Music of the Baroque

Music of the Baroque is a distinguished classical music ensemble based in the Chicago metropolitan area, renowned for its specialized performance of eighteenth-century works. As one of the leading groups in its field within the United States, the ensemble comprises a professional chorus and orchestra that have been celebrated for their artistic excellence. The ensemble was established over four decades ago and has since been instrumental in presenting premiere performances of several early music masterpieces. Their repertoire includes seminal works such as Claudio Monteverdi's operas and his 1610 Vespers, Georg Philipp Telemann's "Day of Judgment," Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Idomeneo," along with numerous operas and oratorios by George Frideric Handel. Music of the Baroque has garnered acclaim for its interpretations of the major choral and orchestral compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Joseph Haydn. The 2022-2023 season marks significant milestones for the ensemble with the 20th anniversaries of Music Director Dame Jane Glover and Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kraemer. In April 2022, Andrew Megill joined the ensemble as the Chorus Director, further strengthening the leadership team. Critics have lauded the ensemble, with Opera News referring to Music of the Baroque as one of Chicago's musical glories. The Chicago Sun-Times has also praised the ensemble, noting that while the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are prominent figures in the local classical music scene, Music of the Baroque matches them in the quality of performance. Music of the Baroque attracts audiences from all over the Chicago area, performing not only at major venues like the Harris Theater in Millennium Park and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie but also in various intimate church settings throughout Chicago and its suburbs. The ensemble's performances are also accessible to listeners nationwide through radio broadcasts and recordings on 98.7WFMT Radio. The ensemble has produced several recordings, including "Messiah—Live in Chicago," recorded live during the 2021-2022 season; Bach's "Mass in B Minor," from the 2019-2020 season; and "On This Night," capturing live performances from the 2017 and 2014 holiday concerts conducted by William Jon Gray. Furthermore, Music of the Baroque is committed to educational outreach through its Strong Voices program, which aims to support and enhance music education in Chicago's public high schools. For those interested in the ensemble's current offerings, complete information about the 2022/23 season and performances can be found on their official website.