March 26--For the first time in the Ravinia Festival's 111-year history, it has a sponsor for its classical music events. Ravinia announced Thursday that the Allstate Insurance Company will be its lead classical sponsor beginning with the 2015 summer season.
About 65 percent of the festival's offerings involve classical music, including the annual residencies of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The not-for-profit festival raises just over half of its revenue through ticket sales and depends on private and corporate support to maintain a healthy slate of classical events.
In a statement, Ravinia CEO Welz Kauffman called the Allstate sponsorship "well-directed, desperately needed and infinitely appreciated."
