(SF, 22 February 2021) Riccardo Muti celebrates his 80th birthday this summer as well as the 50th anniversary of his Salzburg Festival debut. In recognition of these events, two major sets of performances were planned:
1) One with the Vienna Philharmonic: on 13, 15 and 16 August, Riccardo Muti conducts Beethoven’s Missa solemnis – for the very first time in his long conducting career.
2) The second set of appearances – the two concerts planned for the end of August with his Chicago Symphony Orchestra – unfortunately cannot take place.
We refer to the press statement of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) and its President Jeff Alexander:
“The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association is unable to proceed with its plans for a European Festivals Summer 2021 tour due to ongoing health and safety concerns and potential travel and performance restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“International touring remains a top priority for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and music director Riccardo Muti. We look forward to serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador and performing for international audiences again in the future, once health and safety restrictions enable us to do so,” says CSOA President Jeff Alexander.
Service Information:
The two concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on 25 and 27 August 2021 will be cancelled without replacement.
This does not affect Riccardo Muti’s performances with the Vienna Philharmonic on 13, 15 and 16 August 2021.
Riccardo Muti conducts Beethoven’s Missa solemnis, thereby completing the Beethoven focus begun during the previous season. The vocal parts will be sung by Rosa Feola, Alisa Kolosova, Dmitry Korchak, Ildar Abdrazakov and the Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus.
https://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/p/wiener-philharmoniker-muti