Bach’s Easter Oratorio

Featured Artists
Bach’s Easter Oratorio

A rare chance to hear J.S. Bach’s dramatic Easter masterpiece! Jeannette Sorrell leads soloists, choir, three trumpets, and a festive orchestra. Alongside the Easter Oratorio, we present Bach’s exuberant Easter Cantata, BWV 66 – including a moving dialogue between Hope and Fear, as well as a thrilling trumpet solo.

Concert duration: 1 hr 50 min, including …

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 7:30PM
Federated Church, CHAGRIN FALLS
Friday, April 26, 2024, 7:30PM
St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 8:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, AKRON
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 5:00PM
Church of the Gesu, UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS

¡Hispania!

Featured Artists
¡Hispania!
A Voyage from Spain to the Americas

In this vibrant musical journey from 16th-century Spain to baroque Latin America, music of Spanish composers Diego Ortiz, Gaspar Sanz, and Santiago de Murcia blends virtuosity with lively dance rhythms. Sephardic ballads from the Jewish Quarter of Seville celebrate love and life. Crossing the Atlantic, we encounter a joyful mix of Hispanic and Caribbean influences. …

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 7:30PM
St. Bernard Catholic Church, AKRON
Thursday, March 21, 2024, 7:30PM
St. Rocco Catholic Church, CLEVELAND
Friday, March 22, 2024, 7:30PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 8:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS

Sacred Mysteries

Featured Artists
Sacred Mysteries
Biber’s Rosary Sonatas for Violin

Heinrich Biber’s stunning Sonatas on the Mysteries of the Rosary have haunted violinists for centuries. Each of these virtuosic sonatas tells a dramatic story from the life of Christ – but the performer must discover and interpret the story through the secrets of the music. AF Concertmaster Alan Choo and six friends on cello and …

Thursday, February 15, 2024, 7:30PM
West Shore Unitarian Universalist, ROCKY RIVER
Friday, February 16, 2024, 7:30PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Saturday, February 17, 2024, 8:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Monday, February 19, 2024, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church, AKRON

Wassail!

Featured Artists
Wassail!
An Irish-Appalachian Christmas

Christmas night in Ireland, 1849: Families and friends gather for singing, storytelling, plenty of wassail, and tearful farewells – as many of them prepare to depart for America the next day.

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 …

Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 7:30PM
The BATH Church (UCC)
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 4:30PM
CLEVELAND Museum of Art (Gartner Auditorium)
Thursday, December 14, 2023, 7:30PM
Gamble Auditorium, Baldwin-Wallace University, BEREA
Friday, December 15, 2023, 7:30PM
St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE
Saturday, December 16, 2023, 8:00PM
Federated Church, CHAGRIN FALLS
Sunday, December 17, 2023, 4:30PM
CLEVELAND Museum of Art (Gartner Auditorium)

Nights in Venice

Featured Artists
Nights in Venice

Nighttime in old Venice: music floating from cafés provided inspiration for composers from Claudio Monteverdi to Antonio Vivaldi. In our Venetian evening, dueling violinists set sparks flying in two Vivaldi double-concertos. Highlights from Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the famous Lamento della Ninfa remind us that love and betrayal often go hand in hand. …

Thursday, November 9, 2023, 7:30PM
The Temple-Tifereth Israel, BEACHWOOD
Friday, November 10, 2023, 7:30PM
AVON LAKE United Church of Christ

Fire and Joy

Featured Artists
Fire and Joy
from Bach and Vivaldi

J.S. Bach and Vivaldi loved to create moods – fiery, serene, or joyful. Apollo’s Fire principal players step into the spotlight in this program featuring double concertos, a Bach Oboe Concerto, and rarely heard sinfonias. Meet the viola d’amore, an instrument of love!

REPERTOIRE:
VIVALDI Concerto in D minor for Two Violins & Cello, RV 565
BACH Sinfonia …

Thursday, November 16, 2023, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church, AKRON
Friday, November 17, 2023, 7:30PM
LAKEWOOD United Methodist
Saturday, November 18, 2023, 8:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Sunday, November 19, 2023, 4:00PM
UNIVERSITY CIRCLE United Methodist Church

Splendour in London

Featured Artists
Splendour in London
Handel’s Water Music and Other Royal Festivities

Purcell and Handel gave artistic voice to the British royal family’s most festive and poignant moments. Jeannette Sorrell leads a sumptuous orchestra in Handel’s lively Water Music. The acclaimed Apollo’s Singers and soloists join for Purcell’s heartbreakingly beautiful Funeral Music for Queen Mary and sparkling selections from King Arthur. Handel’s splendid Zadok the Priest, with …

Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:30PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, AKRON
Friday, October 13, 2023, 7:30PM
LAKEWOOD United Methodist
Saturday, October 14, 2023, 8:00PM
Federated Church, CHAGRIN FALLS
Sunday, October 15, 2023, 5:00PM
Church of the Gesu, UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons rediscovered

Featured Artists
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons rediscovered
European Tour Send-Off Concert

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 …

Friday, April 7, 2023, 7:30PM
West Shore Unitarian Universalist, ROCKY RIVER
Saturday, April 8, 2023, 7:30PM
Federated Church, CHAGRIN FALLS

A Return to Bach’s Coffeehouse

Featured Artists
A Return to Bach’s Coffeehouse

NEW PROGRAM! A famous coffeehouse in 18th-c. Leipzig was the scene of lively orchestra concerts led by J.S. Bach. Concertmaster and Assistant Artistic Director Alan Choo leads this year’s version, featuring Vivaldi’s mysterious concerto La Notte (“Night”), and three musical fencing matches: Telemann’s Concerto for Flute & Recorder, Bach’s Concerto for Oboe & Violin, and …

Thursday, May 11, 2023, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church, AKRON
Friday, May 12, 2023, 7:30PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Saturday, May 13, 2023, 8:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Sunday, May 14, 2023, 4:00PM
ROCKY RIVER Presbyterian Church

Exile & Resilience

Featured Artists
Exile & Resilience
Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas
Created & Directed by Jeannette Sorrell
Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 7:30PM
CLEVELAND Museum of Art (Gartner Auditorium)

Muse of Fire

Featured Artists
Muse of Fire

Violinists Alan Choo and Emi Tanabe have won the hearts of audiences with their soulful, playful, and fiery virtuosity. Joined by 7 other friends on strings, lutes, harpsichord, and organ, they delve into the passionate music of 17th-century composers. Heinrich Biber’s joyful and dance-like sonata on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary meets …

Thursday, February 2, 2023, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church, AKRON
Friday, February 3, 2023, 7:30PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Saturday, February 4, 2023, 8:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Sunday, February 5, 2023, 4:00PM
ROCKY RIVER Presbyterian Church

Handel’s Messiah

Featured Artists
Handel’s Messiah
Jeannette Sorrell, conductor

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.

Pre-Concert Conversation 1 hour before each concert, hosted by Assistant Artistic Director Alan Choo, with oboist Debra Nagy (Dec. 6-8) and baritone …

Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 7:00PM
Federated Church, CHAGRIN FALLS
Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 7:00PM
LAKEWOOD United Methodist
Thursday, December 8, 2022, 7:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, AKRON
Saturday, December 10, 2022, 8:00PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS
Sunday, December 11, 2022, 5:00PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS

Storms and Tempests

Featured Artist
Storms and Tempests

The wild power of nature inspires this program of orchestral showpieces, including Vivaldi’s Tempesta di Mare (Storm at Sea) concerto featuring violinist Alan Choo; Marais’ tempest scene from Alcione; and gorgeous arias sung by Amanda Forsythe.

Program
VIVALDI | Sinfonia in G minor, RV 157

LULLY | Passecaille, from Persée

VIVALDI | Siam navi all’onde algenti, from L’Olimpiade
Amanda Forsythe, …

Thursday, November 10, 2022, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church, AKRON
Friday, November 11, 2022, 7:30PM
ROCKY RIVER Presbyterian Church
Saturday, November 12, 2022, 8:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Sunday, November 13, 2022, 4:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS

Monteverdi Vespers of 1610

Featured Artists
Monteverdi Vespers of 1610

The sensuous allure of the East and the structure of the West. They met in Venice in 1610 – and the splendor resounded. Jeannette Sorrell leads chorus, strings, brass, lutes, and soloists in Monteverdi’s sumptuous masterpiece.

“Hugely gripping… Sorrell and her forces brought superb energy and clarity… an exhilarating evening.”
– San Francisco Chronicle

10 Things to Know …

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 8:00PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS
Sunday, October 9, 2022, 4:00PM
St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE
Friday, October 14, 2022, 7:30PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, AKRON
Saturday, October 15, 2022, 8:00PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS

Vivaldi’s FOUR SEASONS rediscovered

Vivaldi’s FOUR SEASONS rediscovered

Watch Video

Hear the Music

Meet the Artists

Supported in part by

With additional support from

Mr. Robert Conrad
CD Recording Sponsor

Thursday, October 21, 2021, 7:30PM
St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE
Friday, October 22, 2021, 7:30PM
CLEVELAND Museum of Art (Gartner Auditorium)
Saturday, October 23, 2021, 8:00PM
The BATH Church (UCC)
Sunday, October 24, 2021, 4:00PM
CLEVELAND Museum of Art (Gartner Auditorium)
Monday, October 25, 2021, 7:30PM
St. Noel Catholic Church, WILLOUGHBY HILLS

MOZART and the Chevalier

30th Anniversary Celebration Concert
MOZART and the Chevalier
Apollo’s Fire Returns to Severance!

Hear the Music
Coming Soon!

Meet the Artists

Supported in part by

With additional support from
Ann Fairhurst & Mark Cipra
Worldwide Watch-at-Home Video Sponsor
William P. Blair III

Friday, May 6, 2022, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church, AKRON
Saturday, May 7, 2022, 8:00PM
SEVERANCE MUSIC CENTER, CLEVELAND
Sunday, May 8, 2022, 4:00PM
St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE

VIRTUOSO BACH & VIVALDI

VIRTUOSO BACH & VIVALDI

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Meet the Artists

These concerts are generously supported by
William P. Blair III

Friday, March 18, 2022, 7:30PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS
Saturday, March 19, 2022, 8:00PM
CLEVELAND Institute of Music (Kulas Hall)
Sunday, March 20, 2022, 4:00PM
ROCKY RIVER Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 7:30PM
The BATH Church (UCC)

Handel’s ISRAEL in EGYPT

Adaptation by Jeannette Sorrell
Handel’s ISRAEL in EGYPT
A Dramatic Oratorio

Listen to the Live Concert Recording
The Plague of Flies & Locusts

The Plague of Hailstones & Fire

But the Waters Overwhelmed The Enemy

The Lord shall reign… for the horse and his rider He hath thrown into the sea

Videos

Meet the Artists

These concerts are generously supported by
Karen & Richard Spector
Robert A. & Judith M. Weiss
CD Recording Sponsors

Thursday, February 17, 2022, 7:30PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, AKRON
Friday, February 18, 2022, 7:30PM
St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE
Saturday, February 19, 2022, 8:00PM
The Temple-Tifereth Israel, BEACHWOOD
Sunday, February 20, 2022, 7:00PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS

LIFT EV’RY VOICE

LIFT EV’RY VOICE
A Celebration of Brotherhood & Sisterhood

Watch Video

Hear the Music
Coming Soon!
Meet the Artists

These concerts are generously supported by
The Deveny Family
Tom & Marilyn McLaughlin
Worldwide Watch-at-Home Sponsors
Ed & Ellen Weber
Jonathan Woody Commission Sponsor

Friday, August 5, 2022, 7:30PM
Arlington Church of God, AKRON
Saturday, August 6, 2022, 8:00PM
AVON LAKE United Church of Christ
Sunday, August 7, 2022, 7:00PM
Cain Park, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS

Handel’s MESSIAH

Handel’s MESSIAH

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Meet the Artists

Supported in part by

Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 7:30PM
St. Bernard Catholic Church, AKRON
Thursday, December 9, 2021, 7:30PM
Federated Church, CHAGRIN FALLS
Friday, December 10, 2021, 7:30PM
CLEVELAND Museum of Art (Gartner Auditorium)
Saturday, December 11, 2021, 8:00PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS
Sunday, December 12, 2021, 3:00PM
St. Raphael Catholic Church, BAY VILLAGE

VIOLIN FANTASY

VIOLIN FANTASY
Tracing the Path from Biber to Bach

Hear the Music
Coming Soon!

Meet the Artists

These concerts are generously supported by
Ryan Siebel

Thursday, November 11, 2021, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church, AKRON
Friday, November 12, 2021, 7:30PM
ROCKY RIVER Presbyterian Church
Saturday, November 13, 2021, 8:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Sunday, November 14, 2021, 4:00PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS

Virtuosity

Virtuosity
Fireworks from J.S. Bach

Hear the Music

Watch Videos

Meet the Artists

These concerts are generously sponsored by

Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 3:00PM
AKRON Art Museum

Tapestry

This program replaces Handel’s oratorio Israel in Egypt, which cannot safely be performed in current pandemic conditions.
Tapestry
Jewish Ghettos of Baroque Italy
In 1600, Italy was home to a fascinating melting pot of Jews from northern Europe, Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East. Though confined to crowded ghettos, the Italian Jews enlivened Italy with a vibrant mix of Sephardic and Ashkenazi musical traditions. In Venice and Mantua, Jewish and Catholic composers such as Salamone Rossi, Claudio Monteverdi, and Benedetto Marcello worked side by side and influenced each other. Our 15 musicians weave a musical tapestry, from prayer to feasting. Hebrew chants and baroque settings of the Psalms meet instrumental virtuosity – including a sparkling Sammartini concerto featuring Israeli recorder virtuoso Daphna Mor.
Thursday, March 18, 2021, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church, AKRON
Friday, March 19, 2021, 7:30PM
AVON LAKE United Church of Christ
Saturday, March 20, 2021, 8:00PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS
Sunday, March 21, 2021, 4:00PM
First Baptist Church, SHAKER HEIGHTS

Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain

Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain
An Irish-Appalachian Celebration
Filmed at the Cleveland Museum of Art in 2017 & 2018, this communal celebration of the American immigrant experience, combines fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer, bagpipes, singers, and 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.
Friday, November 20, 2020, 3:00PM
AKRON Woman’s City Club

“The U.S.A.’s hottest baroque band.” –CLASSICAL MUSIC MAGAZINE (UK)