Chicago Holiday Weekend December 19th – 22nd , 2002 A three night, four day escorted tour with 3 performances (plus 1 optional additional performance)
	458 West 52nd Street #1D New York, NY 10019 (800) 916-0312

Thursday October 24th
Independent Arrivals at the Empire Hotel, one of New York’s landmark hotels located conveniently on Broadway at 63rd Street, directly across the street from Lincoln Center. Coach Arrival from Ottawa Canada. Wine and Cheese Reception prior to this evening’s performance.

Thursday December 19th

Independent arrivals in Chicago at the Hotel Allegro, a stylish four star boutique hotel located in the heart of the city, just steps from the opera house. We join together for a lovely wine and cheese reception to meet fellow tour members.

This evening, brilliant 22-year old Finnish conductor Mikko Franck makes his Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut, leading a program that features two works by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Many of the composer’s pieces were influenced by Finnish folk literature, including his En Saga. Symphony No. 7, Sibelius’s final symphony, is an exhilarating one-movement work that is regarded as one of his most significant achievements. Also featured on the program is Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto. Originally written for Benny Goodman, the work incorporates elements of jazz, folk tunes, and boogie-woogie rhythms. CSO Principal Clarinet Larry Combs, himself a masterful jazz musician, performs this staple of the clarinet repertoire.

Friday December 20th

This morning, our expert guide from the Chicago Architecture Foundation will lead us on a fascinating coach tour of this great city. You will discover the exciting diversity of Chicago architecture on this 30-mile odyssey. Travel through the Loop, Hyde Park, the Gold Coast, several historic districts, university campuses, parks and residential neighborhoods. Several stops will be made including a tour of the interior of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House given by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.

The afternoon is at leisure for further personal exploration of the city, or perhaps a little last minute holiday shopping.

This evening, Bryn Terfel takes the stage in the title role of Chicago Lyric Opera’s production of Sweeney Todd. Relish this vocal and theatrical feast as the world's most sought-after bass-baritone takes on Sweeney Todd -- sent to prison on a trumped-up charge by a perverted judge who formerly wanted his wife and currently lusts after his daughter. Sondheim’s riveting score is rich with melody and drama. Paul Gemignani conducts: Bryn Terfel, Judith Christin, Nathan Gunn, Timothy Nolen, Celena Shafer, David Cangelosi, and Bonaventura Bottone.

Saturday December 21st

This morning, we will enjoy a private guided tour of The Art Institute of Chicago’s special exhibition, “The Medici, Michelangelo, and the Art of Late Renaissance Florence”. In collaboration with the Soprintendenza per i Beni Artistici e Storici in Florence, The Art Institute of Chicago is organizing this major international exhibition of approximately 180 paintings, sculptures, graphics, porcelain, tapestries, costumes, and other works of art. The exhibition will provide a detailed survey of the art and culture of Florence between 1537, the election of Cosimo I de’Medici as Duke of Tuscany, and 1631, the death of his grandson, Cosimo II de’Medici. Featured will be sculptures and drawings by Michelangelo from the period of the artist’s early association with Cosimo I, as well as important works by other artists employed by the Medici, such as the painters Bronzino, Pontormo, and Salviati, and the sculptors Cellini and Giambologna. Many of the objects, including some of the most celebrated sculptures from the Boboli Gardens and works from the Studiolo (vaultroom) of Francesco I de’Medici in the Palazzo Vechhio, have never before traveled out of Florence. Following our tour, you will have the opportunity to further explore the permanent collection.

This afternoon, we present the option of attending the Joffrey Ballet’s world famous production of The Nutcracker. The production, meticulously overseen by the late Robert Joffrey, reconstructs much of the original choreography of the Ballets Russes production, and also features choreography by director Gerald Arpino. Even if you have seen the Nutcracker many times before, the Joffrey production is a unique and joyous interpretation of a beloved classic. (Supplemental Ticket Price TBA)

This evening, we return to the opera house for a star studded cast in Massenet’s rarely seen Thaïs. Renée Fleming is Thaïs, infamous priestess of the temple of Venus, and Alexandria's most sought-after and scandalous voluptuary. Thomas Hampson is Athanaël, the hot-blooded Cenobite monk who dedicates himself to religious service and burns to deliver Thaïs from the bonds of the flesh. Finally, they meet -- and each will transform the other forever! Sir Andrew Davis conducts what is sure to be one of the highlights of the American opera season.

Sunday December 22nd

Independent departures from Chicago. Check out time from the Allegro Hotel is 12:00 Noon.

TOUR PRICE

Land Arrangements
US $ 1195 (Based On Double Occupancy)
Single Supplement US $270
$500 Deposit due by September 1st, 2002 to secure your space on tour.
Balance due November 15th, 2002.

Included Meals
Welcome Reception.

Transportation
Lowest Airfare at time of booking is available directly through Pro Musica, at cost, for your convenience.
A Saturday night stay is included to assure you the lowest airfare possible.