Chicago Symphony Orchestra

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891, the ensemble has been based in the Symphony Center since 1904 and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". The orchestra's most recent music director is Riccardo Muti, whose tenure spanned the seasons from 2010 to 2023, and he continues to perform on occasion as director-emeritus. In 2024, Klaus Mäkelä was named music director-designate, with his first contractual season to begin in 2027.

Similar Artists

Wiener Philharmoniker

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Gewandhausorchester

San Francisco Symphony

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Czech Philharmonic

New York Philharmonic

Staatskapelle Dresden

Philadelphia Orchestra

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

Russian National Orchestra

BBC Philharmonic

Valery Gergiev

Lorin Maazel

Seattle Symphony Orchestra

Claudio Abbado

Berliner Philharmoniker

Wiener Symphoniker

Los Angeles Philharmonic