Bust of Sir Georg Solti

The Bust of Sir Georg Solti is a bronze sculpture by Elisabeth Frink that captures the conductor with detailed facial features mounted on a dark granite base. The work sits in Solti Garden, located east of South Michigan Avenue, where it anchors a green space within Grant Park.

The sculpture was first displayed at London's Royal Opera House before being relocated to Chicago in 1987 to mark Solti's 75th birthday. This move reflected how deeply the conductor had become connected to the city and its musical institutions.

The bust honors Sir Georg Solti, a conductor who shaped the sound of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and left a lasting mark on classical music. Its placement in the park shows how the city values its musical leaders.

The bust sits in an open garden setting and is freely accessible throughout the year. The location is flat and easy to reach, making it a convenient stop during a stroll through Grant Park.

The bust faces another monument called Spirit of Music, which honors Theodore Thomas, the first leader of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This pairing creates a visual conversation between two conductors separated by generations, both central to the city's musical past.

Website: http://cpdit01.com/resources/planning-and-development.fountains-monuments-and-sculptures/Grant%20Park/Sir%20Georg%20Solti%20Bust.pdf

GPS coordinates: 41.87787,-87.62363

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:42