Storms & Tempests

From nature’s tempests to the storms of the heart… Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire salute the power of nature with reverence, awe, and “crackling intensity” (ClevelandClassical.com). Vivaldi’s dazzling Tempesta di Mare (Storm at Sea) violin concerto meets gorgeous and virtuosic arias from Handel (including “Da Tempeste”) and Vivaldi or Graun. The orchestra nearly lifts off in the famous tempest scene from Marin Marais’ Alcione, as three percussionists battle with 18th-century “storm” instruments – the wind machine, thunder sheet, and bass drum.

The troupe of 16-18 musicians includes soprano soloist and period-instrument players on strings, woodwinds, lutes, harpsichord, and percussion.

“Apollo’s Fire in full blaze… Jeannette Sorrell is a master of program building. Here she assembled a compelling arc of French and Italian music, contrasting the elegance of the former with the drama of the latter…. They all seemed on the verge of taking off dancing. Soprano Amanda Forsythe [sang] with brilliance and wit, and a sheer delight in vocal pyrotechnics.” [READ MORE]
– SEEN & HEARD INTERNATIONAL (UK)

“’Storms and Tempests’ entertained a packed house, as Apollo’s Fire played up the drama of both nature and love. Concertmaster Alan Choo brought crackling intensity to Vivaldi’s ‘Tempesta di Mare’ Violin Concerto… whirling arpeggios and devilish technical passages. The most fun moments of the night were André Grétry’s ‘Marche égyptienne’ from Caravan de Caire — with the traditional slinky chromaticism to whisk the listener away to a foreign land — and the Storm and Sailors’ Scene from Marais’ Alcione.” [READ MORE]
– CLEVELANDCLASSICAL.COM