NEWS

18
TH
JUNE 2026


Chicago Symphony Orchestra | The Rock

© Paul Marc Mitchell

Thursday 18 June 2026, 7.30 pm
Symphony Center, Chicago, USA

Jessie MONTGOMERY: Banner
Bohuslav MARTINŮ: The Rock, H 363
Aaron COPLAND: Lincoln Portrait
Charles IVES: Three Places in New England
Duke ELLINGTON: Harlem

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Joshua Weilerstein (conductor)
Harry Lennix (narrator)

Lincoln Portrait & Ellington Harlem

Aaron Copland’s timeless tribute to the nation’s 16th president anchors a powerful program spanning multiple generations of American composers. Chicago native and Tony Award-nominee Harry Lennix – most recently seen in The Goodman’s production of Inherit the Wind and also known for roles in The Blacklist, The Matrix franchise and the DC Universe – lends his commanding voice and presence to the piece as the narrator.

Works by Ellington and former Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery reflect on the ideals of freedom and equality, Ives salutes his beloved New England, and Martinů honors Plymouth Rock, symbolizing the opportunities America offered him.

More information: https://cso.org/performances/25-26/cso-classical/lincoln-portrait-ellington-harlem/