Chicago Symphony Orchestra

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891, the ensemble has been based in the Symphony Center since 1904 and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". The orchestra's most recent music director is Riccardo Muti, whose tenure spanned the seasons from 2010 to 2023, and he continues to perform on occasion as director-emeritus.