“Innovative and brilliant… a magic carpet that swept Sunday’s large audience away.”
– COOLCLEVELAND.COM
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The harp was the voice of the marginalized peoples of the British Isles – Irish, Welsh, and Scots. Ireland’s legendary blind harper, Turlough O’Carolan, was one of several great harpers of the 17th and 18th centuries. Today’s young harpist troubadour, Anna O’Connell, sings and accompanies herself on the harp in the manner of the old Celtic harpists. Six Apollo’s Fire musicians on violins, flute, cello, hammered dulcimer, and lutes join Anna in sparkling music by O’Carolan, Dowland, and Purcell, along with Scottish and Irish folk songs.
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In this communal celebration of the American immigrant experience, fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer, bagpipes, and singers join with children’s voices to evoke the Celtic roots of an Appalachian Christmas. From Christmas Eve in medieval Scotland to folk carols and shape-note hymns at a toe-tapping Christmas gathering in Virginia… we follow the journeys of the Irish and Scottish settlers who bravely crossed the Atlantic. The people of the mountains welcome Christmas with LOVE, SINGING, DANCING and PRAYER.
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Long ago in the palace of Ferrara, three renowned ladies entertained princes with their astonishing musicianship. The “Tre Donne di Ferrara” (Three Ladies of Ferrara) were probably the first female professional musicians. Apollo’s Fire collaborates with three stunning Amandas in virtuoso trios written for the Ferrara ladies, alongside soulful songs by Barbara Strozzi and Francesca Caccini and lively duets from Monteverdi’s playful Scherzi Musicali. Eight instrumentalists join in the fun with dances from the palace and the countryside.
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Back by popular demand! This uplifting program by Jeannette Sorrell premiered in May 2021 and now returns in an expanded version. Monteverdi’s beautiful Nigra Sum (I am Black & Beautiful) from the Vespers of 1610 meets a stunning 2019 composition of the same title by Black composer Jonathan Woody. Renowned countertenor Reggie Mobley shares tales of his childhood growing up Black (and beautiful) in the Deep South. A suite by Joseph Bologne (known as “The Black Mozart” in the 18th century) leads to Civil War-era spirituals. The Apollo’s Musettes (youth choir) join AF musicians and soloists in this celebration of our shared humanity.
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MOZART Don Giovanni Overture
BOLOGNE Suite from L’Amant anonyme
BOLOGNE Violin Concerto
MOZART Symphony no. 41, Jupiter
Two geniuses: one called Mozart, the son of a musician; the other called Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the son of an African slave and her white master. In the 18th century, both were revered. Bologne became a beloved violin soloist, composer, champion fencing master, and hero of the French Revolution. Hearing both composers side by side in glorious music, we ask why one was forgotten…?
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Not your mother’s Four Seasons…. Jeannette Sorrell and Francisco Fullana become musical storytellers – celebrating along with the 18th-century Italian peasants, whose joys and sorrows Vivaldi described so vividly. Dueling cellists evoke Vivaldi’s rock-n’-roll personality in the stormy Concerto for Two Cellos. The party ends in exuberant madness when the group whips up Vivaldi’s La Folia (“Madness”).
“Sorrell’s vivid approach makes these familiar works seem freshly minted, full of astonishing incident. Exhilarating… the tension exploded in the final squall.”
– SEEN & HEARD INTERNATIONAL (UK)
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Sound the trumpet! Jeannette Sorrell, soloists, and chorus bring their nationally acclaimed interpretation of Messiah back home to Northeast Ohio. The singers become musical storytellers, bringing spirituality and theatricality to Handel’s richly layered masterpiece.
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This heartwarming program from Jeannette Sorrell follows the hopes and fears of the Irish who bravely crossed the Atlantic, bringing their music with them. Irish singer Fiona Gillespie joins with fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer, and bagpipes in this communal celebration of the American immigrant experience – welcoming Christmas with LOVE, SINGING, DANCING and PRAYER.
Purcell and Handel gave artistic voice to the British royal family’s most festive and poignant moments. From Handel’s Water Music, written for a royal boating party, to lively excerpts from Purcell’s King Arthur, to the heartbreakingly beautiful Funeral Music for Queen Mary, Jeannette Sorrell leads the acclaimed Apollo’s Singers with a sumptuous orchestra worthy of Buckingham Palace.
Premiered in 2017, Jeannette Sorrell’s new adaption of Handel’s neglected oratorio has won rave reviews. In addition to being a colorful showpiece for the virtuoso players and chorus of Apollo’s Fire, the work is a gripping emotional journey – from plagues and pyramids to the crossing of the Red Sea… The Israelites’ daring escape from Egypt comes to life with reverence and triumph through Handel’s sumptuous music.
“Presented with a sense of theatre as Handel intended… scintillating and superb.”
—CLEVELANDCLASSICAL.COM
“Jeannette Sorrell proves that scholarship and fun aren’t mutually exclusive.”
–THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
For over 20 years, Apollo’s Fire has introduced children to the joys of baroque, classical, and traditional folk music of distant lands – through our free Family Concerts and free in-school workshops. We are now thrilled to bring some of this programming to Chicago.
Saturday, October 5, 2:00pm – Logan Center for the Arts, Univ. of Chicago, HYDE PARK
Sunday, October 6, 1:00pm – CHICAGO Children’s Museum on Navy Pier
WARNING: Audience members might learn to sing a fugue theme, dance the Menuet, or play a ground bass at the harpsichord! AF Family Concerts spark learners of all ages with an abundance of impromptu quizzes and prizes, along with opportunities to talk with the musicians and try playing the instruments. For over 20 years, Apollo’s Fire has performed popular Family Concerts in family-friendly venues, including local museums and libraries. AF’s famous “Instrument Petting Zoo” ends each program when the audience swarms the stage to try the instruments. Delightfully noisy!
On October 4, 7 and 8, Apollo’s Fire brings its delightful SCHOOL WORKSHOPS to eight public schools in Greater Chicago and the south-side suburb of Matteson. Last year in Ohio, Apollo’s Fire musicians touched the lives of over 3,000 students.
“It was wonderful for the students to see music from other cultures. Our current unit focuses on immigration and traditions from other cultures, so the tie-in to our instruction right now is perfect!”
– Teacher, Bath Elementary, Ohio
We also did our first Chicago workshop last March, at St. Procopius Dual Language School.
“Today was a musical journey like no other… It was an absolute honor to host such a prestigious ensemble. Thank you, Apollo’s Fire, for sharing your talent and passion with us.”
– Teacher, St Procopius School, Chicago
We’ve been constantly inspired by meeting so many enthusiastic young musicians and music-lovers. We can’t wait to see lots of young Chicagoans in October!
Apollo’s Fire’s principal violinist Emi Tanabe is a familiar and much-loved face in both our baroque and crossover programs. Born in Japan and now based in Chicago, Emi is a master of many styles, from klezmer to classical. She performs regularly with a variety of ensembles in the area, including Celtic, jazz, and rock groups, in addition to period-instrument orchestras like Apollo’s Fire. Her fluency in many styles has made her an in-demand artist, noted for her “brilliant improvisations” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer) and her energy, which beams from the stage. She’s enthusiastically helping us bring the “fire” to her hometown of Chicago.
We recently sat down with Emi to learn a little more about her. Enjoy these 5 responses to 5 questions!
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Question: How long have you been playing the violin? How long have you been playing with Apollo’s Fire and what initially drew you to this group?
Emi: I have been playing the violin for 40 years and I have been with Apollo’s Fire for 20 years. I studied Baroque violin with Apollo’s Fire’s former concertmaster, Cynthia Roberts. She recommended me to Jeannette to play with one of the Apollo’s Fire projects when she needed an extra violin – and that’s when it started!
Question: What has been one of your most memorable Apollo’s Fire performances, and why does it stand out to you?
Emi: That would be our performance at Carnegie Hall in 2022, because it had been my dream to perform there since I was a little girl. Also, at that particular performance, I felt that we, the musicians, became one with the audience, the space, and the sounds we created.
I often feel blessed to play with Apollo’s Fire since we have such amazing teamwork. At this concert, I felt that even more strongly – we created something magical.
Question: What challenges do you face when interpreting and performing Baroque music, and how do you overcome them?
Emi: Before I started to play with a Baroque ensemble, I focused on the individual notes of a melody, and since I’m a violinist, I mostly play melodies. But with a Baroque ensemble, so much importance is put on the phrasings and vertical aspects of the music, like the chords and the depth of the music. That really changed my view of music and my concept of intonation. It’s still a challenge, but I enjoy broadening my horizons in music so much.
Question: When you’re not playing music, what are some of your favorite ways to spend your time?
Emi: I am a hot yoga addict! I also love swimming, exploring great food, going to Jazz Jam session (I know; it’s still music!) to play and meet people with various musical backgrounds.
Question: Looking ahead, are there any upcoming projects or performances with Apollo’s Fire that you are particularly excited about?
Emi: It is hard to say which ones I am MOST excited about. But I love the variety of our music: from Bach to Purcell to Irish fiddling. For every project, I need to have a different mind set. It can be challenging, but I love the challenge!
We were thrilled to launch the 30th Anniversary Season of AF’s Akron Series at a beautiful Gala event at Gervasi Vineyard on July 19. On a gorgeous day, “Vivaldi in the Vineyard” drew a packed crowd. All enjoyed a delicious dinner, and a delightful concert by Apollo’s Fire in a stunning setting. See more photos below!
Thirty years ago, Jeannette Sorrell drove from Cleveland to Akron to find a church with beautiful acoustics for baroque music. When she walked into St Paul’s Episcopal Church, she found a harpsichord and chairs and music stands, mysteriously set up as if for a concert. It seemed to be a sign from God… or Apollo? And so, AF’s Akron series was born.
Since then, Apollo’s Fire has had a 30-year love-affair with our Akron audience.
And here’s a secret: the musicians’ favorite venues are in Akron. Best acoustics in Northeast Ohio!
We will be celebrating this special anniversary season in Akron all year! Watch for receptions, a house concert, and a festive special event in the spring. Akron friends, don’t miss out! House-concert invitations are sent to donors at the $1000 level and above. Contact Barbara Feld, AF’s Development Director for Summit County, or donate online here. We are so grateful for your support, now and for the last 30 years!
Scenes from “Vivaldi in the Vineyard” – the 30th-Anniversary Launch Party at Gervasi Vineyard, July 19
