Remember the Silent Film era? Most people don’t, but for one night, audiences can experience it just as their great-grandparents did. On April 3, Guarneri Hall will host a special screening of The General, Buster Keaton’s 1926 Civil War comedy masterpiece, featuring a live performance of an original score by composer-pianist Stephen Prutsman and members of NEXUS Chamber Music.

The nonprofit Guarneri Hall, a state-of-the-art, custom-built classical music venue in downtown Chicago at 11 E. Adams St., presents another evening of Keaton’s cinematic genius following last season’s successful screening. The performance runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will be followed by a silent-film-themed reception, allowing audience members to engage directly with the artists. Tickets for the show ($40) are sold out, but a waitlist is available by emailing operations manager Tanya Landau at tlandau@guarnerihall.org.

Widely regarded as Keaton’s greatest work, The General was one of the first films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Inspired by a real Civil War incident, the film follows Southern railway engineer Johnnie Gray as he embarks on a daring mission to recover his stolen locomotive—and rescue his fiancée—from Union spies. Keaton’s blend of thrilling action and signature physical comedy has made the film a cornerstone of silent cinema.

Prutsman’s score enhances the film’s humor and dramatic tension, offering audiences a fresh way to experience Keaton’s brilliance. Performing artists include Stephen Prutsman (piano and composer), Steven Copes and Gabriela Lara (violins), Doyle Armbrust (viola), and Lidanys Graterol (cello).

For more information about Guarneri Hall and upcoming events, visit Guarneri Hall’s website.

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