Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra ( IPO ), named 2020 Professional Orchestra of the Year by Illinois Council of Orchestras, announced its virtual opening night concert, "IPO Reimagined," featuring 30 IPO string players performing George Walker's Lyric for Strings followed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Serenade.
The 45-minute program will take place Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m., and is free to the public via livestream on IPO's Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as on Palos Channel 4.
Due to the pandemic's continued toll on performing arts, IPO has postponed its in-person fall concerts originally announced as part of its 43rd season. However, the orchestra will continue to produce engaging music offerings that further elevate its mission.
In a statement, Artistic Director Stilian Kirov ( who will be conducting "IPO Reimagined" ) said, "IPO believes that the most genuine and powerful way we can work towards increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in the music world, is to reflect these attributes through our programming."