Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Chicago Symphony Orchestra founded in 1891 when businessman Charles Norman Fay invited the German-born conductor Theodore Thomas to establish and lead a new city orchestra; he conducted it until his death in 1905. Orchestra Hall, designed by Daniel H. Burnham , was built for it in 1904 with funds raised by public subscription; the hall is now part of Symphony Center, which was completed in 1997. Frederick Stock , Thomas's assistant, succeeded him and conducted the orchestra until 1942. Rafael Kubelík (see under Kubelík, Jan ), its conductor from 1950 to 1953, was followed by Fritz Reiner , who conducted until 1962. Sir Georg Solti conducted from 1969 to 1991 and was succeeded by Daniel Barenboim , who served as its conductor until 2006. Bernard Haitink subsequently became interim conductor, and in 2008 Ricardo Muti was named principal conductor, beginning in 2010. The orchestra plays a summer season at Ravinia Park, in the suburbs north of Chicago.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 3rd oldest sym. orch. in USA. Founded 1891 by Theodore Thomas as the Chicago Orch. Re-named Theodore Thomas Orch. 1906, then present name 1912. Conds.: Thomas 1891–1905; Frederick Stock 1905–42; Désiré Defauw 1943–7; Artur Rodzinski 1947–8; Rafael Kubelik 1950–3; Fritz Reiner 1953–63; Jean Martinon 1963–9; Georg Solti 1969–91; Daniel Barenboim from 1991. First tour of Europe 1971. Salzburg Fest. début 1978 (cond. Solti).