Andrew Bird, the multi-instrumentalist indie artist from the northern suburbs, will make his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this fall, the company announced Tuesday.
The performances this fall will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Bird’s acclaimed album “The Mysterious Production of Eggs.” The pair of performances will take place Nov. 13-14 at Downtown’s Symphony Center. It will mark Bid’s first time performing the album in its entirety alongside a full orchestra.
According to the CSO, “the program balances swelling sounds with jazz, folk, and pop melodies.” Following a performance of the full album with orchestra arrangements, Bird, a Lake Forest native, will also play other fan favorites from his decades-long career.
Since the late ’90s, Bird has released 18 albums and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album for his 2019 release, “My Finest Work Yet.” In Chicago, his holiday season Gezelligheid concerts have become a local tradition and an often hard-to-get ticket.
While this is Bird’s debut with his hometown orchestra, he is no stranger to classical music halls. The violinist has performed shows in iconic venues like New York’s Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House.
Bird’s collaboration with the CSO comes after local rocker Billy Corgan, of Smashing Pumpkins, teamed up last fall with Chicago’s Lyric Opera to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness.” Plus, the Chicago Philharmonic teamed up with pop-jazz superstar Laufey in 2024 for what was billed as the first orchestral performance at Lollapalooza.
Tickets for Bird’s appearances at CSO will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 20.
Courtney Kueppers is an arts and culture reporter at WBEZ.