The 2016-17 CSO at the Movies series has been finalized with two additional titles, the Oscar-winning “Amadeus” (1984) on April 18 and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller “North by Northwest” (1959), with an iconic score by composer Bernard Herrmann, on May 26. The films join the previously announced “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), scheduled for Nov. 25.
Conductor Richard Kaufman will lead members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at all three concerts. Series subscriptions are now on sale online at cso.org, by phone at (312) 294-3000 or at the box office, 220 S. Michigan. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 12.
Additional film programming on tap for 2016-17 season includes three screenings Dec. 9-11 of Frank Capra’s holiday-themed “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), with a score by Dimitri Tiomkin. These performances feature members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus, led by conductor Justin Freer.
This year’s CSO at the Movies series opens with the box-office blockbuster “E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film about a lovable alien stranded on Earth. Its music by composer John Williams received an Academy Award and Golden Globe for best original score. Along with the Nov. 25 subscription date, two special non-subscription performances of “E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial” are scheduled for Nov. 26 (8 p.m.) and Nov. 27 (3 p.m.)
The series continues with “Amadeus,” winner of eight Oscars, including awards for best picture, director (Milos Forman) and actor (F. Murray Abraham). Depicting the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, it features selections from many of Mozart’s finest works, including his Requiem, Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro. The film’s soundtrack, originally performed by the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields under Sir Neville Marriner, received a Grammy for best classical album. Along with the April 18 presentation, there will be a special non-subscription performance on April 19 ( 7 p.m.).
Completing the series is Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest,” with Cary Grant as an ad exec in a cross-country flight from nefarious operatives (including James Mason, Eva Marie Saint). In 1998, the American Film Institute named the movie as one of the top 100 Greatest American Movies of all time.
Subscriptions for the three-concert CSO at the Movies series are on sale now for $81-$309. Subscribers also may now purchase tickets to any film-related Special Concerts. For group rates, please call (312) 294-3040.