Klaus Mäkelä live in Highland Park

Experience Klaus Mäkelä live on August 7th

Klaus Mäkelä will conduct a performance at Ravinia Pavilion on August 7, 2026. Mäkelä is a Finnish conductor rapidly gaining international recognition for his insightful interpretations and technically assured performances. His style is often described as possessing a clarity of texture and a focus on structural understanding, bringing a fresh perspective to both standard repertoire and contemporary works. He frequently champions Nordic composers alongside established masters.

Ravinia Pavilion, located in Highland Park, Illinois, is North America’s oldest music festival, founded in 1904 by Chicago businessman Charles Blair Macdonald. Originally conceived as a summer home for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, it remains its summer residence. The venue is renowned for its lawn seating—allowing audiences to enjoy concerts picnic-style—and its architecturally significant pavilion building designed in the Arts and Crafts style by Shaw, Biddle & Hunt. Ravinia’s programming encompasses classical music, jazz, and contemporary popular genres. The grounds are designated a National Historic Landmark, reflecting its cultural importance and unique setting within a prairie landscape. The acoustics of the open-air pavilion are considered excellent for orchestral performances.