2026-2027: Season 6 in Chicago
“Sorrell and her dazzling period ensemble are… incandescent.”
– THE SUNDAY TIMES, London
Five programs performed in downtown Chicago, Evanston, and Naperville!
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Program #1:
ECHOES Across the Atlantic
with Jeanine De Bique, soprano
Saturday, November 7, 7:30pm – Music Institute of Chicago, EVANSTON
Sunday, November 8, 5:00pm – CHICAGO Cultural Center
Legendary Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique has taken Europe by storm in recent years. In this stunning new program designed by Jeannette Sorrell, De Bique joins the AF orchestra to explore the historical connections between Europe and the Caribbean colonies in the 18th century. Across the waters, tales of love, despair, and resilience emerge from the palaces of Europe and the plantations of the Caribbean. The virtuoso music of Handel, Purcell, Rameau and Vivaldi meets the soulful voices of Caribbean poets in this celebration of our shared humanity.
Catch this program before it heads out on an international tour to Carnegie Hall, London, Paris, Brussels, Lisbon, and more…!
Program #2
Handel’s MESSIAH
Jeannette Sorrell, conductor
Maya Kherani, soprano | Amanda Crider, mezzo
Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, tenor | Kevin Deas, bass-baritone
Tuesday, December 15, 7:00pm – St. James Cathedral, CHICAGO
Wednesday, December 16, 7:00pm – Alice Millar Chapel, Northwestern University, EVANSTON
Thursday, December 17, 7:00pm – Wentz Concert Hall, NAPERVILLE
On period instruments, Apollo’s Fire and Jeannette Sorrell take Handel’s masterpiece back to its roots as a dramatic and uplifting entertainment. The soloists become “visionary storytellers” in this acclaimed interpretation. Jeannette and Apollo’s Singers head to Chicago just after performing Messiah in collaboration with the New York Philharmonic.
“Sorrell led superb voices and a stylish orchestra… a splendid performance. It’s difficult for a “Messiah” performance to stand out. But this one did.” – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Program #3:
FIDDLE VIRTUOSITY from the Pubs of Old London
Friday, February 5, 7:30pm – Music Institute of Chicago, EVANSTON
Saturday, February 6, 7:30pm – Driehaus Museum, CHICAGO
In 17th-century England, great composers loved to take inspiration from popular tavern songs and dance tunes. Virtuoso violinist Alan Choo and six friends invite you on a delightful romp through John Playford’s collections of fiddle variations, alongside music of Dowland, Eccles, and Purcell. A cozy winter program with lute, recorder, baroque & Celtic harp, and more!
Program #4:
BACH’S St. Matthew Passion
300th Anniversary of the Leipzig Premiere
Sunday, March 14, 4:00pm – Alice Millar Chapel, Northwestern University, EVANSTON
Monday, March 15, 7:00pm – St. James Cathedral, CHICAGO
Apollo’s Fire and conductor Jeannette Sorrell are thrilled to return to Bach’s most legendary masterpiece on the 300th anniversary of its premiere in Leipzig (1727). In this dramatic presentation, the singers in the character roles (Jesus, Pilate, etc) interact with each other, singing from memory. The GRAMMY®-nominated chorus Apollo’s Singers is joined by children’s voices to create a sense of communal gathering in Sorrell’s interpretation. British tenor Ed Lyon, fresh from major successes at London’s Covent Garden, steps into the role of the Evangelist as an animated storyteller.
“Jeannette Sorrell led a revelatory performance [of Bach’s St. John Passion], with impassioned singing and playing bring Bach’s score to life with contemporary immediacy.” – Opera News
Program #5:
PRIMAVERA! Vivaldi Celebration
Francisco Fullana, violin
APOLLO’S FIRE celebrates spring with Vivaldi’s beloved “Primavera” (springtime) concerto from the Four Seasons. Internationally acclaimed Spanish violinist Francisco Fullana returns to AF for this joyful dive into Vivaldi-mania! Choose between 2 versions of the program, or go to both….
The Four Seasons – rediscovered
Friday, April 9, 7:30pm – Art Institute of CHICAGO
Sunday, April 11, 4:00pm – KAM Isaiah Israel, HYDE PARK
Monday, April 12, TBDpm – Venue TBA, WESTERN SUBURB
As heard in cities across the U.S., Apollo’s Fire and Jeannette Sorrell join Francisco Fullana to present Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons as revolutionary acts of musical storytelling – bringing Vivaldi’s pictorial descriptions to life. If you thought you knew the Four Seasons, be prepared for surprises! From the bird calls and storms to a barking dog, flies and wasps, drunken peasants, an exhilarating fox hunt with “gunshots,” and more… the story that Vivaldi intended with these pieces is made clear as each concerto is preceded by a quick and polished “tour” of the sound effects to come.
Vivaldi on FIRE
Saturday, April 10, 7:30pm – Music Institute of Chicago, EVANSTON
Francisco Fullana and the AF band set sparks flying with virtuoso concertos, including the famous “Il Grosso Mogul” violin concerto and Vivaldi’s stormy Concerto for Two Cellos. Come and hear why Jeannette calls Vivaldi the “rock-n-roll” composer of the 18th century.
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Passion. Period.