Klaus Makela conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through Saul Zinovjev’s ‘Batteria’ at the Symphony Center's Orchestra Hall in The Loop, Thursday, April 4, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times — Klaus Makela conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through Saul Zinovjev’s ‘Batteria’ at the Symphony Center’s Orchestra Hall in The Loop, Thursday, April 4. Succeeding Riccardo Muti, the Finnish conductor will be 31 when he begins the position in September 2027 with an initial contract of five years.

Photography Chicago

Picture Chicago: 17 must-see Sun-Times photos from the first week of April 2024

Klaus Mäkelä, 28, became the 11th music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Che “Rhymefest” Smith announced his candidacy for the Chicago Board of Education, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 5-0 in their home opener.

By Sun-Times staff

Jesus, played by Tony Diaz, is comforted by an angel after falling during the 47th annual “Via Crucis: Living Way of the Cross,” a Lenten tradition that recounts the passion and death of Jesus Christ, in the Pilsen neighborhood, Friday, March 29, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times — Jesus, played by Tony Diaz, is comforted by an angel after falling during the 47th annual “Via Crucis: Living Way of the Cross” in Pilsen, a Lenten tradition that recounts the passion and death of Jesus Christ, Friday, March 29.

Jesus, played by Tony Diaz, is held by his mother during the 47th annual “Via Crucis: Living Way of the Cross,” a Lenten tradition that recounts the passion and death of Jesus Christ, in the Pilsen neighborhood, Friday, March 29, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Father Ephraim of Saints Athanasios and John Greek Orthodox Church sits inside his Velomobile, a covered, non-motorized tricycle, in Irving Park, Thursday, April 4, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times — Father Ephraim, of Saints Athanasios and John Greek Orthodox Church, sits inside his Velomobile, a covered, non-motorized tricycle, in Irving Park, Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Che “Rhymefest” Smith performs with singer Russoul before announcing his candidacy for the Chicago Board of Education during a press conference at Silverroom in Hyde Park, Thursday, April 4, 2024. I Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times — Che “Rhymefest” Smith performs with singer Russoul before announcing his candidacy for the Chicago Board of Education during a press conference at Silverroom in Hyde Park, Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Omar Torres, who is from Venezuela, loads a bag into a truck outside the migrant shelter at Broadway Armory Park in Edgewater, Saturday, March 30, 2024. Several migrants moved out of the Broadway Armory Park shelter Saturday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times — Omar Torres, who is from Venezuela, loads a bag into a truck outside the migrant shelter at Broadway Armory Park in Edgewater, Saturday, March 30, 2024. Several migrants moved out of the Broadway Armory Park shelter Saturday.

Baseball fans flock to Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs opening day game vs the Colorado Rockies, Monday, April 1, 2024. | Jim Vondruska/For the Sun-Times — Baseball fans flock to Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs opening day game vs the Colorado Rockies, Monday, April 1, 2024.

Mayor Brandon Johnson listens to comments from a speaker during a press conference announcing new housing developments to reinvigorate the downtown area at 208 S LaSalle St. in the Loop, Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) hugs Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez after the vote to remove Sigcho-Lopez as committee chair on Housing and Real Estate failed, during a special City Council session, Monday, April 1, 2024.

Flanked by supporters, Eileen O’Neill Burke, Democratic nominee for Cook County State’s Attorney, speaks to reporters during a victory event at the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 headquarters in the West Loop, Monday, April 1, 2024.

Passengers ride the Water Taxi near the Ogilvie/Union Station stop in the West Loop, Saturday, March 30, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times — Passengers ride the Water Taxi near the Ogilvie/Union Station stop in the West Loop, Saturday, March 30, 2024.

Fabi Malary, Elise Malary’s sister, removes the cover over the Elise Malary Way sign during a honorary street naming ceremony for Elise Malary at West Catalpa Avenue and North Clark Street in the Andersonville neighborhood, Friday, March 29, 2024.

Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during the Office of Justice Programs’ second annual Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Grantee Conference at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Wednesday, April 3, 2024. I Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times — Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during the Office of Justice Programs’ second annual Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Grantee Conference at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Pastor Jason Globicki stands in front of a stained glass depiction of the resurrection in the sanctuary of the Wicker Park Lutheran Church at 1500 N Hoyne Ave in Wicker Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Hundreds of janitors with SEIU Local 1 march towards the Building Owners and Management Association headquarters in The Loop 4 days ahead of a contract expiration, Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Shatika Morgan sits for a photo at her home, on Tuesday, April 2. Morgan’s daughter was shot and killed in a mass shooting in front of a convenience store at 5337 W Madison Ave in Austin, four other young women were also shot. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Erica Wax, chair of CARE Chicago, teaches a “Get Smart About Credit” seminar at Gwendolyn Brooks High School in Roseland, Wednesday, April 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times — Erica Wax, chair of CARE Chicago, teaches a “Get Smart About Credit” seminar at Gwendolyn Brooks High School in Roseland, Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

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