Violinist

Inspired by the 18th-century tradition of instrumentalists facing off in friendly yet breathtaking displays of skill, Apollo’s Fire principal players step into the spotlight with double-concertos by Bach, Vivaldi, and more. Repeating a few favorites from Round 1, and adding some daring surprises in Round 2, this will be an evening of dazzling agility among playful friends. This program heads to London following the local performance!

EPSG:4326

FENCING MATCH: Round Two Special Tour Send-Off Concert

Avon Lake United Church of Christ

Apollo’s Fire revels in fiery orchestral suites and concertos. Recorder virtuoso Daphna Mor performs Telemann’s famous Suite in A Minor for the first time on the AF stage. Violinists Alan Choo, Emi Tanabe, and Chloe Fedor take the spotlight in thrilling double and triple concertos by Vivaldi.

Virtuoso Brilliance

First United Methodist Church Of Akron

Rocky River Presbyterian Church

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Cleveland Heights

On Christmas night in Old Ireland, families and friends gathered for singing, storytelling, … and plenty of wassail. From a caroling party through the streets of Dublin to a holiday barn dance in Virginia, this heartwarming program follows the hopes and fears of the Irish who bravely crossed the Atlantic. Irish singer Fiona Gillespie joins with fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer, and bagpipes in this communal celebration of the American immigrant experience. The people of the mountains welcome the holidays with love, prayer, singing, and dancing!

WASSAIL! An Irish-American Christmas

Martin Theatre

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. The program culminates with a visit to the Jewish Ghetto of Venice – the scene of lively dances and the delightful Sephardic party-piece, Seven Ways to Cook Eggplant.

Nights in Venice

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 Vivaldi’s La Folia (“Madness”).

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons rediscovered

Federated Church

West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church

GRAMMY-winning conductor Jeannette Sorrell returns to PBO as part of the organization’s acclaimed Jews & Music program—bringing together members from her ensemble Apollo’s Fire alongside the Philharmonia Chamber Players and singers from the Philharmonia Chorale in this unique collaboration between two of the country’s most vital historical performance ensembles. In this new program, Sorrell draws on her previous work in acclaimed recordings of Jewish music—and her own Jewish roots— to create an exploration of Sephardic, Roman, and Ashkenazy musical traditions. From a soulful prayer of longing for Jerusalem, to a ballad of a lover betrayed, to a joyful wedding dance and neighborhood party, the sounds of plucked instruments, wooden flutes, and exotic percussion blend with the rhythms of daily life—love, singing, dancing and prayer. The company of performers, including musicians of Jewish, Palestinian, Yiddish, and Sephardic backgrounds, join in a program of solidarity and celebration. PBO Jews & Music Scholar in Residence Francesco Spagnolo will join Jeanette in conversation as they explore roots, music and more.

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra

Stanford University

In 17th-century England, great composers loved to take inspiration from popular tavern songs and dance tunes. Virtuoso violinist Alan Choo and six friends invite you on a delightful romp through John Playford’s collections of fiddle variations, alongside music of Dowland, Eccles, and Purcell. A cozy winter program with lute, recorder, baroque & Celtic harp, and more!

Violinist

Emi Tanabe

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 29 - Feb 2, 2027

FIDDLE VIRTUOSITY from the Pubs of Old London · Apollo's Fire

5 - 6 Feb, 2027

FIDDLE VIRTUOSITY from the Pubs of London (Chicago) · Apollo's Fire

Past events

Apr 16, 2026

FENCING MATCH: Round Two Special Tour Send-Off Concert · Apollo's Fire

6 - 9 Feb, 2025

Virtuoso Brilliance · Apollo's Fire

About

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