APOLLO'S FIRE Announces 24th Season Under Music Director Jeannette Sorrell

Apollo's Fire, the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, proudly announces its 24th season under Music Director Jeannette Sorrell. Fresh from a series of highly prestigious international engagements this summer, Apollo's Fire enters a new era as one of Northeast Ohio's two world-class orchestras. Following the ensemble's triumphant debut at the Tanglewood Festival in July, the press remarked simply: "Apollo's Fire conquered Tanglewood. The encore truly brought the house down." (The Boston Music Intelligencer). With AF's already sold-out BBC Proms and Aldeburgh Festival debuts both slated for this August, "Apollo's Fire under the direction of Sorrell has put Cleveland firmly on the period-performance map" (The New Yorker). Cleveland's Baroque orchestra is setting the classical world Aflame. Surely some of those [tour audiences] are now jealous of Cleveland" (The Cleveland Plain Dealer).

Apollo's Fire is excited to bring it series world-class performances to the doorstep of local audiences in a continuous "tour" of Northeast Ohio neighborhoods during the 2015-16 Season. This season boasts an increased EIGHT productions with 27 performances October through April.

Additionally, the group will complete an international tour with European sensation Alina Ibragimova (violin) in late August, a national tour with famed soprano Amanda Forsythe in November, and national tour performances Bach's St. John's Passion in March - all with stops in Akron and Cleveland for local audiences. The 2015-16 season will also see the release/re-release of four CDs on international record label AVIE - following on the heels of AF's latest release "Sugarloaf Mountain" -which debuted in the Billboard Top 5 this past June!

New innovations in the 2015-16 season include the unveiling of AF's latest "experiential" endeavor. Many of the season concerts will offer an "Afterglow" - a post-concert party where patrons can mingle with musicians while enjoying themed beverage and light fare tailored to the program. For instance, come to the group's popular "Celtic Christmas" production Afterglow and chat with star soprano Meredith Hall or dancer Steven Player over Irish Christmas Cake and Christmas Ale. Some of the Afterglows will coincide with CD releases, so be sure to get an autograph over that beer!

Subscription Series:

Apollo's Fire begins its season with "Splendor of Venice, An Orchestral Extravaganza." The grand event of the evening is Vivaldi's Concerti for Molti Strumenti. An evening of overflowing virtuosity, Apollo's Fire showcases many of its seasoned musicians in concertos for three and four violins, plus concertos for oboe and bassoon. The venetian-themed party continues after the concert in AF's premiere "Afterglow" of the Season - chat with the musicians over Prosecco, cannoli, and live accordion music.

In November, AF brings renowned talent Benjamin Bagby (singer/storyteller/medieval harp) to town for a legendary interpretation of the Tolkein-esque medieval legend, Beowulf. Bagby was hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as "Artistic dynamism. Enthralling..." and chosen by the New York Times as one of the "Best Concerts of 2014." Friday's performance includes an "Afterglow" party of Medieval fare and lute music.

Also in November, Apollo's Fire is joined by beloved guest soprano, Amanda Forsythe in a concert of Handel & Vivaldi gems before setting out with Amanda for a national tour. AF is proud to serve as the orchestra for Amanda's solo debut album with a special release party to meet Amanda following the local send-off concert.

In December, Jeannette Sorrell reprises AF's popular and previously sold-out Christmas productions, "Sacrum Mysterium: A Celtic Christmas" and "Christmas Vespers: Music of Michael Praetorius." These perform in multiple neighborhoods around the Northeast Ohio region. Both programs are also available on CD.

In February, back by popular demand and accompanying the program's CD release, AF presents "Sephardic Journey: Wanderings of the Spanish Jews." With the colorful musical accents of Italy and the Middle East and exotic percussion, this crossover program interweaves Sephardic folk song with the Hebrew choral work of Salmone Rossi.

In March, Apollo's Fire tackles Bach's most dramatic and theatrical oratorio, "St. John's Passion." Opera News heralds Sorrell's interpretation as "revelatory...impassioned singing and playing bringing Bach's score to life with contemporary immediacy." A world-class array of singer-actors perform the character roles from memory and the renowned Apollo's Singers evoke the wild mob with fierce intensity in four local concerts before taking the program to New York City.

AF's subscription season culminates in "A Harlequin Romance" April 7-10. Featuring dancers Steve Player and Julie Andrijeski, the program interprets Telemann's lively character suites. Dance and music tell of the escapades of Commedia dell'arte's famous street theatre characters, Harlequin and his girlfriend Columbine.

Touring & Recording: Apollo's Fire performs twice in New York City this season - a return engagement at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with the Celtic Christmas program, and a debut at Trinity Wall Street (currently the leading early-music venue of NYC) with Sorrell's signature dramatic presentation of Bach's St John Passion. Apollo's Fire also returns to the Library of Congress, the renowned series of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and Penn State University. Additional appearances include the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Vassar College, and SUNY/Purchase in Westchester County, NY.

For complete touring details, please visit: http://www.apollosfire.org/touring/touring.html

British record label AVIE releases three Apollo's Fire CD's this season. "The Power of Love" - a disc of Handel and Vivaldi arias featuring soprano Amanda Forsythe, will be released in October. In November comes the international release of Sorrell's acclaimed compilation of music by Michael Praetorius, called A Christmas Vespers (previously released by Koch in North American only). The much-anticipated recording of "Sephardic Journey" will be released in February, to coincide with concerts of that program. Sephardic Journey premiered in February 2014 in five packed concerts, winning four rave reviews from local and international press.

Pre and Post-Concert Experiences:

New This year, AF unveils an "Afterglow" experience, post-concert parties following many of the season concerts. Chat with your friends and meet the musicians while enjoying wine, sparkling cider, hors d'oeuvres or cheesecake. Each "Afterglow" is tailored to fit the theme of the concert. Dates of the "Afterglow" parties are denoted in the season schedule section of the press release.

AF continues its popular Pre-concert Talks for the 2015-16 Season. Join the large and lively crowd that attends these FREE talks, one hour before most subscription performances. These talks are given by AF Musicians & Visiting Scholars who offer unique insight to the program based on their experiential perspective.

Subscriptions & Tickets:

Subscription packages are on sale now, including ticket discounts of up to 25%. Subscribers may choose from eight productions to purchase a four-concert, five-concert, six-concert, or seven-concert subscription package ranging from $37 (for students) to $384.

Single Tickets range from $20-$72 with special rates for students, seniors, and young adults (under 30). Single tickets are available for purchase now by phone, or online beginning SEPTEMBER 15th. For more information or to request a season brochure, please visit the website at www.apollosfire.org or call Apollo's Fire at (216) 320-0012 or (800) 314-2535.

Dates and locations of the programs are as follows:

Splendor of Venice

An orchestral extravaganza

October 15-18, 2015

*Thursday, October 15, 7:30 PM Fairlawn Lutheran Church

*Friday, October 16, 8:00 PM Fairmount Presbyterian Church, Cleveland Hts.

*Saturday, October 17, 8:00 PM Fairmount Presbyterian Church,Cleveland Hts. *Sunday, October 18, 4:00 PM Rocky River Presbyterian Church

Beowulf

The Medieval Legend

With Benjamin Bagby, singer/storyteller & medieval harp

November 13-17, 2015

*Friday, November 13, 8:00 PM St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights

Saturday, November 14, 8:00 PM Reinberger Chamber Hall (Severance) Cleveland

Tuesday, November 17, 7:30 PM First United Methodist, Akron

Tour Send-Off:

The Power of Love Passions of Handel & Vivaldi

With Amanda Forsythe, soprano

* Sunday, November 15, 4:00 PM Gamble Auditorium, BW University, Berea

Sacrum mysterium

A Celtic Christmas

December 9 - 13, 2015

**Wednesday, December 9, 7:00 PM Christ Presbyterian Church, Canton

*Saturday, December 12, 8:00 PM First Baptist Church, Shaker Hts.

*Sunday, December 13, 4:00 PM St. Noel Church, Willoughby Hills

**Tickets for the Canton performance available only from CPC; please call 330.456.8113 or visit

www.cantoncpc.org/musicseries

Christmas Vespers

Music of Michael Praetorius

December 17 - 20, 2015

Thursday, December 17, 7:30 PM The Bath Church (UCC), Bath

Friday, December 18, 8:00 PM First Baptist Church, Shaker Hts.

Saturday, December 19, 8:00 PM First Baptist Church, Shaker Hts.

Sunday, December 20, 4:00 PM St. Christopher Church, Rocky River

Sephardic Journey

Wanderings of the Spanish Jews

February 4 - 7, 2016

Thursday, February 4, 7:30 PM Fairlawn Lutheran Church, Fairlawn

*Friday, February 5, 8:00 PM St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Cleveland Hts.

Saturday, February 6, 8:00 PM Maltz Performing Arts Center, Cleveland

*Sunday, February 7, 4:00 PM Gamble Auditorium, BW University, Berea

J.S. Bach

St. John Passion: Passio secundum Johannem

A Dramatic Presentation

March 3 - 6, 2016

Thursday, March 3, 7:30 PM The Bath Church, UCC, Bath

Friday, March 4, 8:00 PM First Baptist Church, Shaker Hts.

Saturday, March 5, 8:00 PM Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland

Sunday, March 6, 4:00 PM St. Christopher Church, Rocky River

A Harlequin Romance

April 7 - 10, 2016

*Thursday, April 7, 7:30 PM The Bath Church, UCC, Bath

*Friday, April 8, 8:00 PM St. Noel Church, Willoughby Hills

Saturday, April 9, 8:00 PM Maltz Performing Arts Center, Cleveland

Sunday, April 10, 4:00 PM Gamble Auditorium, BW University, Berea

* denotes an "Afterglow"

About Apollo's Fire:

Named for the classical god of music and the sun, Apollo's Fire was founded in 1992 by the award- winning young harpsichordist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell. Sorrell envisioned an ensemble dedicated to the baroque ideal that music should evoke the various Affekts or passions in the listeners. Apollo's Fire is a collection of creative artists who share Sorrell's passion for drama and rhetoric.

Hailed as "one of the pre-eminent period-instrument ensembles" (The Independent, London), Apollo's Fire made its London debut in 2010 in a sold-out concert at Wigmore Hall, with a BBC broadcast. AF returned to Europe in 2011 and 2014, and has been met with standing ovations at Madrid's Royal Theatre, Bordeaux's Grand Théàtre de l'Opéra, and major venues in Lisbon, Metz (FR), Birmingham (UK) and Bregenz (Austria). AF's London 2014 concert was praised as "an evening of superlative music-making" (The Telegraph, UK). This concert was chosen by the Telegraph as one of the "Best 5 Classical Music Moments of 2014."

In August the ensemble makes debuts at the BBC Proms (London,) Aldeburgh Festival (UK), and the Festival Paesaggi Musicali Toscani in Italy.

Apollo's Fire has also toured throughout North America. They made their Tanglewood Festival debut in July 2015, in a sold-out concert with rave reviews. Other appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, the Boston Early Music Festival series, the Library of Congress, and major venues in Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The ensemble has performed two major U.S. tours of the Monteverdi Vespers (2010 and 2014) and a 9-concert tour of the Brandenburg Concertos in 2013. Apollo's Fire is signed to Columbia Artists Management (CAMI) for exclusive representation in North and South America, and is managed in the U.K. by Intermusica.

At home in Cleveland, Apollo's Fire enjoys sold-out performances at its subscription series, which has drawn national attention for creative programming. Apollo's Fire has released 21 commercial CD's, and currently records for the British label AVIE. Since the ensemble's introduction into the European CD market in 2010, the recordings have won glowing reviews in the London press. Five of the ensemble's CD releases have become bestsellers in the U.S. (Billboard classical chart): the Monteverdi Vespers, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, and Jeannette Sorrell's three crossover programs, Come to the River; Sacrum Mysterium - A Celtic Christmas Vespers; and Sugarloaf Mountain - An Appalachian Gathering, which was released in June 2015 and immediately reached #5 on the Billboard bestseller list.

About Jeannette Sorrell:

Jeannette Sorrell has quickly gained international attention as a leading creative voice among the new generation of early-music conductors. She has been credited by the U.K.'s BBC Music Magazine for forging "a vibrant, life-affirming approach to the re-making of early music... a seductive vision of musical authenticity."

Born in the U.S. of Swiss and American parents, Sorrell was one of the youngest students ever accepted to the prestigious conducting courses of the Aspen and the Tanglewood music festivals. She studied conducting under Robert Spano, Roger Norrington and Leonard Bernstein, and harpsichord with Gustav Leonhardt in Amsterdam. She won both First Prize and the Audience Choice Award in the 1991 Spivey International Harpsichord Competition, competing against over 70 harpsichordists from Europe, Israel, the U.S., and the Soviet Union.

Sorrell founded Apollo's Fire in 1992. Since then, she and the ensemble have built one of the largest audiences of any baroque orchestra in North America. She has led AF in sold-out concerts at London's Wigmore Hall, Madrid's Royal Theatre (Teatro Real), the Grand Théâtre de l'Opéra in Bordeaux, Boston's Early Music Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival, among others.

Sorrell made her debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony in 2013 as conductor and soloist in the complete Brandenburg Concertos. With standing ovations every night, the event was hailed as "an especially joyous occasion" (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). She has also appeared as conductor or conductor/soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis with the St. Louis Symphony, and the Handel & Haydn Society (Boston), and has appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra as guest keyboard artist. In 2015 she made her debut at the Tanglewood Festival (conductor/soloist in a sold-out concert) and with the New World Symphony in Miami, and returned to the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Sorrell and Apollo's Fire have released 21 commercial CDs, of which five have been bestsellers in the U.S. Her recordings include the complete Brandenburg Concerti and harpsichord concerti of Bach (with Sorrell as harpsichord soloist and director) is a Top 10 bestseller (Billboard classical chart) and was praised by the London Sunday Times as "a swaggering version... brilliantly played by Sorrell." She has also released four discs of Mozart, and was hailed as "a near-perfect Mozartian" by Fanfare Record Magazine. Other recordings include Handel's Messiah, the Monteverdi Vespers (Billboard Top 10) and three creative crossover projects: Come to the River - An Early American Gathering (Billboard Top 10); Sacrum Mysterium - A Celtic Christmas Vespers (Billboard #11); and most recently, Sugarloaf Mountain - An Appalachian Gathering, which debuted in June 2015 at #5 on the Billboard bestseller list.

Sorrell has attracted national attention and awards for creative programming. She holds an honorary doctorate from Case Western University, two special awards from the National Endowment for the Arts for her work on early American music, and an award from the American Musicological Society. Passionate about guiding the next generation of performers, Ms. Sorrell has led many baroque projects for students at Oberlin Conservatory.

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Contact Sarah Blue for photographs or additional information about the program.

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