Name: Vivaldi & Friends
Start: 2026-04-17T17:00:00

Music of the Baroque's 2025-2026 season promises an unforgettable journey through the captivating eras of Baroque and beyond. From Gluck's emotionally charged 'Orfeo ed Euridice' to Bach's intricate 'Brandenburg Concertos,' this season showcases the timeless beauty and complexity of classical music. International stars like Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and Heidi Stober join revered conductor Dame Jane Glover, and the season features a dazzling array of choral and orchestral works. Each performance offers a vivid exploration of music's power to evoke emotion and celebrate the human spirit.

A Harmonious Journey Through the Baroque: Music of the Baroque's 2025-2026 Season

Immerse yourself in a musical journey through the Baroque era with the Music of the Baroque's compelling lineup of events. From the emotional depths of 'Orfeo ed Euridice' to the festive 'Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts,' these performances promise unforgettable experiences. Featuring renowned conductors like Dame Jane Glover and Nicholas Kraemer, and talented soloists such as Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and Heidi Stober, each event offers a unique insight into the richness of Baroque music. Explore themes of love, faith, familial ties, and celestial beauty through a series of breathtaking concerts.

A Symphony of Baroque Masterpieces: Musical Journeys and Timeless Classics

Gina DiBello

Fabio Biondi

Music of the Baroque

Celebrate the season with Messiah, Handel’s beloved homage to hope, faith, and triumph. From the soul-stirring “Comfort ye, my people” to the exhilarating “Hallelujah Chorus,” this glorious retelling of a timeless story is a thrilling dramatic experience. Dame Jane Glover leads the Chorus, Orchestra, and an illustrious cast featuring the Music of the Baroque debuts of GRAMMY-nominated mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and Ryan Opera Center alum Will Liverman.

Handel's Messiah

Symphony Center

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie

Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kraemer directs this decades-long Chicago tradition for the very first time. The Chorus and Brass Ensemble bring to life festive music from the medieval era through the Baroque, including works by Gabrieli, Palestrina, Josquin, Praetorius, and many more. Secure seats early for always sold-out performances of inspiring music in Chicago’s most beautiful spaces.

Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts

St Michael Catholic Church in Old Town

Alice Millar Chapel

Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest

Sts Faith, Hope, And Charity Catholic Church

Explore the intricate ties between fathers and sons in a captivating evening with Demarre McGill, principal flute of the Seattle Symphony. J. S. Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 4 exudes Baroque grandeur, while his son C. P. E. shatters tradition with daring contrasts in his Flute Concerto in G Major. W. A. Mozart, ever eager to impress his father, highlights brilliance in his Flute Concerto in D Major, but how does it compare to Leopold Mozart’s Second Symphony? Come and decide which Mozart reigns supreme!

Fathers & Sons

Harris Theater

Prepare for Baroque brilliance with Richard Egarr at the helm! The former Philharmonia Baroque and Academy of Ancient Music director guest-conducts heart-stopping hits from the 17th and 18th centuries and moves to the harpsichord for the electrifying solos in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. Rowan Pierce, whose silvery soprano enchanted fans of the Netflix series Bridgerton, makes her Music of the Baroque debut with Handel’s virtuosic “Silete venti” (“Be silent, winds”). Selections from Purcell’s joyful Fairy Queen complete this spectacular program.

Baroque Blockbusters!

Italian violinist and conductor Fabio Biondi, world-renowned for “blazing, fierce performances” (Washington Classical Review) with his ensemble Europa Galante, brings his irrepressible energy to the Orchestra as he leads a high-voltage program centered around Vivaldi, those who inspired him (Geminiani and Corelli), and those he inspired, like Nardini and Pugnani. Concertmaster Gina DiBello joins Biondi for Vivaldi’s Concerto for 2 Violins in G Minor. Make new discoveries and hear familiar favorites afresh!

Vivaldi & Friends

Conductor Andrew Megill leads a celebration of our Chorus in breathtaking spaces. From the intricate counterpoint and surprising dissonance of Machaut’s Kyrie and Andrieu’s Armes, amours to the Renaissance splendor of Ockeghem, Josquin, and Byrd, the evolution of choral music unfolds. Tallis’s breathtaking 40-part motet, Spem in alium (Hope in no other), soars alongside Monteverdi’s highly expressive madrigals and Bach’s deeply moving Komm, Jesu, komm and Jesu, meine Freude.

Vivaldi & Friends

Articles & News