{"id":1362,"date":"2025-05-17T01:53:24","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T01:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=1362"},"modified":"2025-05-17T01:53:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-17T01:53:24","slug":"a-whale-of-a-performance-at-the-shedd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=1362","title":{"rendered":"A whale of a performance at the Shedd"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Musicians from the Chicago Sinfonnietta serenaded guests and beluga whales alike during a special performance Thursday at the Shedd Aquarium.<\/p>\n

The aquarium hosted a string quartet to perform Beethoven\u2019s \u201cSymphony No. 9″ and \u201cSymphony No. 6″ in the Shedd\u2019s Abbott Oceanarium while the beluga whales swam behind the musicians in a blend of nature and classical music.<\/p>\n

The performance was inspired by the Shedd\u2019s newest beluga calf, Opus \u2014 whose name means \u201ca composition of music.\u201d Shedd staff members gave the baby beluga its name in honor of Opus\u2019 father, Beethoven. <\/p>\n

\u201cBelugas have a natural connection to sound, so we were very curious to see what they would make of the musicians,\u201d Megan Vens-Policky, an animal care supervisor with Shedd Aquarium, said in a statement. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are always thinking about creative ways to provide the belugas with enrichment \u2014 new sounds, sights and experiences that keep them active and add novelty to their day. This partnership was a fun opportunity to share something the belugas may have never seen or heard before.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cBelugas have a natural connection to sound, so we were very curious to see what they would make of the musicians,\u201d Megan Vens-Policky, an animal care supervisor with Shedd Aquarium.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Before the aquarium opened to the public, two of the musicians entered the habitat and played for several of the adult belugas, and a cellist performed a few pieces specifically for Opus.<\/p>\n

The musicians gave a second performance for guests when the doors to the aquarium opened. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs an orchestra known for its innovative concerts and creative programming within the community, Chicago Sinfonietta is pleased to form a new collaboration with a historic landmark in our community, Shedd Aquarium,\u201d said Wendy Lewis, interim chief executive of Chicago Sinfonietta. \u201cBoth Chicago organizations are committed to curating important and thoughtful ways to innovate, inspire and ignite interest in our world and to protect it for the future through artful communication. The opportunity to experience the amazing sounds of our orchestra while in the presence of the majestic beluga whale was unforgettable. \u201c<\/p>\n

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The Chicago Sinfonietta string quartet performs at the Shedd Aquarium on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n