Accordion Virtuoso Théo Ould Brings Piazzolla-Inspired Program to Barrington’s White House, Chicago

French accordion prodigy Théo Ould makes his North American debut this fall, kicking off his highly anticipated tour with a performance at Barrington’s White House in the Chicago area on November 23. The concert launches a five-city journey that celebrates Ould’s latest recording, "Piazzolla: Balada para un loco," recently released on Alpha Classics.

A rising star in the European classical scene, Ould has earned acclaim for reimagining the accordion as a vehicle for serious artistry rather than novelty. His Chicago-area program will spotlight the emotional intensity of Astor Piazzolla, the Argentine composer who revolutionized tango. Alongside Piazzolla’s works, Ould will weave in music by Mozart, Bach, Philippe Hersant, and contemporary composers inspired by the tango master.

“This project is my most personal,” says Ould. “I wanted to raise the accordion above the clichés and return to the music that first made me fall in love with this instrument.” That love began when Ould first heard Piazzolla’s Libertango at age six—a spark that now fuels his dynamic interpretations and bold new arrangements.

"Piazzolla: Balada para un loco" features collaborations with Quatuor Bilitis, double bassist Blanche Stromboni, and Grammy Award–winning mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti, who lends her voice to the album’s title track. The release includes Piazzolla favorites such as Oblivion, Vuelvo al sur, Violentango, and Libertango.

Following the Chicago performance, Ould’s tour continues to Montréal (Nov 27), Boston (Dec 2), Schenectady (Dec 7), and Princeton (Dec 9–10), introducing North American audiences to his boundary-pushing artistry.

Event details:
Théo Ould: Tangos and More
Saturday, November 23, 2025 at 3pm
Barrington’s White House, Chicago
Tickets and information: barringtonswhitehouse.com