Chicago Symphony plays for free food

From the musicians of the CSO:

The Musicians of the Chicago Symphony will present a benefit concert for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, GCFD, on Monday, June 13th at 8:00PM at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  Our musicians have always been involved in the community through chamber, educational, and community concerts. This concert, undertaken as an orchestra and conducted by our Music Director Riccardo Muti, will be the first time such a collective effort has been made.  Collaborating with the Food Depository, our musicians can offer support in direct ways, by raising funds.  This concert will bring attention to two of the most difficult problems our society faces: hunger and malnutrition.  The concert is entirely produced by the musicians. All of the proceeds will be donated to the GCFD.

Chicago Symphony Musicians Express Gratitude to Maestro Muti:

The Chicago Symphony Musicians have the highest regard for Riccardo Muti. He has also been recognized as an international humanitarian. We are most grateful to him for agreeing to lead us in our first independently produced concert that benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

About the Greater Chicago Food Depository:

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository, founded in 1979, makes a daily impact across Cook County with a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children’s programs, older adult programs and innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 68 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 155,000 meals every day. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.

Muti visits food bank (photo: Todd Rosenberg)