In the News: Aretha Franklin Replaced with Janelle Monáe In Performance with Chicago Symphony Orchestra

GRAMMY-NOMINATED SINGER

JANELLE MONÁE STEPS IN FOR ARETHA FRANKLIN IN PERFORMANCE WITH MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MAY 20, 2013

Due to her doctor’s recommendation for treatment during the time frame of May 20 & 26, Ms. Aretha Franklin has regretfully withdrawn from her scheduled performance with Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) on Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. celebrating the 24th annual Corporate Night. Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Janelle Monáe has graciously agreed to perform for this special performance. Monáe’s popularity has skyrocketed since her 2010 album debut with The ArchAndroid. Her success has garnered her several global appearances and collaborations, including the recent hit “We Are Young” with the Grammy Award-winning band Fun. Monáe will release a new album this fall entitled The Electric Lady. She was also recently signed as the newest CoverGirl spokesmodel.

For this performance Monáe showcases her unique talent for fusing R&B with pop and soul all while embracing expansive and vibrant orchestrations through some of her most popular songs. This program will be debuted with the San Francisco Symphony on Thursday, May 16, 2013.

The League of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association celebrates its 24th annual Corporate Night, which pays special tribute to Chicago’s business community each year with a one-night-only performance that pairs musicians from the CSO with some of today’s most popular artists. Proceeds from this important fundraising event benefit the CSO’s general operations, as well as the nationally recognized music education and community engagement programs and Citizen Musician initiative of the Institute for Learning, Access and Training at the CSO.

Concert-only tickets are available to the public ($75 to $175); concertgoers can also purchase tickets for an exclusive post-concert party with food, drinks and live music for $100. Tickets previously purchased will be honored for this performance. Tickets may be purchased by calling the CSO Box Office at 312-294-3000 or at cso.org.

JANELLE MONÁE has been called "a different kind of diva" by Vogue Magazine and "a true visionary... one of the most important signings of my career" by Sean "Diddy" Combs. For singer, songwriter, and high funkstress Janelle Monáe, however, the impetus remains the same as it's been since before her Grammy-nominated debut EP "Metropolis, Suite I: The Chase" captured the imaginations of fans and fellow artists. Her debut album The ArchAndroid is a soaring, orchestral trip enlivened with blockbuster vocals, mysterious imagery, and notes of 60s pop and jazz. Monáe enlisted the talents of the Wondaland ArchOchestra to realize her sound. Elaborate orchestral arrangements were composed and conducted by Nate "Rocket" Wonder and Roman GianArthur for Wondaland Productions. Featured guests include the legendary Big Boi of OutKast, renowned poet Saul Williams, the psychedelic dance-punk troupe Of Montreal and punk prophets Deep Cotton.

A musical force in Chicago and around the world, the CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA has been consistently hailed as one of the finest international orchestras since its founding in 1891. Riccardo Muti, one of the world’s most celebrated maestros, began his tenure as the 10th music director of the CSO in September 2010, and the eminent composer-conductor Pierre Boulez continues his service as Helen Regenstein Conductor Emeritus. In collaboration with renowned conductors and guest artists on the international music scene, the CSO performs well over 150 concerts each year at its home, Symphony Center, and in summer residency at the Ravinia Festival. With the launch of The Institute for Learning, Access, and Training, the CSO engages more than 200,000 Chicago-area residents annually. Music lovers outside Chicago enjoy the sounds of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra not only through its Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcast Series and best-selling recordings on its acclaimed in-house record label CSO Resound, but also through sold-out tour performances in the United States and around the globe. Bank of America is the global sponsor of the CSO. For more information about the CSO, visit cso.org.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Corporate Night

Monday, May 20, 2013, 7:30 pm
Janelle Monáe
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sean O’Loughlin, conductor

Concert-only tickets: $75–$175
Post-concert reception tickets: $100

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TICKETS for all 2012/13 Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Center Presents and Civic Orchestra of Chicago concerts can be purchased by calling CSO ticketing services at 312-294-3000 or 800-223-7114, online at cso.org or by visiting the Symphony Center box office at 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604. Discounted student tickets for select concerts can be purchased, subject to availability, online in advance or at the box office on the day of the concert. For group rates, please call 312-294-3040. Artists, programs and prices are subject to change.