The Apollo Chorus to Perform CHORAL CLASSICS at University of Chicago, 3/7

On the heels of the hit 135th anniversary engagements of Handel's "Messiah," the Apollo Chorus will present a celebration of music from some of history's most iconic composers during their Choral Classics concert in one of Chicago's most dramatic settings. Britten's Simple Symphony, Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Schubert's Mass in A-flat will be performed Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave. The historic chapel provides an extraordinary venue for the concert, featuring the 120-member choir conducted by the Apollo Chorus Music Director Dr. Stephen Alltop.

The engaging journey from 19th century Vienna to 20th century England and America will be performed in collaboration with the Renovo String Orchestra and will feature solos from Tracy Cantin, Julie Anne Miller, Peder Reiff, and Richard Ollarsaba. Lauridsen's sublime "O nata lux" movement and Schubert's dynamic composition will soar in the Rockefeller Chapel.

Following Choral Classics, the music of the Apollo Chorus will conclude with the exhilarating season finale Spring Concert, International Voices, on Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut Street, and Sunday, May 3 at 3:00 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst.

The Apollo Chorus is Chicago's oldest musical organization, founded in 1872 in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, performing preeminent choral works at premier venues. Newcity raves that "Alltop's unbroken track record for training his chorus to express such varieties of style and color rivals any other in the city!" Its approximately 120 auditioned members include men and women of all ages, races, and backgrounds brought together by their love of music. The Apollo Chorus has performed at notable historic events, such as the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the Century of Progress International Exposition, the opening of Medinah Temple, the opening of Orchestra Hall (Apollo was considered the official chorus of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra prior to the formation of the Symphony Chorus), the opening of Navy Pier, and the "Oprah Surprise Spectacular." The Apollo Chorus continually strives to advance musically and to share the power, beauty and majesty of choral music by presenting concerts and educational programs for diverse communities throughout Chicago and beyond.

Tickets to the Choral Classics concert are $30 with student tickets at $10. To purchase individual tickets or to book a group, call 312.427.5620 or visit www.apollochorus.org.