Wed 12/8-Sun 12/12
It’s that season: time to take out German baroque composer Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah out for a spin. And while purists will point out that as a hole, the work is not specifically Christmas-related —only the first of three parts deals with Christ’s birth; the other two deal with his deal resurrection, ascension and role as redeemer, it’s become a beloved December concert piece. (The famous “Halleluia” chorus is in Part II.)
The work is next up for Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland’s baroque concert, which they’ll perform in a series of five concerts. Don’t expect to see orchestra founder/artistic director Jeannette Sorrell leading the group, however. This time the honor will be done by 71-year-old British conductor (and, like Sorrell, also a harpsichordist) Nicholas McGegan, who has a long resume of positions as artistic director of festivals, principle conductor of orchestras and even (like Sorrell) the founder of his own chamber music group. (Presumably, Sorrell is taking time to prepare for her conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic December 14-18, where she’ll be joined by the Apollo’s Singers.)
Soloist for the Apollo’s Fire performances will be soprano Erica Schuller countertenor Daniel Moody, tenor Thomas Cooley and baritone Hadleigh Adams.
They’ll perform at Akron’s St. Bernard Catholic Church Wednesday December 8 @ 7:30pm; Federal Church in Chagrin Falls Thursday December 9 @ 7:30pm; the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gartner Auditorium Friday December 10 @ 7:30pm; First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights Saturday December 11 @8pm; and St. Raphael Catholic Church in Bay Village Sunday December 12 @ 3pm. McGegan will do a pre-show talk an hour before each show except Wednesday’s.
Tickets start at $26. To buy them, go to apollosfire.org. Masks are required at all concerts along with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.