Winners will receive a Ravinia prize package and tickets to the event. 

Pullia said he expects a large attendance, and he hopes that this event will help expose some people to a new type of music. 

“I found my way to classical music through movie scores,” Pullia said. “We hope people will come to the movie, hear how great the orchestra sounds and then try out other classical music.”

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