Carlos Kalmar will lead Grant Park Music Festival through 2024

Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival has principal conductor Carlos Kalmar for just another another two years, according to an announcement Tuesday from the summer classical music company.

Kalmar’s contract as the Festival’s artistic director and principal conductor has been extended through 2024, after which he will conclude his tenure. The 2024 summer season will be his 25th season leading the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, according to the announcement, as well as the Festival’s 90th anniversary season.

Following the season, Kalmar will be conductor laureate and will return periodically to conduct the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus beginning in 2026.

“Making music with the Grant Park Music Festival has been a great joy for me and I can’t wait to return to the Pritzker stage this summer,” Kalmar said in the statement. “I am so grateful for the extraordinary artistic partnership I have had with the Festival, and will always love this orchestra and chorus, along with the audiences of Chicago.”

Kalmar was first named principal conductor in 2000, adding the role of artistic director in 2011.

The Grant Park Music Festival announced in early May that it would be returning to its performance home at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, as well as announced its season beginning July 2 with a “Independence Day Salute.” Earlier this month, the festival announced that concerts would be at full capacity. More information at GPMF.org