Chicago Symphony Chorus

Chicago Symphony Chorus. Founded in 1957 by conductor Margaret Hillis, the ensemble was established to serve as the dedicated choral partner for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Under the artistic leadership of the orchestra's music directors, including Fritz Reiner, Georg Solti, and Riccardo Muti, the chorus has achieved international acclaim for its precision, power, and versatility. It is regarded as one of the preeminent symphonic choruses in the world, performing a vast repertoire from the Baroque era to contemporary works.

History

The chorus was created at the behest of then-music director Fritz Reiner, who sought a permanent, professional-caliber ensemble to perform the major choral-orchestral works. Margaret Hillis, a pioneering female conductor and protégée of Robert Shaw, was appointed as its first director and built the ensemble through rigorous auditions. Its early success under Hillis was cemented during the tenure of Georg Solti, with whom the chorus made numerous landmark recordings for London Records and undertook its first international tour to Europe in 1978. The chorus has performed under every subsequent music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, including Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez, and Riccardo Muti, and has been a central feature of the orchestra's seasons at Orchestra Hall and the Ravinia Festival.

Directors

Margaret Hillis served as director from the chorus's inception in 1957 until her retirement in 1994, shaping its foundational sound and discipline. Following her tenure, the position was held by several notable conductors, including John Nelson and Daniel Beckwith. In 1994, Duain Wolfe was appointed chorus director, a role he continues to hold; Wolfe has maintained the ensemble's high standards while expanding its educational outreach. The chorus works closely with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's music director, a lineage that includes Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, and Riccardo Muti, who provides overarching artistic guidance for choral-orchestral productions.

Repertoire and performances

The chorus's core repertoire encompasses the great choral symphonies and oratorios, including masterpieces by Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Berlioz, and Verdi. It has given definitive performances of monumental works such as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Brahms's *Ein deutsches Requiem*, and Britten's *War Requiem*. Under Georg Solti, the chorus became particularly renowned for its interpretations of the operatic and choral works of Wagner and the dramatic oratorios of Berlioz. In addition to standard works, the ensemble frequently premieres and performs contemporary pieces by composers such as John Corigliano, John Adams, and Mason Bates.

Recordings and awards

The chorus has an extensive and award-winning discography, primarily with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on the London Records, Deutsche Grammophon, and CSO Resound labels. Its recording of Verdi's *Requiem* with conductor Georg Solti won the Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance in 1978. Further Grammy awards were garnered for recordings of Brahms's *Ein deutsches Requiem* and Berlioz's *The Damnation of Faust*. The chorus's collaboration with Riccardo Muti on Verdi's *Macbeth* and the *Messa da Requiem* for CSO Resound has also received critical acclaim. In total, the ensemble has contributed to over twenty-five Grammy Award-winning recordings.

Notable guest appearances

Beyond its work in Chicago, the chorus has performed at many prestigious venues and festivals worldwide. It has been featured at Carnegie Hall in New York City, the BBC Proms in London, and the Salzburg Festival in Austria. The ensemble has collaborated with other major orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic, under conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Bernard Haitink, and Herbert von Karajan. Notable standalone engagements include performances at the Ravinia Festival with the James Levine and performances for special events such as the Millennium Park opening in Chicago.

Category:American choirs Category:Chicago Symphony Orchestra Category:Musical groups established in 1957 Category:1957 establishments in Illinois