Three-Concert Series Features Sax Legend Sonny Rollins, Young American Soprano Nicole Cabell and Organist Henry McDowell

Chicago Radio Personality Richard Steele and CSO’s Jim Fahey Host Lively Preconcert Receptions with Q&A and Refreshments

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced the lineup for its 2009-2010 ComEd Classical Tapestry series—three specially selected concerts designed to showcase the outstanding musical talent of today’s leading black artists.

ComEd, a longtime partner of the CSO, renews its generous support of the series for the fourth year.

The ComEd Classical Tapestry season begins Friday, Oct. 9, when organist Henry McDowell makes his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as soloist in Saint-Sans’ Symphony No. 3 (“Organ”).

On Saturday, Dec. 5, opera star Nicole Cabell appears as soprano soloist in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with the Orchestra.  And rounding out the season is a Jazz at Symphony Center performance on Friday, April 9, with tenor saxophone great Sonny Rollins.

Central to the ComEd Classical Tapestry experience, each event begins with an exclusive preconcert reception at 6:30pm, featuring a discussion with the evening’s special-guest artist, hosted by Chicago radio personality Richard Steele and Jim Fahey, the CSO’s director of programming for Symphony Center Presents.

Steele notes, “No other musical experience around brings together such incredible guest artists with the Grammy Award-winning Chicago Symphony Orchestra and lively conversation with old and new friends.”

The gatherings are held in Symphony Center’s Grainger Ballroom, where subscribers mingle and enjoy free drinks and hors d’oeuvres while Steele and Fahey provide an engaging “behind the music” discussion of the music and musicians presented in the evening’s concert.

Each reception ends with an audience question-and-answer session before attendees move to Orchestra Hall for the concert at 8 p.m.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s ComEd Classical Tapestry series is sponsored by ComEd, Illinois’ largest electric utility, serving 3.8 million customers.

“ComEd is committed to supporting diverse arts and culture programming, which is so integral to the vitality of the communities we serve,” said Frank M. Clark, chairman and CEO of ComEd and a Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association trustee.

“It gives us great pride to once again partner with one of the world’s premier orchestras to enhance Chicago’s already renowned musical reputation with the ComEd Classical Tapestry series.”

ComEd Classical Tapestry is available only as a subscription package, which includes all three concerts and preconcert receptions; prices range from $66 to $165.

To become a subscriber, or for more information, please call 312-294-3000 or visit cso.org/classicaltapestry.