The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has a new Music Director–in case you’ve lived under a rock and don’t know–and Our Town has really welcomed him. He is everywhere–on the local newscasts, the newspapers–everyone who is anyone in the Chicago music world is abuzz.

Many of us wonder what it will mean to us. I am hoping there is some sort of trickle down effect and classical music will some how be “cooler” and more news worthy.

Maestro Muti seems like a great guy, not just musically, but personally. He wants to reach out to youth correctional facilities, something he and his wife have done in their native Italy. He wants to be a force in our community.

His Verdi “Requiem” was breath taking and I am so looking forward to his “Elijah” when the ACDA National Conference is in town in March. He makes music thrilling and, as season ticket holders, hubby and I are so eager, now that he’s “ours”.

What his tenure will be like is still to be determined—but I bet we won’t be bored!