2026-2027: The 35th Anniversary Season
“Sorrell and her dazzling period band… are incandescent.”
– The Sunday Times, London
22 performances of 7 programs performed across Northeast Ohio!
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Program #1
BEN FRANKLIN in Paris
Thursday, October 15, 7:30pm – First United Methodist, AKRON
Friday, October 16, 7:30pm – St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE
Saturday, October 17, 7:30pm – Kulas Hall, CLEVELAND Institute of Music
Sunday, October 18, 4:00pm – Gartner Auditorium, CLEVELAND Museum of Art
One of the most colorful geniuses in American history, Ben Franklin went to Paris in 1776 as ambassador from the fledging United States. Immersing himself in French culture with gusto, he attended concerts, ballroom dances, and opera performances. Apollo’s Fire evokes his musical adventures in this festive program of orchestral works that were performed in Paris during his 9-year stay, including Mozart’s “Paris” Symphony and highlights from a Rameau opera.
Program #2:
Vivaldi’s FOUR SEASONS rediscovered
Friday, November 6, 7:30pm – The BATH Church
Friday, November 13, 7:30pm – LAKEWOOD United Methodist Church
As heard in cities across the U.S., Alan Choo and Jeannette Sorrell 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.
SPECIAL EVENT!
ECHOES Across the Atlantic
with Jeanine De Bique, soprano
Thursday, November 12, 7:30pm – Gartner Auditorium, CLEVELAND Museum of Art
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 #3
Handel’s MESSIAH
Jeannette Sorrell, conductor
December 4-6 | Maya Kherani, soprano | Rachael Wilson, mezzo-soprano | Ed Lyon, tenor | Edward Vogel, baritone
December 19-20 | Maya Kherani, soprano | Amanda Crider, mezzo-soprano | Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, tenor | Kevin Deas, bass-baritone
Friday, December 4, 7:00pm – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, AKRON
Saturday, December 5, 7:00pm – First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS
Sunday, December 6, 3:30pm – Federated Church, CHAGRIN FALLS
Saturday, December 19, 7:00pm – Trinity Cathedral, CLEVELAND
Sunday, December 20, 4:00pm – St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE
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.
“Alluring personalities and a stellar chorus and orchestra, presented with a sense of theater, as Handel intended it to be….”
– ClevelandClassical.com
Program #4:
FIDDLE VIRTUOSITY from the Pubs of Old London
Friday, January 29, 7:30pm – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Saturday, January 30, 7:30pm – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Sunday, January 31, 4:00pm – LAKEWOOD United Methodist Church
Tuesday, February 2, 7:30pm – First United Methodist Church, CUYAHOGA FALLS
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 #5:
BACH’S St. Matthew Passion
300th Anniversary of the Leipzig Premiere
Friday, March 12, 7:00pm – St. Bernard Catholic Church, AKRON
Saturday, March 20, 7:00pm – SEVERANCE MUSIC CENTER, CLEVELAND
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 #6:
Vivaldi on FIRE
Francisco Fullana, violin
Thursday, April 15, 7:30pm – The BATH Church
Friday, April 16, 7:30pm – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Saturday, April 17, 7:30pm – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Sunday, April 18, 4:00pm – ROCKY RIVER Presbyterian Church
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.