2025-2026 PRAETORIUS Christmas Vespers
Apollo's Fire's Praetorius Christmas Vespers CDs make great holiday gifts! For sale in the lobby at intermission and after the concert. Jeannette Sorrell will be available to sign your copies in the lobby after most of these performances.
“Sheer delight... virtually made to herald the joy of the Christmas season.”
– THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Charged with all Apollo’s Fire’s signature energy… a spark that grows into a blaze”
– GRAMOPHONE
Available for purchase online at apollosfire.org. Also available digitally on Amazon, Apple Music and Spotify.
Board of Directors
Chair
Charles A. Bittenbender
Chair Emeritus
James B. Rosenthal
Vice Chairs
Michael J. Meehan
Noha Ryder
Treasurer
Ryan Siebel
Assistant Treasurer
Meng “Locky” Liu
Secretary
Andrew Gordon-Seifert
Jeffrey P. Barnett
Karl Bekeny
Amy K. Carlson
Kathleen Cerveny*
Thomas Clark*
Patricia Costante
Nicole Divall**
Michael Frank, M.D. J.D.
Ka-Pi Hoh, Ph.D.
Thomas Forrest Kelly, Ph.D.
Richard J. Lederman, M.D. Ph.D.
John Olejko
Linda M. Olejko
Shay Olson
Kim S. Parry
William A. Powel
David J. Reimer
Phillip Rowland-Seymour
Elisa Ross, M.D.
Jeannette Sorrell*
Kathie Stewart**
Rebecca Storey
Herb Wainer
David Walker*
Ed Weber, D.O.
Apollo’s Fire Chicago
Elisa Ross M.D., President
Katrina Pipasts, President Emeritus
Doug Miller, Vice President
Patricia (“Patti”) Skigen, Secretary
Shay Olson, Treasurer
Michael Angell
Charles A. Bittenbender
Stephanie Champi
Patricia Costante
Blondean Davis, Ed.D.
Rosalind Jackson, Ph.D.
Marietta McPike
Michael J. Meehan
Florence Nelson
Phillip Rowland-Seymour
Marlon Rucker
James C. Sheinin, M.D.
Jeannette Sorrell*
David Walker*
Community Advisors
Rodrigo Lara Alonso
Nathália Montezuma
Dianna White-Gould
Continuo Society
Akron Advisory Board
Thomas Clark, chair
Theron Brown
Esther Cooper
Susan Delahanty
Barbara Feld
Ashlee Foreman
William Foster
Walter Keith
Geraldine Kiefer
George Litman, M.D.
Kenneth E. Shafer, M.D.
Sandra R. Smith
Libby Upton
David Walker*
The Ambassadors Council
Mitchell G. Blair
Frances S. Buchholzer
Robert Conrad
William E. Conway
Samuel S. Hartwell
Vivian Henoch
Rabbi Roger C. Klein
Annette Lowe
Deb Nash
John Olejko
Linda M. Olejko
Robert Reynolds, M.D.
Allison Richards
Kasia G. Rothenberg, M.D., Ph.D.
Sandra R. Smith
Susan Troia
Ed Weber, D.O.
*ex officio **Musicians’ Representative
Apollo’s Fire recognizes and sends continued thanks to all former members of the Board of Directors who have so generously contributed their time, talents and financial resources over the years. Just as the continuo is the foundation of baroque music, these visionary individuals, through their service on the board, have been the foundation of Apollo’s Fire.
Thomas S. Allen
Bonnie Baker
James Berlinski
William P. Blair III†
Christine Brez
Arthur V. N. Brooks†
Sally Brown†
Richard Buffett
Thomas Clark
Nancy Bell Coe
Ronald Crutcher
T. Clifford Deveny, M.D.
Clarence Drichta
Ross W. Duffin
James Ehrman
Ann Fairhurst
Suzanne Ferguson
William J. Flemm
Mark Floyd
John Gibbon
Robert C. Gilkeson, M.D.
Scott Gonia
Joyce Graham
Paula Grooms
Norman C. Harbert†
Russell Hardy
Samuel Harris
Jonathan Hatch
John D. Heavenrich
Marguerite B. Humphrey†
Conway Ivy
Denise Jackson
Robert H. Jackson†
Delia Jarantilla
Marjorie H. Kitchell†
Katherine Larson
Donald Laubacher
William H. Lennon
Fred J. Livingstone
David Love
Michael Lynn
Stephen A. Mahoney, M.D.†
Polly Morganstern
Donald W. Morrison†
Clyde L. Nash, M.D.†
Charlotte Newman
Leroy B. Parks, Jr.
Brendan Patterson
Thomas F. Peterson, Jr.
Jane Pickering
Ronald Potts, M.D.
Sanford Reichart
Robert Reynolds, M.D.
Shawn Riley
Richard Rodda
Alex Sales, D.D.S.
Sandra F. Selby
William Sheldon, M.D.
John Shelley
Daniel Shoskes
Carsten Sierck
Kempton Smith
Kathie Lynne Stewart
Eugenia Strauss
Susan Troia
Lee Warshawsky
Carol Wipper
Lynne Woodman
Roger Wright
Dave Young
Welcome to AF's Praetorius Christmas Vespers!
We are thrilled to welcome you to the next performance in this already triumphant season!
Praised as “a sheer delight” by the New York Times, our Christmas Vespers program returns on the 20th anniversary of its premiere, and following a ten-year hiatus. This tourde-force program created by Jeannette Sorrell is a uniquely multi-generational celebration of the holiday season, with our talented young Musettes Ensemble joining our world-class orchestra, chorus, and guest artists. Our youthful singers have prepared for these performances with dedication, discipline and love – and the experience will stay with them for a lifetime.
As we look ahead to 2026, we are excited to share some upcoming highlights, including our return to New York City on Sunday April 12, with our beloved and timely program, O Jerusalem! – Crossroads of Three Faiths; and our return to London during April 24-26, with a multi-program residency at the renowned St Martin-in-the-Fields. We hope you will join us and your fellow AF fans for one or both of these adventures! More info is on p. 30.
As we celebrate this time of year, we receive great support through our yearend campaign. We hope that when you leave our concert tonight filled with the holiday spirit, you will be moved to join our campaign to help us continue to engage world-class musicians, deliver innovative programming, and serve our community through our Community Access Initiative.
Thank you for your commitment and support of our much-beloved orchestra and choir, Apollo’s Fire.
Happy Holidays to all!
Charles A. Bittenbender
David Walker Chairman of the Board Managing Director
THANK YOU to our sponsors!
The performances at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland are generously sponsored by
JAMIE & JEFF
BARNETT
The December 19th performance at Trinity Cathedral is generously co-sponsored by ELLEN &
MIKE MEEHAN
Performing on historical instruments, Apollo’s Fire brings to life music of the past for audiences of today — with Passion. Period.
PRAETORIUS Christmas Vespers
Jeannette Sorrell, conductor & program curation
Rebecca Myers, Molly Netter, Andréa Walker*, sopranos
Doug Dodson, countertenor
Michael Jones, Matthew Newhouse, tenors
Matthew Dexter, bass with Apollo’s Singers and Apollo’s Musettes (Treble Youth Choir)
*Apollo’s Fire MOSAIC Artist
Friday, December 12, 7:00pm St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Akron, OH
Sunday, December 14, 3:00pm Church of the Holy Family, Chicago, IL
Monday, December 15, 7:00pm Saints Faith, Hope, & Charity, Winnetka, IL
Tuesday, December 16, 7:30pm University of Notre Dame, IN
Thursday, December 18, 7:00pm Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland, OH
Friday, December 19, 7:00pm Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland, OH
Saturday, December 20, 7:00pm First Baptist Church, Shaker Heights, OH
Sunday, December 21, 4:00pm St. Raphael Catholic Church, Bay Village, OH
CHRISTMAS VESPERS
Selections from Polyhymnia caduceatrix… (1619), Musica Sionæ and Puericinium (1621), and Terpsichore (1612) by Michael Prætorius (1571-1621)
Edited & compiled by Jeannette Sorrell
PART I
Awaiting the Messiah: A Lutheran Advent Service
PROCESSIONAL
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland
Chorale melody by Martin Luther, arrangement/English adaptation Sorrell
Nun komm der heiden Heiland
Polyphonic setting from Polyhymnia caduceatrix (PC)
HYMN: Wachet auf!
Chorale setting by Philip Nicolai, polyphonic setting from PC
Molly Netter, Doug Dodson, Michael Jones, Matthew Dexter
The Ten Commandments, from Musica Sionæ (MS)
Elora Kares, Aika Birch, Beatrice Watkins (Ohio only), Federica Salvagni
Puer natus in Bethlehem, from PC
OFFERTORY
Ach, mein Herre, from PC
Rebecca Myers, Molly Netter, Andréa Walker
CREDO
Wir glauben all an einem Gott
Melody by Martin Luther, harmonized setting from MS
Rebecca Myers, Molly Netter, Andréa Walker
Dances from Terpsichore
GLORIA
Glori sei Gott, from PC
PART II
A Vespers Service for Christmas Day
GOSPEL LESSON (plainchant)
There were shepherds abiding in the fields… Luke II: 7-14
HYMN: Quem pastores, from Puericinium
Aika Birch, Rosie Horvarth, Federica Salvagni, Isabel Strozewski (Ohio), Elora Kares (Chicago)
ANTIPHON: Christum wir sollen loben
Chorale melody by Martin Luther
MAGNIFICAT – PARTS I AND II , from PC
CAROL: O Morning Star, from PC
Elora Kares, Kristine Caswelch
MAGNIFICAT – PARTS III AND IV
CAROL: Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming, from MS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION: Benedicamus æterno Regi from Eulogodia Sionia (1611)
ORGAN VOLUNTARY: Nun lob mein Seel, from MS
Peter Bennett, organ
CLOSING HYMN – RECESSIONAL
In dulci jubilo / Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, from PC
Rebecca Myers, Elora Kares, & Company
Texts & Translations
PART I
PROCESSIONAL
MEN
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, der Jungfrauen kind erkannt, des sich wundert alle Welt, Gott solch geburt ihm bestellt.
Come, thou Savior of the earth! We await thy humble birth Filled with wonder, joy and fear, As the holy hour draws near.
WOMEN
Of a maiden meek and mild, Shalt thou come, most holy Child. Fruit of Mary’s womb thou art, Pure of spirit, clean of heart.
CHILDREN
Shining stable in the night, Shepherds marvel at the light. Sheep lay quiet in the straw, Waiting, watching, filled with awe.
ALL
Darkness cannot hide thy flame, Shining bright as Jesus’ name. Welcome, O my Savior, come! Child of Mary, God’s own Son.
Honor unto God be done; Honor to his only Son; Honor to the Holy Ghost; We prepare thy Child to host.
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, Der Jungfauen Kind erkannt, Des sich wundert alle Welt, Gott solch Geburt ihm bestellt.
REFRAIN:
Lob sei Gott dem Vater ton, Lob sei Gott seim einigen Sohn, Lob seit Gott dem heilgen Geist, Immer und in Ewigkeit.
Nicht von Mannsblut noch von Fleisch, Allein von dem heiligen Geist Ist Gottes Wort worden ein Mensch, Und blüht ein Frucht Weibes Fleisch. Refrain.
Come, Savior of nations wild, Of the maiden owned the Child; Fill with wonder all the earth, God should grant it such a birth.
REFRAIN:
Honor unto God be done; Honor to His only Son; Honor to the Holy Ghost. Now, and ever, ending not. Not of man’s flesh or man’s blood, Only of the Spirit of God, Is His Word a man become, Of woman’s flesh the ripened bloom. Refrain.
Praetorius Christmas Vespers
Der Jungfraun Leib schwanger ward
Doch bleib Keuschheit rein bewahrt, Leucht herfür manch Tugend schon Gott da war in seinem Tron. Refrain.
Der du bist dem Vater gleich
Führ hinaus den Sieg im Fleisch, Daß dein ewig Gottes Gewalt In uns das Krank Fleisch enthalt. Refrain.
Wachet auf!
HYMN
Wake, awake, for night is flying, The watchmen on the heights are crying; Awake, Jerusalem, at last!
Midnight hears the welcome voices, And at the thrilling cry rejoices; “Come forth, you maidens! Night is past. The bridegroom comes! Awake; Your lamps with gladness take!” Alleluia!
Prepare yourselves to meet the Lord, Whose light has stirred the waiting guard.
Zion hears the watchmen singing, And in her heart new joy is springing, She wakes, she rises from her gloom. For her Lord comes down all glorious, The strong in grace, in truth victorious. Her star is ris’n, her light is come. Oh, come, you Blessed One, Lord Jesus, God’s own son. Sing Hosanna!
We go until the halls we view Where you have bid us dine with you.
Maiden she was found with child, Chastity yet undefiled; Many a virtue from her shone; God was there as in His throne. Refrain.
Thou, the Father’s form express, Get Thee victory in flesh, That Thy godlike power in us
Make weak flesh victorious. Refrain.
Prætorius’s setting
Wachet auf, ruft un die Stimme der Wächter sehr hoch auf der Zinne.
Wach auf, du Stadt Jerusalem! Mitternacht heißt diese Stunde sie rufen uns mit hellem Munde
Wo seid ihr, klugen Jungfrauen?
Wacht auf, der Bräutgam kommt! Steht auf, die Lampen nehmt.
Halleluja!
Macht euch bereit zu der Hochzeit. Ihr müsset ihm entgegen gehn.
Texts & Translations (continued)
The Ten Commandments
Mensch, willst du leben seliglich Und bei Gott bleiben ewiglich, Sollst du halten die zehn Gebot, Die uns gebeut unser Gott. Kyrioleis.
Dein Gott und Herr allein bin ich, Kein ander Gott soll irren dich, Trauen soll mir das Herze dein, Mein eigen Reich sollst du sein. Kyrioleis.
Du sollst mein Namen ehren schon, Und in der Not mich rufen an, Du sollst heilgen den Sabbathtag, Daß ich in dir wirken mag. Kyrioleis.
Dem Vater und der Mutter dein, Sollst du nach mir gehorsam sein, Niemand töten noch zornig sein, Und deie Ehe halten rein. Kyrioleis.
Du sollst eim andren stehlen nicht, Auf niemands Falsches zeugen nicht, Deines Nächsten Weib nicht begehrn, Und all seins Guts gern entbehrn. Kyrioleis.
Puer natus in Bethlehem
Puer natus in Bethlehem, Unde gaudet Hierusalem. Alleluja!
REFRAIN:
Singet, jubiliret, triumphieret Unserm Herren, dem König der Erhen. Reges de Saba veniunt, Aurum, thus, myrrham offerunt. Alleluja! Refrain.
Hic jacet in præsepio Qui regnat sine termino. Alleluja! Refrain.
Mein herzens kindlein, Mein liebstes Freundlein, O Jesu.
In hoc natali gaudio, Benedicamus Domino. Alleluja! Refrain.
Man, if you would lead a blessed life, And live with God eternally, You should observe the Ten Commandments Given to us by God. Kyrie eleison.
I alone am your Lord and God, You shall have no other gods before me. Keep me dear in your heart, And you shall live in my kingdom. Kyrie eleison.
My name you shall hold dear, and call on me in the night. You shall honor the Sabbath day, That I may work through you. Kyrie eleison.
After me, you shall obey Your father and mother. Do not be angry or kill anyone; And hold your marriage pure.
Kyrie eleison.
You shall not steal from others, Nor speak falsely of anyone. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, Nor any of his goods.
Kyrie eleison.
A boy is born in Bethlehem, whence Jerusalem rejoices, Alleluia.
REFRAIN:
Sing, rejoice, triumph, all honor to our Lord, the king.
The kings came there from Sheba, bringing gold, incense and myrrh, Alleluia. Refrain.
Here lies in the little crib he whose reign is without end. Alleluia. Refrain.
Child of my heart, my dearest little friend, O Jesus.
For this time of such grace God be praised in all eternity, Alleluia. Refrain.
Praetorius Christmas Vespers
Laudetur sancta Trinitas, Deo dicamus gratias. Alleluja! Refrain.
Mein herzens kindlein, Mein liebstes Freundlein, O Jesu, O Jesu.
Ach,
mein Herre
Ach, mein Herre, straf mich doch nicht in deinem Zorn und züchtige mich nicht in deinem Grimm. Herr, sei mir gnädig, denn ich bin schwach.
Heile mich, Herre, denn meine Gebeine sind erschrocken.
Ach, du Herre, wie so lange?
Wende dich, Herre, und errette meine Seele. Hilf mir, um deiner Güte willen.
Denn im Tode gedenket man dein nicht Wer will dir in der Höllen danken?
Ich bin so müde von Seufzen, Ich schwemm mein Bette die ganze Nacht, Und Netze mit meinen Tränen mein Lager. Meine Gestalt ist verfallen für Trauren und ist alt worden denn ich allenthalben geängstiget werde.
Credo
Wir glauben all an einen Gott, Schöpfer Himmels und der Erden, Der sich zum Vater geben hat, Daß wir seine Kinder werden. Er will uns allzeit ernähren, Leib und Seel auch wohl bewahren, Allem Unfall will er wehren, Kein Leid soll uns widerfahren. Er sorget für uns, hüt und wacht, Es steht alles in seiner Macht.
Wir glauben auch an Jesum Christ, Seinen Sohn und unsern Herren, Der ewig bei dem Vater ist, Gleicher Gott von Macht und Ehren.
Von Maria, der Jungfrauen, Ist ein wahrer Mensch geboren
Durch den Heilgen Geist im Glauben, Für uns, die wir warn verloren, Am Kreuz gestorben und vom Tod Wieder auferstanden durch Gott.
Praise be to the holy Trinity, now and for evermore, Alleluia. Refrain.
Child of my heart, my dearest little friend, O Jesus. O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
But thou, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave who shall give Thee thanks?
I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
We all believe in one God, Creator of heaven and earth, who has acted as a father, that we might be his children. He will always support us, also well guard body and soul, he will shield us from all mishap, no harm shall befall us. He cares for us, guards and protects us; everything is within his power.
We also believe in Jesus Christ his Son and our Lord, who is forever beside the Father, likewise God of might and glory. From Mary, the Virgin, a real man is born through the Holy Ghost in faith; for us, who were lost, he died on the Cross, and through God rose again from death.
Texts & Translations (continued)
Wir glauben an den Heilgen Geist, Gott mit Vater und dem Sohne, Der aller Blödeb Tröster heißt Und mit Gaben zieret schöne. Die ganz Christenheit auf Erden Hält in einem Sinn gar eben, Hie all Sünd vergeben werden, Das Fleisch soll auch wiederleben. Nach diesem Elend ist bereit’ Uns ein Leben in Ewigkeit. Amen.
DANCES FROM TERPSICHORE
Gloria
Glori sei Gott in der Hohe, und auf Erden Fried den menschen ein Wohlgefallen.
Wir loben dich, wir beten dich an, Wir preisen dich, wir sagen dir Dank.
Herr Gott, himmlischer König, Gott, allmachtiger Vater. Herr, eingeborner Sohn, Jesu Christe, du Allerhöchster, Herr Gottt, Lamm Gottes, ein Sohn des Vaters, ebarme dich unser.
Der du hinnimmst, die Sunde der Welt, nimm an unser Gebet, der du sitzest zu der Rechten des Vaters. erbarm dich unser.
Denn du bist allein heilig, allein du Herr, du bist der Allerhoch Jesu Christe samt dem heiligen Geist in der Herrlichkeit, Gott des Vaters. Amen.
PART II
GOSPEL PROCESSION: LUKE 2: 8-14
Quem pastores laudavere
Quem pastores laudavere, quibus Angeli dixere, absit vobis iam timere, natus est rex gloriæ.
Ad quem Magi ambulabant Aurum, thus, myrrham portabant, immolabant hæc sincere, leoni victoriæ.
We believe in the Holy Ghost, God with the Father and the Son, who is called comforter of all the foolish and adorns them with beauteous gifts. He holds all Christendom on earth quite evenly in one spirit; here all sins are forgiven, flesh shall also live again. After this misery, a life is prepared for us in eternity. Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of goodwill.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee.
O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the most high, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, have mercy upon us.
Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy, Thou only, Jesus Christ, are most high, with the Holy Ghost in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
He whom the shepherds greatly praised, to whom the angels sang Henceforth fear no more!
To you is born the king of glory.
To whom the wise men came, bringing with them gold, incense and myrrh; they truly worshipped the lion of victory.
Praetorius Christmas Vespers
Nunc Angelorum gloria hominibus resplenduit in mundo, Novi partus gaudia, virgo mater produxit, et solverus in tenebris illuxit.
REFRAIN:
Christus natus hodie ex virgine, sine virile semine est natus rex.
Exultemus cum Maria
In coelesti hierarchia; natum premant voce pia, dulci cum melodia.
Christo Regi Deo nato, per Mariam nobis dato, merito resonat vere laus, honor et gloria.
Culpæ sic datur hodie remissio; lætatur homo reus.
Lux de coelo claruit, pace iam reparata, et genitrix permansit illibata. Refrain.
ANTIPHON:
Christum wir sollen loben
Christum wir sollen loben schon de reinen Magd Marien Sohn so weit die liebe Sonne leuchtt und aller Welt Ende reicht.
Magnificat – parts i and ii
I. Meine Seel erhebt den Herren, Und mein Geist freuet sich Gottes meines Heilandes.
Denn er hat di Niedrigkeit seiner Maget angesehn. Sieh von nun an, werden mich selig preisen alle Kindes Kind.
II. Denn er hat große Ding an mir getan, und des Name heilig is.
Und seine Barm herzigkeit währet immer für bei deinen die ihn fürchten.
Er übet Gewalt mit sienem Arm und zerstreuet die hoffärtig sind in ihres Herzens Sinn.
Now the glory of angels for mankind shines in the world. The joys of a new birth were produced by a virgin mother and the true sun shone in the darkness.
REFRAIN:
Christ is born today of a virgin; a king is born without male seed.
Let us rejoice with Mary amid the host of heaven, and let them announce the birth with devoted voice and with sweet melody. Christ the King, God incarnate, granted us through Mary, let praise, honor and glory truly and deservedly resound.
Today remission is given from sin; guilty man can rejoice. Light has shone from heaven, as peace has now been restored, and the mother has remained intact. Refrain.
We must now praise Christ, Son of the spotless Virgin Mary, as far as the fair sun shines and reaches to the world’s end.
My soul does magnify the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
Texts & Translations (continued)
O Morning Star
O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
Thou shinest forth with God’s own light, Aglow with grace and mercy.
Thou root of Jesse, David’s son, My Lord and master, thou hast won My heart to serve thee solely.
Magnificat – parts iii and iv
Er gedenkt der Barmherzigkeit und hilft seinem Diener Isræl auf.
Wie er geredt hat unsern Vätern Abraham und seinem Same ewiglich.
Ehr sei Gott dem Vater und dem Sohn und dem heiligen Geiste.
Wie es war Anfang jetzt und immerdar und von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit. Amen.
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming As men of old have sung. It came a flower bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night.
Thou art holy, Fair and glorious, all victorious, Rich in blessing; Rule and might o’er all possessing.
He has helped his servant Isræl, Remembering to be merciful
To Abraham and his descendants forever, Even as he said to our fathers.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Isaiah ’twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, The Virgin Mother kind. To show God’s love aright, She bore to men a Savior, When half spent was the night.
The Lord’s Prayer
Vater unser im Himmelreich, Der du uns alle heißest gleich, Brüder sein und dich rufen an Und willst das Beten von uns han; Gib, daß nicht bet allein der Mund; Hilf, daß es geh aus Herzensgrund. Amen.
BENEDICTION AND ORGAN VOLUNTARY
In Dulci Jubilo
In dulci jubilo, Nun singet und seid froh, Unsers Herzens Wonne, Und leuchtet als die Sonne, Matris in gremio, Alpha es et o.
O Jesu parvule, Nach dir ist mir so weh, Trost mir mein Gemüte, O puer optime,
Durch alle deine Güte, O princeps gloriæ, trahe me post te.
O Patris caritas
O nati lenitas
Wir wären all verloren, Per nostra crimina, So hat er uns erworben, Coelorum gaudia, Eya wären wir da.
Good Christian friends, rejoice With heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what I say, Jesus Christ was born today. He hath ope’d the heavenly door, And we are blessed evermore, Christ is born today!
Praetorius Christmas Vespers
Our Father in heaven, Who callest us all to be like brothers, We beseech Thee: Hear our prayer! Let it not merely quicken our lips, Let it quicken our very heart of hearts. Amen.
In sweet jubilation now sing and rejoice: our heart’s delight lies in a manger and shines like the sun in his mother’s bosom. You are the first and the last. O little Jesus, I so long for you; comfort of my soul, O best boy; by all your good, O prince of glory, draw me after you. O love of the Father, O mildness of the Son! We were all lost through our sins until you gained for us the joys of heaven: O that we were there.
Praise to God on high! Christ is born today. Glory be to God, Christ is born today! Praise Him, Praise Him. Christ is born today!
Notes on the Program
A 20th Anniversary Performance
Twenty years ago, in February 2005, I made a pilgrimage to the Oberlin Conservatory Library in order to find and choose some extraordinary 17th-century Christmas music. (Oberlin's collection of early music is worldrenowned.) Supplied with herbal tea and carrots, I spent three days there – pulling heavy volumes of ancient German music from the shelves, poring over barely-legible manuscripts, and listening to the (few) existing recordings.
I had gone there expecting to choose music by Biber, Rosenmuller, or Schmelzer – the bold and flamboyant 17th-century composers whose instrumental music I already knew. But to my surprise, I emerged three days later ready to create a Christmas Vespers program by... Michael Praetorius. Praetorius' church music simply blew the others out of the water. It was a huge undertaking and a huge risk. Praetorius was unknown in the U.S. in 2005. Would people come?
Ten months later, the Cleveland public showed us just how special, cultured, and adventurous they are. The concerts were sold out.
We ran this beloved program for 10 years. After 2015, I moved into new territory with a series of Irish Christmas programs; but it is a joy to return to this program now. Praetorius' use of children's voices, in combination with his Monteverdian majesty, gives this program a very special place in my heart. I will always be grateful to our Cleveland and Akron audiences for giving it a chance and embracing it. And we are thrilled this year to introduce this music to our Chicago audience.
Merry Christmas to all!
–
Jeannette Sorrell, 2025
Christmas in 17th-century Germany
by Jeannette Sorrell
Music is a precious gift of God. When I hear music, joy bubbles up inside of me. Anyone who does not respond to this gift is a Clod, and not fit to be called a man. —Martin Luther, 16th century Martin Luther was a man of strong opinions. He did not like the Pope. Specifically, he did not like 95 things that the Pope was doing, so he nailed a list of his 95 complaints to the door of a church in 16th-century Germany. And thus was born the Reformation.
Praetorius Christmas Vespers
Luther’s agenda was to empower each man and woman to think for themselves, to study the Bible on their own, to talk directly to God rather than through the intermediary of a priest, and to participate actively in the worship service. Though it is well known that Luther translated the Bible from Latin into German so that the common people could read it, it is less well known that he adapted both Gregorian plainchant and popular German tavern songs and brought them into the church. Luther was passionate about music, and was responsible for making congregational singing an important part of the Lutheran service. He composed many chorale (hymn) melodies that are still part of the Protestant musical tradition today, such as “A Mighty Fortress is our God,” as well as several of the chorale melodies heard in tonight’s concert.
Martin Luther had many students and disciples. One of them was named Praetorius, and that student had a son named Michael. Michael became – along with J.S. Bach – one of the two greatest composers in the history of Protestant church music. Michael Praetorius left us an enormous quantity of sacred music for children’s choir, adult choir, strings, brass, lutes, and soloists. He was also acclaimed as an organist and theorist. His monumental music treatise, Syntagma musicum (1619), is considered the most important work of music theory in the early Baroque, and provides musicians with a wealth of practical information.
Living at the same time as Monteverdi, the great revolutionary composer of Italy, Praetorius was aware of the new and virtuosic elements of Monteverdi’s music; however, he firmly upheld Luther’s ideal that the common people should be able to participate in the music-making in some way. Therefore, while Monteverdi’s music requires an entirely professional ensemble of virtuoso singers, such as existed at St. Mark’s in Venice, Praetorius channeled his imaginative flair toward writing music that brought together professional singers, humble village choirs, children’s voices, and even congregational singing.
Thus, Praetorius’ music combines the drama and virtuosity of something like the Monteverdi Vespers with the simple and accessible traditions of Lutheran hymn-tunes that many Protestants know by heart. Praetorius wanted children to participate,
Engraving of Michael Praetorius c. 1620
Portrait of Martin Luther (1528) by Lucas Cranach the Elder
Notes on the Program (continued)
and thus many of his pieces are scored for children’s voices singing a familiar chorale tune, while professional soloists and instrumentalists weave more virtuosic variations around them.
Though Praetorius produced a vast quantity of sacred music in every form imaginable – from simple duets to large and complex polychoral works – he did not write a work called the Christmas Vespers. “Christmas Vespers” is the title of the program I have compiled, selecting from amongst the many dozens of Christmas pieces that Praetorius left us. Unlike some early music conductors before me, I am not striving to recreate a complete and authentic 17thcentury Vespers service, exactly as it would have been done in Wolfenbüttel on Christmas Day in 1618. Rather, my primary goal has been to create a vivid and compelling concert experience. With that in mind, I set out to shape a program that presents highlights from typical 17th-century Lutheran Advent and Christmas Vespers services.
The first half of the concert evokes an Advent service – i.e., one of the four weeks preceding Christmas, when the liturgical focus is on thoughtful preparation of the soul, attentive watching and waiting, and longing for the birth of the Messiah. We open with Luther’s famous Advent chorale, Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland (Come, thou Savior of the Nations). In keeping with Praetorius’ tradition of sprinkling a bit of Latin with mostly the common tongue, we sing the first verse in its original German, and then repeat it in our common tongue, English. The simple plainchant version of the chorale melody is followed by Praetorius’ elaborate polyphonic setting of the tune, scored for soloists, choir and orchestra, as published in his final and most forward-looking collection, Polyhymnia caduceatrix. The pieces in this collection feature more virtuosic vocal and instrumental writing than his previous works, and show the influence of Monteverdi and other Italians.
Perhaps the most famous Lutheran Advent hymn is Wachet Auf (Wake, for Night is Flying), which calls the faithful to make themselves ready and watchful
Nun komm der heiden Heiland, from Polyhymnia caduceatrix
Praetorius Christmas Vespers
for the coming Messiah. Longtime Apollo’s Fire audiences may remember Bach’s splendid setting of this chorale, which we performed in 2000. Tonight we present the simple chorale setting as an introduction to Praetorius’ Monteverdi-esque setting of the first verse, complete with four soloists, choir, and virtuoso violins and cornettos.
We know from surviving church and municipal records that the typical Sunday schedule in Praetorius’ Germany involved a Communion service in the morning and classes for children in the afternoon, where they would learn such things as the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. This was followed by a Vespers service in early evening. In the Vespers service, children performed material they had studied in class. Thus we are delighted to be joined by four youthful soloists, who will instruct and admonish us to observe the Ten Commandments.
The spirit of Advent is more penitential than celebratory, and for the Offertory one might have a dark and repentant piece such as Ach, Mein Herre. This extraordinary work for three sopranos is one of the most moving and dramatic pieces in the Polyhymnia caduceatrix collection. Making use of the echo effects that were popular in Italy, this piece seems closely modelled on the Duo Seraphim in Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, where three tenors call dramatically to each other. Though Praetorius never met Monteverdi and never traveled to Italy, scholars believe that he knew Monteverdi's great Vespers of 1610 – likely through contact with Italian musicians during a two-year stay in Dresden. In the second half, we present highlights from a typical Vespers (evening) service on Christmas Day. Following the Gospel narration about shepherds and angels, the children take up that theme with a Latin hymn, Quem Pastores. This piece comes from Praetorius’ collection Puericinium – works scored specifically for children’s voices. Quem Pastores was traditionally performed with four boys placed in four different balcony areas of the church, where they represent the heavenly host of angels.
The central and essential element of a Vespers service was a performance of the Magnificat, that is, Mary’s song of thanks upon learning that she will be the mother of the Messiah. In 17th-century Germany, it was typical to intersperse a lighter carol or two between portions of the typically complex Magnificat setting. So, we perform Praetorius’ beautiful and intricate Magnificat from Polyhymnia alongside his more accessible carol settings: the ever-popular O Morning Star and Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming. Praetorius set these hymns in the common tongue of his congregation – German – and thus we perform them in English.
The great carol In Dulci Jubilo dates back to the 14th century, and has been set by virtually every baroque composer, including J.S. Bach. Protestant listeners today will recognize the tune as “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!” Praetorius’
Notes on the Program (continued)
spectacular setting of the carol features four choirs or groups of soloists, as well as a dramatic “intrada” (processional or fanfare) for trumpets and drums, preceding the final verse. Praetorius does not provide the fanfare; he merely instructs the trumpets to play something for about eight measures. Following the fanfare, I have chosen to perform the final verse in English, since Praetorius’ version was already half-Latin and half-German, and the overwhelming Lutheran philosophy was to use the common tongue of the congregation.
Praetorius’ vagueness about the fanfare is typical of early 17th-century composers: they left vast and fundamental performance decisions up to the conductor. Monteverdi almost never indicated instrumentation or tempo in his sacred music – it is up to the conductor to orchestrate his works, and also to decide whether a piece is fast, slow, lively or lyrical. Praetorius gave many helpful suggestions about orchestration and tempo – each piece is preceded by a paragraph of text laying out possibilities: this line might be played by a violin or cornetto, or just a singer; this passage can be given to a trombone if you have one, otherwise, a gamba will do; it is recommended to place the trumpets at great distance, or even outside the church; and finally, my favorite: the passages with trumpets should be performed faster than the rest, because trumpets always rush and it’s best to go along with them in order not to have chaos.
We believe that our trumpeters may be a bit more orderly than the Town Criers with whom Praetorius worked. (At least we pay them in money rather than barrels of wine…) I hope that my orchestration and tempo decisions live up to Praetorius’ great passion for experimentation and variety of instrumental colors. And finally, we trust that our audience will bubble up with joy upon hearing this music, as we know that Martin Luther would. Alleluja, Christus natus est!
©2015 Jeannette Sorrell | Cleveland, OH Performing edition by Jeannette Sorrell. Score and part preparation by Margi Griebling-Haigh, Musicalligraphics.
In dulci jubilo / Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, from Polyhymnia caduceatrix
Congratulations Chuck Bittenbender!
Warmest congratulations to Apollo's Fire Board Chair CHUCK BITTENBENDER, winner of the 2026 Pogue Award from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Named after community leader Dick Pogue, this prestigious award recognizes outstanding leadership in the nonprofit community.
Chuck is the first recipient being honored for work supporting Cleveland's artistic community, as the Bar Association recognizes in particular his outstanding leadership of the Apollo's Fire Board.
Chuck, we are so happy and proud to have you as our Board Chair!
THE APOLLO'S FIRE
Whether you are in Northeast Ohio or Greater Chicago Indulge your addiction to AF’s “joyous
OCTOBER: OHIO 3 & 9-12 | CHICAGO 4-5
PURCELL’S Dido & Aeneas
A Dramatic Concert Presentation
The season opens in Ancient Egypt with a poignant legend of love and betrayal. Purcell's 17th century opera Dido & Aeneas is a gem of the baroque repertoire. The program also includes sparkling instrumental dances from Purcell’s King Arthur and The Fairy-Queen.
NOVEMBER: OHIO 7 & 8 (SEVERANCE MUSIC CENTER)
MOZART'S Requiem A TAPESTRY
Apollo’s Fire premieres a bold new program reflecting the vibrant tapestry of today’s society. In this journey through grief to hope and joy, Sorrell interweaves the movements of Mozart’s unfinished Requiem with selections from related spiritual works by three leading Black composers.
DECEMBER: OHIO 12 & 18-21 | CHICAGO 14-15
PRAETORIUS Christmas Vespers
Praised as “a sheer delight” (NY Times), AF's acclaimed Christmas program returns! The cathedral resounds in a splendor with antiphonal choirs trumpets, sackbuts, cornettos, lutes, harp, strings and recorders. Children’s voices shine in this haunting and joyous celebration of the Christ child.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY: OHIO 29-1 | CHICAGO 3-4
WINTER Sparks from Bach & Vivaldi
In this cozy winter program, eight AF musicians set sparks flying in virtuoso works of J.S. Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi, and more. Debra Nagy takes the spotlight in a lively Vivaldi oboe concerto, while Kathie Stewart and Alan Choo lead a fiery chamber performance of Bach’s Orchestral Suite no. 2
TICKETS & SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE ON SALE NOW! CALL
Chicago become a subscriber and save up to 20%! “joyous spontaneity” (THE NEW YORKER).
MARCH: OHIO 5-8
Palace of VERSAILLES
Apollo’s Fire visits the palace of Louis XIV – the Sun King, who was known to dress as our muse Apollo. The gorgeous music of Lully, Marais, and Rameau shows the orchestra at its finest. Flutes and theorbos join the strings in the sumptuous program full of the majesty of 17th-century France.
APRIL: OHIO 9-11 | CHICAGO 17-18
O Jerusalem!
Crossroads of Three Faiths
This evocative program is a loving tribute to the peoples whose music and faith brought such vibrancy to the Middle East. The rhythms of daily life – love, singing, dancing and prayer – culminate in a joyous celebration of shared humanity.
APRIL 16: OHIO – SPECIAL TOUR SEND-OFF
Fencing Match
Round Two
Inspired by the 18th-century tradition of instrumentalists facing off in friendly yet breathtaking displays of skill, AF principal players step into the spotlight with double-concertos by Bach, Vivaldi, and more. This program heads to London following the local performance!
Apollo’s Fire London Residency – Join Us!
APRIL 24-25: ST. MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS
Pubs & Palaces of 1610; Fencing Match - AF vs. The Brits! with the English Baroque Soloists; Baklava Bash - A Middle Eastern Celebration; and O Jerusalem!
APRIL 26: SNAPE MALTINGS, ALDEBURGH
Fencing Match –more details on pg. 30–
ODYSSEY The
Acclaimed chamber orchestra Relic returns to Cleveland Heights for an evening of breathtaking early music on period instruments. From Cyclopes to Circe to the Sirens, experience the epic adventures of Homer’s Odysseus brought to life in a dramatic curation of works by Handel, Monteverdi, Rameau, and others.
Sunday January 18 at 7:30pm Heights Theater
2781 Euclid Heights Blvd Cleveland Heights, OH 44106
$20 general admission | $30 premium seating | FREE for students & youth
Praetorius Christmas Vespers - Soloist Profiles
REBECCA MYERS, soprano, is praised for her “pure, fluent grace” (Chicago Classical Review). As one of the USA’s most in-demand early music sopranos, she can be heard on three GRAMMY®-winning albums – most notably as a soloist on The Crossing’s Born, winner of the 2023 GRAMMY® for Best Choral Performance. Her solo engagements this season include a debut with the Folger Consort, and return engagements with Portland Baroque Orchestra, The Crossing, and Seraphic Fire. She has also appeared with Apollo’s Fire in Bach’s B Minor Mass, the New World Symphony, Tempesta di Mare, Verità Baroque, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, and TENET Vocal Artists. She is the Artistic Director and a founding soprano of the cutting-edge vocal ensemble, Variant 6. Rebecca grew up in Cleveland and is currently based in Philadelphia.
MOLLY NETTER, soprano, is noted for her “natural warmth” (LATimes) and “clear, beautiful tone” (NYTimes). Appearing on six GRAMMY®-nominated albums, she has performed as soloist with the Boston Early Music Festival, Fort Worth Symphony, Musica Angelica, Camerata Soler in Spain, the KitchenerWaterloo Symphony in Canada; and on tour in Japan, Singapore, and Myanmar under Masaaki Suzuki. Equally regarded for bringing new music to life, Netter has been featured as a soloist by the Albany Symphony, New World Symphony, New York Philharmonic (SoundON), Los Angeles Philharmonic (GreenUmbrella), and Chicago Symphony (MusicNow). Her 2025–26 engagements include Bach’s B Minor Mass with San Antonio Philharmonic, Mozart’s Requiem with Bach Society of St. Louis, Voices of Music, and Mozart’s Don Giovanni (Donna Anna) with SMF. Netter co-directs the voice program at Oberlin’s Baroque Performance Institute.
ANDRÉA WALKER, soprano, is hailed as “a force to be reckoned with” (Seen & Heard International, UK). Noted for her “luminous” and “ethereal” singing (Washington Classical Review), she appears frequently with Apollo’s Fire, Atlanta Baroque, Pegasus Early Music, NYS Baroque, and Ars Lyrica Houston. Festival engagements include the Early Music Seattle Beyond Baroque festival and the Boston Early Music Festival. She recently made her her Lincoln Center debut in Telemann's Der Tag des Gerichts with Masaaki Suzuki and Juilliard415, and won critical acclaim as Belinda in Apollo’s Fire’s production of Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas. She was a vocal fellow at the 2025 Carmel Bach Festival. Andréa holds a Doctorate in historical performance from Case Western Reserve University
Soloist Profiles (continued)
and degrees in vocal performance from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and University of Houston.
Countertenor DOUG DODSON has been praised for his “beautiful, ringing, and agile singing” (Boston Classical Review). His solo appearances include Boston’s Handel & Haydn Society, the Aspen Music Festival, Boston Baroque, the Oregon Bach Festival, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Equally comfortable in early and contemporary repertoire, Doug has been featured as a soloist in world and American premieres of works by living composers Jonathan Dove, Tod Machover, Per Bloland, and Ken Ueno, and world-premiere recordings of pieces by Nicholas Vines and James Kallembach. Doug appears regularly with many of the nation’s premier choral groups, including the Handel & Haydn Society, Seraphic Fire, Skylark, and Kinnara. He holds degrees from the University of South Dakota (anthropology) and University of Missouri (vocal performance).
Los Angeles-based tenor MICHAEL JONES is acclaimed for his artistry in repertoire spanning the Baroque to contemporary works. Praised for his expressive sound that “blended gorgeously” (South Florida Classical Review), he appears regularly as a soloist and ensemble artist across the U.S. and abroad. Recent and upcoming solo appearances include Philharmonia Baroque, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Tesserae Baroque and Choral Arts Philadelphia, Con Gioia Early Music, Cantata Collective, and Bach Collegium San Diego. He also sings regularly with The Crossing, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Seraphic Fire, Spire Chamber Ensemble, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. He has appeared on more than thirty acclaimed recordings, including three GRAMMY®-winning albums with The Crossing. He also has a significant career as a jazz trumpet player, for which he is hailed as “the superb Michael Jones” (Gramophone).
Tenor MATTHEW NEWHOUSE has performed across North America and Europe. Recent and upcoming soloist highlights include the Mozart Requiem with both Utah Symphony and Rochester Philharmonic; the Evangelist in J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with ARTEK Early Music in New York; Handel’s Messiah with the Tucson Symphony; Bach cantatas with Ars Lyrica Houston; Bach’s Magnificat with TENET Vocal Artists; and concerts with the Norfolk Chamber Music
Praetorius Christmas Vespers
Festival. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in Weill Recital Hall as the winner of the 2019 Semper Pro Music Competition; and was a 2023 vocal fellow at the Carmel Bach Festival. Matthew champions Icelandic vocal repertoire and strives for its inclusion in the classical canon. He holds a Master’s in in Early Music Voice from Yale University.
MATTHEW DEXTER, bass-baritone, is currently a member of the prestigious Voxtet at Yale University’s School of Music. On the opera stage, he has performed the roles of Mícha in The Bartered Bride, Bartolo in Marriage of Figaro, and Zúñiga in Carmen. He was a vocal fellow at Spoleto Festival USA for three years, appearing there in the world premiere of Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels’ Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Omar in 2022. In 2025 he was a vocal fellow at the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago. Matthew received both the Audience Favorite award and Third Prize in the James Toland Vocal Arts competition; and recently participated in Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artist Vocal Academy. He hails from McKinney, Texas.
KRISTINE CASWELCH, soprano, is praised for her “sparkling voice, great diction and sprezzatura” (Boston Musical Intelligencer). She has appeared as soloist with Indianapolis Baroque and Apollo’s Fire, and in choruses including Apollo’s Singers, the New York Philharmonic, and Les Délices. Kristine participated in the Boston Early Music Festival’s Young Artist Training Program. She can be heard as a soloist on the Billboard-topping Christmas album, The Great Glad Tidings Tell: Carols from Copley Square (2024) by the Choir of Trinity Church Boston.
Soprano ELORA KARES is in her 4th year as a Young Artist Fellow with Apollo’s Fire. She studies cello and voice at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Elora’s recent solo performances with Apollo’s Fire include Mozart’s Requiem: A Tapestry at Severance Hall; the Second Lady in Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas; and Lieschen in Bach’s Coffee Cantata. She has also appeared as Amahl in Cleveland Opera Theatre’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. Her awards include the 2024 CIM Outstanding Academy Student Award; first prize in the 2023 Lakeland Orchestra Competition and the 2024 Suburban Symphony Competition in Ohio; the 2023 and 2024 Ohio NATS Voice Competitions; and a 2024 Young Composers Award. Elora has appeared on NPR’s From the Top and their DailyJoy series, and has participated in Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra program.
Apollo’s Fire London Residency – Join Us!
In April 2026, Apollo's Fire returns to London and the English countryside. What better way to visit England than in the company of the charming AF musicians? Join us for all of the tour or any part of it.
CONCERT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, APRIL 24 – St. Martin-in-the-Fields
1:00pm CHAMBER CONCERT
PALACES & PUBS OF 1630
7:00pm MAINSTAGE CONCERT
FENCING MATCH: Dueling Double Concertos
Apollo's Fire vs. The English Baroque Solosists
9:15pm LATE-NIGHT BISTRO CONCERT in The Crypt (pub)
BAKLAVA BASH: A Middle Eastern Celebration
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 – St. Martin-in-the-Fields
7:00pm MAINSTAGE CONCERT
O JERUSALEM! – Crossroads of Three Faiths
SUNDAY, APRIL 26 – Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh
7:00pm FENCING MATCH: Dueling Double Concertos
Jeannette Sorrell, Artistic Director
“Sorrell is an absolute dynamo onstage and a pleasure to see conduct… a force to be reckoned with.”
–SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
GRAMMY®-winning conductor Jeannette Sorrell is recognized internationally as one of today’s most compelling interpreters of Baroque and Classical repertoire. She is the subject of Oscar-winning director Allan Miller’s documentary, PLAYING WITH FIRE: Jeannette Sorrell and the Mysteries of Conducting, commercially released in 2023.
Bridging the period-instrument and symphonic worlds from a young age, she studied conducting under Leonard Bernstein, Roger Norrington and Robert Spano at the Tanglewood and Aspen music festivals; and studied harpsichord with Gustav Leonhardt in Amsterdam. She won First Prize in the Spivey International Harpsichord Competition, competing against over 70 harpsichordists from four continents.
As a guest conductor, Sorrell has led the New York Philharmonic three times since her acclaimed debut there in 2021. She has repeatedly conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Baroque in San Francisco, and New World Symphony, among others; and has also led the Philadelphia Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center (NYC), Baltimore Symphony, the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, Houston Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Royal Northern Sinfonia (UK), and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall, among others. Her 2025-26 schedule includes return engagements with the New York Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and Detroit Symphony, and debuts with the Manchester Hallé Orchestra (UK) and the Oregon Symphony,
As founder and conductor of APOLLO’S FIRE, she has led the renowned ensemble at London’s BBC Proms, Carnegie Hall, and many international venues. Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire have released 34 commercial CDs, including 13 bestsellers on the Billboard classical chart and a 2019 GRAMMY® winner. Her CD recordings of the Bach St. John Passion and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons have been chosen as best in the field by the Sunday Times of London (2020 and 2021). Her Monteverdi Vespers recording was chosen by BBC Music Magazine as one of “30 Must-Have Recordings for Our Lifetime” (2022).
With over 22 million views of her YouTube videos, Sorrell has attracted national attention and awards for creative programming. She received an honorary doctorate from Case Western Reserve University and an award from the American Musicological Society.
Apollo's Fire Baroque Orchestra
“Sorrell and her dazzling period band… are incandescent”
– THE SUNDAY TIMES,
London
GRAMMY®-winning ensemble Apollo’s Fire is praised as “the USA’s hottest baroque band” (Classical Music Magazine, UK). Led by award-winning harpsichordist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell, the period-instrument orchestra is dedicated to the baroque concept of moving the passions of the listeners. Apollo’s Fire has performed six European tours, with sold-out concerts at the BBC Proms in London, Madrid’s Royal Theatre, Bordeaux’s Grand Théàtre de l’Opéra, St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Heidelberg Spring Festival, the National Concert Hall of Ireland, and venues in Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Portugal. Chosen by the DAILY TELEGRAPH as one of London’s “Best 5 Classical Concerts of the Year,” Apollo’s Fire’s 2014 London performance was praised for “superlative music-making... combining European stylishness with American entrepreneurialism.”
North American tour engagements include Carnegie Hall (twice), the Tanglewood and Ravinia festivals (several times), the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (several times), the Boston Early Music Festival series, the Aspen Music Festival, Library of Congress, the National Gallery of Art, and major venues in Toronto, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Apollo’s Singers have twice performed with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Jeannette Sorrell, winning rave reviews.
At home in Cleveland and Chicago, Apollo’s Fire enjoys sold-out performances at its series, which has drawn national attention for creative programming.
With over 22 million views of its YouTube videos, Apollo’s Fire has released 34 commercial CDs and won a GRAMMY® award in 2019 for the album Songs of Orpheus with tenor Karim Sulayman. Thirteen of the ensemble's CD releases have become best-sellers on the classical Billboard chart, including Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Monteverdi Vespers, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, and Sorrell’s crossover programs including Sacrum Mysterium – A Celtic Christmas Vespers; Sugarloaf Mountain – An Appalachian Gathering; Sephardic Journey –Wanderings of the Spanish Jews; and Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain.
APOLLO’S FIRE
STRING BAND
Susanna Perry Gilmore, concertmaster
Emi Tanabe, violin
Nicole Divall, viola
René Schiffer, cello
Sarah Stone, viola da gamba
Sue Yelanjian, contrabass
CONTINUO
William Simms, theorbo
Brandon Acker, theorbo/guitar
Anna O'Connell, harps
Peter Bennett, organ
Jeannette Sorrell, harpsichord
WIND BAND
Kathryn Montoya, recorder
Alexandra Opsahl, recorder & cornetto
Kiri Tollaksen, cornetto
Caleb Hudson, trumpet
Perry Sutton, trumpet
Gregory Ingles, alto sackbut
Erik Schmalz, tenor sackbut
Sean McGhee, bass sackbut
Matthew Bassett, timpani & percussion
December 18-21
Luke Rinderknecht, timpani & percussion
December 12-15
APOLLO’S SINGERS
SOPRANO
Rebecca Myers, soloist
Molly Netter, soloist
Andréa Walker, soloist**
Kristine Caswelch, soloist
Elora Kares, soloist*
Jennifer Bates
Anna O’Connell
ALTO
Doug Dodson, soloist
Leslie Frye
Kira McGirr
Joe Schlesinger
Nadia Tarnawsky
TENOR
Michael Jones, soloist
Matthew Newhouse, soloist
Elijah Bowen
Gregório Taniguchi
Brian Wentzel
BASS
Matthew Dexter, soloist
Michael Galvin
Seth Hobi*ˆ
Francisco Prado
Jeffrey Strauss
REHEARSAL ACCOMPANIST
Anne Wilson
APOLLO’S MUSETTES
Anna O'Connell, Director
Aika Birch, soloist | Rosie Horvath, soloist | Federica Salvagni, soloist
Isabel Strozewski, soloist | Beatrice Watkins, soloist
Quinley Armstrong • Lucia Cortes • Lizzie Harbaugh • Grace Hartley
Vedi Mehta • Olivia Pich • Molly Walsh
On December 14 & 16, Apollo’s Fire is pleased to be joined by the Notre Dame Children’s Choir from the University of Notre Dame, directed by Dr. Mark Doerries.
For Musician and Musette Profiles, scan this QR code.
*Young Artist Fellow
**MOSAIC Fellow ˆOhio only
APOLLO'S SINGERS
Founded in 1992 by Jeannette Sorrell, APOLLO'S SINGERS have long been hailed as “one of the finest choirs of its kind in the country” (Cleveland Plain Dealer). The choir received a GRAMMY® nomination in 2024 for Best Choral Performance (Handel's Israel in Egypt). Praised for their "captivating singing... lucid, nimble, and beguiling" (New York Times), Apollo's Singers have twice performed with the New York Philharmonic under Jeannette Sorrell’s baton, and will return there in December 2026.
APOLLO'S MUSETTES
Directed by Anna O'Connell, APOLLO'S MUSETTES (Treble Youth Ensemble) are talented singers, age 10-17, chosen by audition for their clear, pure voices and outstanding musicianship. Founded in 2005 by Jeannette Sorrell, the ensemble performs with Apollo’s Fire in programs where children’s voices are appropriate for the repertoire. The Musettes have performed in over 30 concerts with Apollo’s Fire, including on tour in New York City in Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain.
Dr. Anna O'Connell is in her second year as Director of the Musettes. With a Master's degree in choral conducting and a doctorate in early music, Anna serves on the voice faculty of the College of Wooster, and performs frequently with Apollo's Fire as a soprano and baroque/Celtic harpist.
“Apollo’s Fire has inspired me with a love for baroque music that I don’t think I could have found any other way. I’ve loved being surrounded by amazing artists who I learn from and look up to.” – NORA VON DER HEYDT
TUESDAY
Did you know that Apollo's Fire has over 22 million views of its YouTube videos? Check out our YouTube channel — apollosfirebaroque
Innkeepers & Charioteers
Apollo’s Fire thanks the following patrons who generously provide accommodations and transportation for our musicians.
Ohio Innkeepers
Laura & Erol Beytas • Kathleen & Mark Binnig
Chuck & Christy Bittenbender • Terry Boyarsky • Laura DeLaney
Christine Elliott • Michael & Diane Ellis • Carol Engler
Debra & Gary Franke • Bob Galivan & Myriam Ribenboim
Walter Ginn • Stuart Hamilton • Lari & Peter Jacobson
Priscilla & Edward Kaczuk • Kandice Marchant • Bridget & Robert Marok
Marilyn & Tom McLaughlin • Jane Meyer • Linda Miller & Steve Forgerson
Donald Nash • Charlotte & John Newman • Linda & John Olejko
Donna & Joseph Pacchioni • Jane Richmond • Kasia & Douglas Rothenberg
Astri Seidenfeld • Anne Unverzagt • Herb & Jody Wainer
Ed & Ellen Weber • Anthony Wesley & Al Cowgers
Cooper & Debbie White • Judy & David Young
Chicago Innkeepers
Joyce Chelberg • George Constantinides & Michele Davies
Derek Cottier & Laura Tilly • Lilly & Howard Eng
Doug Miller & Ellen Burke • David Reithoffer • Elisa & Jonathan Ross
Michael & Barbara Schwartz • Patricia & Gary Skigen
Charioteers
Gail Arnoff • Edith Hirsch • Ed Rosenberg • Bob Young
For information about becoming an Innkeeper or Charioteer, please contact Carsyn Avegno (Cleveland) at cavegno@apollosfire.org or David Sands (Chicago) at dsands@apollosfire.org.
Thank you to our Supporters
THE RITORNELLO CIRCLE
A ritornello is the recurring theme in a baroque concerto. Likewise, members of the Ritornello Society annually support and sustain the artistic programs of Apollo’s Fire. Their generosity enables us to pursue our vision of attaining international recognition through touring, recordings and broadcasts.
Thank you to our donors who gave at levels not listed in this program This list recognizes donations made between September 19, 2024 and November 17, 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Please email RRoberts@apollosfire.org with any updates.
APOLLO’S CIRCLE
($100,000 & above)
Anonymous
Cuyahoga Arts and Culture
Janice L. Greene† Walder Foundation
HELIOS CIRCLE
($50,000 - $99,999)
Paul M. Angell
Family Foundation
The George Gund Foundation
Alexander & Jennifer Ogan
Ohio Arts Council
Herb & Jody Wainer
CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE
($25,000 - $49,999)
Anonymous
Jeff & Jamie Barnett
Fred & Mary Behm
The William Bingham Foundation
Chuck & Christy Bittenbender
Cleveland Foundation
Michael Frank & Pat Snyder* (*dec’d)
Kulas Foundation
William Lawlor
John P. Murphy Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Marie Rowley
Astri Seidenfeld
Tim & Jennifer Smucker
Robert A. & Judith M. Weiss
MOUNT OLYMPUS CIRCLE
($10,000 – $24,999)
Anonymous
Akron Community Foundation
Bonnie M. Baker
Douglas Bletcher
The Costante-Champi
Family Giving Fund
Joyce Chelberg
Michael & Susan Delahanty
Ann Fairhurst & Mark Cipra
Malcolm & Vivian Henoch
Hyster-Yale
Materials Handling, Inc.
Illinois Arts Council
Martha Holden
Jennings Foundation
Cynthia Knight
Dr. & Mrs. Richard J. Lederman
Gina Leonetti
George I. Litman, M.D.
Daniel McCroskey
In memory of Jane McCroskey
Marilyn & Tom McLaughlin
Ellen & Mike Meehan
Peg’s Foundation
Dale Perram
Bruce Raymer
Drs. Jonathan & Elisa Ross
Dr. Michael J. Seider
The Rev. Dr. Sandra Selby
Dr. & Mrs. James & Rita Sheinin
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation
Sonjia Smith
Karen & Richard Spector
Elizabeth Walder
Ed & Ellen Weber
VERSAILLES CIRCLE
($5,000 – $9,999)
Steve & Judy Bundra
Catharina Caldwell
Amy & Eric Carlson
Homer Chisholm & Gertrude Kalnow Chisholm
Tom & Karen Clark
The Mary S. & David C. Corbin Foundation
Mrs. Mary & Dr. George L. Demetros Charitable Trust
Ralph Deskin
Barbara & Denis Feld
The Hankins Foundation
Jane Hubben
Stephen & Maria Lans
Dr. Miloslava Mervart
Northern Trust
Lori & Dan Nelson
John & Linda Olejko
Gertrude F. Orr Trust
Advised Fund of the Akron Community Foundation
Bill & Sandra Powel
Mrs. Alfred M. Rankin†
Noha & Phil Ryder
Kenneth E. Shafer, M.D.
Ryan Siebel
The Sisler McFawn Foundation
Sandra Smith
Dr. Jeanne Sorrell
Michael Taylor
ESTERHAZY CIRCLE
($2,500 – $4,999)
Anonymous
Peter & Jane Anagnostos
Ric & Kate Asbeck
Baker Hostetler
Donna Batson
Karl & Amanda Bekeny
Frances S. Buchholzer
Cerity Partners LLC
Chengelis Scientific Services LLC
Michael & Susan Clark
Bill Conway
Douglas Cooper
Patricia Costante & Stephanie Champi
Frances G. & Lewis Allen Davies
DLR Group
Sarah & Robert Dresing
Diane & Michael Ellis
Feth Family Foundation
Harry K. & Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation
Theodore & Teresa Good
Jane Haylor & Mel Berger
In memory of Sheldon & Marilyn MacLeod
Byron G. Hays
Drs. Ka-Pi Hoh & Brian Perry
Erin Horan
Robert† & Donna Jackson
KPMG
The Lehner Family Foundation
Meng “Locky” Liu
Fred & Pearl Livingstone
Annette Lowe & Doug Dolch
Lubrizol
Patti & Hadley
Morgenstern-Clarren
Gary & Shay Olson
Brendan & Elizabeth Patterson
Peggy M. Porter
David Reimer & Raffaele DiLallo
Phil & Noha Ryder
Richard & Deborah Schroeder
Alice S. Sherman
Patricia Skigen
Lucy & Dan Sondles
R. Thomas & Meg Stanton
Sarah N. Steiner
Rebecca K. Storey & Neal Simpson
Synthomer Foundation
Elizabeth & Michael Taipale
Tucker Ellis
Bradley Upham
Libby & Ed Upton
Carol Vandenberg
Gregory Videtic, M.D.
The Welty Family Foundation
David & Judy Young
MEDICI CIRCLE
($1,000 – $2,499)
Anonymous
Michael Angell
Bonnie & Chuck Abbey
Joan Allgood
Dave Mulligan & Kim Arnowitt
Richard & Eleanor Aron
Patricia Ashton
Michael Bakes
Stephen Ban
Peter & Mindy Bartholomae
James H. Bates
Bath Community Fund
Mark & Kathleen Binnig
John & Susan Blackwell
Mitch & Liz Blair
Zeda Blau
Arthur V. N. Brooks†
Stephen & Jeanne Bucchieri
Mr. & Mrs. William D. Buss II
James Calhoun
Claudia Cash
Judy & Bob Ciulla
Herb & Ursula Cohrs
Harry Core
Thomas M. & Janet S. Daniel
The Deveny Family
Henry C. Doll
Dorris Donnelly
John J. Dyer, Jr.
Keith Eggeman
David & Marilyn Elk
Lilly Eng
John & Lee Ann Eyre
Marilynne Felderman
Susan P. Flowers
Casey Forbes
& Signe Wrolstad-Forbes
Bonnie Forkosh
William Gaskill & Kathleen Burke
Margerita Gerborg
Barbara Hawley
& David Goodman
Andrew Gordon-Seifert
Samuel & Kimberly Hartwell
Sandra V. Hazra, M.D.
Peter & Sunnie Hellman
Paul Herman
Martin & Maria Hoke
Mr. Richard R. Hollington, Jr.
Herbert J. Hoppe, Jr.
Michael & Jane Horvitz
Mrs. M. B. Humphrey*
Melanie Ingalls
Anne Juster
Lori Kalberer
In honor of Clara Rankin
Walter Keith
John & Linda Kelly
Thomas Forrest Kelly, Ph.D.
David & Janet Kinkaid
Ilona Kisis
Rabbi Roger C. Klein
& Jacqueline Loewy
Rick & Ellen Knapp
In honor of Ed & Ellen Weber
Raymond & Katharine Kolcaba
Ursula Korneitchouk
Rodger Kowall
Marlene Krause
Manning & John Kundtz
Scott & Betsy Lassar
Joan C. Long
Karl & Anna Losely
Rev. Richard Lutz
Mary Ann Mahoney†
Robert Toma & Christine Marsick
Kevin Martin
Susan McClary
Douglas Miller & Ellen Burke
Dave Nash
Deborah L. Neale
Nordson Corporation Foundation
Edward J. Olszewski
Marilyn Orr
Elizabeth Osborne
Don & Anne Palmer
Tom & Deborah Park
Jim & Kathy Pender
John S. Perko
Melodie Phillips
In honor of Cynthia Knight
and Rees Taylor Roberts
James & Leslie Pickard
Katrina Pipasts
Thomas & Kate Pitrone
William Plesec
& Susan Stechschulte
Sally & Derek Rance
Fred Rasio
Chuck & Ilana Horowitz Ratner
Frank & Yolita Rausche
The RDM Foundation
Roger & Sally Read
Roger F. Ream, D.D.S.
Dr. Diana C. Reep
Dr. Robert W. Reynolds
Jane N. Richmond
William Watterson & Melissa Richmond
Charles E. & Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation
Christine & Bill Robertson
Margaret Robinson
Rick & Alita Rogers
Alan Rocke & Cristine Rom
James Rosenthal & Annie Fullard
Kasia G. & Douglas Rothenberg
Nan & Peter Ryerson
Richard & Tamara Rynearson
Anthony Salem
Lynne F. & Ralph Schatz
Frank Shoemaker
Lloyd L. & Louise K.
Smith Foundation
Tom & Judy Spaulding
Drs. Frederick & Elizabeth Specht
Jane Peterson & Phil Star
George Stark
Allyson Stewart
Terry & Jamie Stoller
Jeffrey Strauss
Susan Troia
Anne Unverzagt
John P. & Verna Vanderkooi
Sam Wainer
Anne & Ed Wardwell
Mary Warren
Lucy & Chuck Weller
Robert C. & Emily C. Williams
David & Kathleen Yonto
Richard & Mary Zigmond
BRANDENBURG CIRCLE
($500 – $999)
Anonymous (3)
Susan Armstrong
Cynthia Ball
Bruce Baumberger
& Ann Weatherhead
Thank you to our Supporters (continued)
Andrew & Patricia Bazar
Dolores Bielecki & Stephen Lorton
Henry Billingsley & Karen Kidwell
Robin Dunn Blossom
Richard & Mary Bole
Robert & Susan Boltz
Paul Bontrager
Michael Breen
Kelly & Doug Brill
Leslie S. Brown
Michael & Kareen Caputo
Patricia Carlson
Kathleen Cerveny
Jim & Berni Cockey
James Collins & Patricia Brownell
Derek Cottier & Laura Tilly
Susan V. Curtis
William D’Agostino
W. Dean Dabson
Gary Davis & Jane Cooper
Michael & Jan Devereaux
Patricia Dorner
Martha Anne Driscoll
Brian & Carol Duffy
Elinore Evans & John N. Rampe
Betsy Fallon
Linzey Forshey
Debra & Gary Franke
Robert Galivan & Myriam Ribenboim
Daniel & Kathleen Gisser
Peter & Francine Gray
Richard & Ann Gridley
Thomas Hoyt and Katharine Brooks Jones
Family Fund
Kurt Haas & Dierdre Pim
Curt Hancock & Michael Horwath
Jan Harding
Holly J. Harris & James W. Bane
Iris & Tom Harvie
Beth Hauser
Richard & Laurette Hershey
Fred Heupler, M.D.
Edith F. Hirsch
Derf Hopsecger
Sabrina Inkley
Joan C. Ishibashi
Gale & Jim Jacobsohn
Sharon Jenkins
Joan Kavanaugh
Jim, Sherry, & Ricky Kitchell
Peggy Koblenzer
David Kotte
Adrian & Margaret Krudy
Ed Larson & Janice Radak
Jody Lefort & Ken Gober
Pam LeRose & Tim Nichols
David & Carolyn Lincoln
Kathryn Machado
Elizabeth K. Mann
Theresa Manzell
Roey & Jeff Margulies
Elizabeth Mease, M.D.
James & Virginia Meil
David Michel
The Laura Runyon Moffit & Lucian Q. Moffitt Foundation
Marjorie Moskovitz
Deb Nash
Ronald Neill
Charlene & Marv Nevans
Carole & Steve Ochs
Patrick & Judith O’Hara
Kim Parry
Mr. Franklyn Perry
Sophia Perry
Barbara Peskin
Roland Philip & Linda Sandhaus
Len & JoAnne Podis
Richard & Joanne Prober
Mark Purdy
Michael & Zoya Reyzis
Michael & Dawn Rickman
Kenneth Robinson
Todd & Diane Rosenberg
Patricia Rubin
Joan Safford
Paula Salerno
Paul Secunde
David Simmons
Michael Star & Debra Golden
Cynthia Struk
Tayba Tahir
Esther R. Talbert
Dave & Reanetta Taylor
United Way of Greater Cleveland
Felix & Inna Vilinsky
John & Jeanette Walton
Michael Warner
Audrey Weaver
Jeffrey Wisnieski
André Witt
Lucas Witters
BUCKINGHAM CIRCLE
($250 – $499)
Anonymous (4)
Atty. LuWayne Annos
Cheryl & Robert Barsan
Charles Behrens
Andrew & Ilze Bekeny
Vicki & Jim Bell
Margie & Jeff Biggar
Dennis & Madeline Block
Terry & Christine Bowman
John & Mary Boyle
Michael & Jacklyn Brennan
Tom & Mary Brooks
Gisela Brodin-Brosnan
Christopher Brown
Nancy E. Brown
John & Mimi Brulia
Bill & Carol Bruml
James & Judy Burghart
Ruth Cantleberry & Bud Stern
Cindy & Tim Carr
Roderick & Catherine Case
Claudia Cash
Michael Coleman
Roger Creps
Cassandra Crowley
Barbara Ann Davis
Patricia Deems
James Denton
Amy & Michael Diamant
William & Suzanne Doggett
Margaret Dorner
Sue Dreitzler
Duesenberg Family
Charitable Fund
Barbara Eaton
Eaton Corporation
The Echle-Walters Family Fund
Brian Edelstein
In honor of
Dr. and Mrs. Edward C. Weber
Robert Fabien
George Faddoul
Robert F. Fay, CPA
Robert & Marcia Fein
Patty Flauto
Dave & Binney Fouts
Richard & Judy Fox
Timothy Fox
David & Claudia Fulton
Alexander & Carol Garklavs
John & Pam Gibbon
Bob & Ann Gillespie
Michelle Graf
Jeffrey L. Green
Charlie Grode and Heidi Lukas
Marcie Groesbeck
Susan & Jeffrey Gumbiner
Louise E. Hamel
Mohamed & Fadia Hamid
John Hancock
Ron & Chris Hawes
Betty Hess
James & Ina Heup
John Hibshman
Carole F. Hoover
Dr. Christine A. Hudak
& Mr. Marc F. Cymes
Hope Hungerford
Sabrina Inkley
Byron H. & Diane F. Jackson
Mark Jones & Linda Johnson
Gail Juanoquez
Jodi Kanter & Steve Szilagyi
Mr. & Mrs.
Joseph & Nancy Keithley
Charles Keller
Michael & Melissa Kelly
Geraldine Kiefer
Ryan Kin
Maryanne King
Karen Knobloch
Nancy & Rik Kohn
Larry Korland
Melodee Kornacker
Jim & Rhonda Kroeger
Stacey Lawler
Karen Lefton
Madeline Lepidi-Carino
Alan Lettofsky
Richard Lilley & Carmen
Letelier
Louella Levey
Richard Lynde
Dr. Kandice Marchant
Sheila Markowitz
In memory of Frederic Markowitz
Charles & Susan Marston
Susan McGill
Robert McInnes
B. J. Miller & Marty Katz
Timothy & Marjorie Minnis
John & Janet Mitchell
Carole & George Morris
John Mroczka
Hugh Muller & Paul Seeley
Don Nash
Florence Nelson
David & Sarah Nix
David O’Callaghan
Nicholas & Anne Ogan
Ann Otto
Janice Patterson
Marianne S. Paul
Karen & Dave Paulin
Elisabeth C. Plax*
Virginia Poirier
Stacy Ratner
Bill & Jan Resseger
Dr. Thomas Riis
John & Jackie Roberts
Rees Taylor Roberts
Donald Rosenberg
Anthony & Denise Ross
Phillip Rowland-Seymour
Michael & Lynn Saddleton
Bryan & Sarah Salisbury
Martin I. Saltzman, M.D.
Dr. Adrian M. Schnall
Thank You
Richard Shirey
William Silver
Mike & Mary Anne Slattery
Leslie Smith
Christine & Bill Snyder
Mr. & Mrs. William Spatz
Linda Sperry & Linda Chopra
Mickey Stefanik
Eileen & John Stenerson
Larry E. Stewart
Susan Subak
Donald Treap
Karen Trinkle
Pathfinder Wealth Advisors
Cynthia & Harvey Tucker
Richard Uza
Hon. & Mrs.
William F. B. Vodrey
Sarah Vradenburg
Leslie & Mark Walker
Jim & Chris Wamsley
Mary Wehrle
Ms. Jacqueline Weiner
Barbara Weiss
Dorothy Whittenberger
Mr. & Mrs. David Wildermuth
Lois S. Wolf
John & Jane Zuzek †In memoriam
to all who have donated to Apollo's Fire in honor or in memory of someone special. These gifts celebrate the lives and legacies that inspire our music.
Daniel McCroskey, in memory of Jane McCroskey
Jane Haylor & Mel Berger, in memory of Sheldon & Marilyn MacLeod
Lori Kalberer, in honor of Clara Rankin
Rick & Ellen Knapp, in honor of Ellen & Ed Weber
Sam Pearson, in thanksgiving for the hard working box office staff
Melodie Phillips, in honor of Cynthia Knight & Rees Taylor Roberts
Brian Edelstein, in honor of Ellen & Ed Weber
Rees Taylor Roberts, in honor of Barbara Feld
Sheila Markowitz, in memory of Frederic Markowitz
Miranda Mandel, Joan Dolce, Rose Blessing, & Martha Jane Lavelle, in celebration of Lilly Eng's birthday
Foundations, Government, & Other Organizations
Apollo's Fire is grateful to the following funders who have made this season possible:
$100,000 & above
$50,000-$99,999
$20,000-$49,999
$10,000-$19,999
Akron Community Foundation
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
Illinois Arts Council
$5,000-$9,999
The Mary S. & David C. Corbin Foundation
Mrs. Mary & Dr. George L. Demetros Charitable Trust
$2,000-$4,999
BakerHostetler
Bath Community Fund
BNY Mellon Community Impact Program
Feth Family Foundation
Harry K. & Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation
KPMG International
The Lehner Family Foundation
Media Partners
Ideastream Public Media
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
Peg's Foundation
The Hankins Foundation
The Sisler McFawn Foundation
Lubrizol
McMaster-Carr Supply Company
Charles E. & Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation
Synthomer Foundation
Tucker Ellis
Welty Family Foundation
WFMT Radio Network
This project was supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Create a Lasting Legacy
Keep the Fire Burning!
We are grateful for your vision that extends beyond the present and shows how you value the arts. Please remember Apollo’s Fire in your wills, trusts, and life insurance policies.
If you have included Apollo’s Fire in your estate planning, we hope you’ll consider letting us know. We thank you and would like to include you in our Legacy Circle.
Join AF’s Legacy Circle Supporters, Fred & Mary Behm, Chuck Bittenbender, Doug & Barbara Bletcher, Ann Fairhurst & Mark Cipra, Thomas J. Froehlich, Elizabeth & Byron Hays, Deb Nash, Jane N. Richmond, Saundra Stemen, Lucile Weingartner, David & Charlotte Wildermuth, and others who are ensuring the future of Apollo’s Fire by including us in their wills. Past bequests from such esteemed benefactors as Ruth Turvy Bowman, Art Brooks, Thomas J. Froehlich, Janice L. Greene, Dr. Shattuck Hartwell, Sheldon & Marilyn MacLeod, Donald W. Morrison, Earl Russell, and Ruth Toth have made AF’s artistic successes possible.
1
The Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra Legacy Fund
(managed by The Cleveland Foundation)
This fund provides ongoing financial support to Apollo’s Fire, ensuring its sustainability into the future. The fund is held and managed by The Cleveland Foundation, which has a century of experience investing gifts for prudent growth. Gifts to the fund will provide Apollo’s Fire with revenue now and into the future, creating a measure of security that allows us to focus on our mission. The fund offers donors a wide variety of giving options.
To discuss how you can join the Legacy Circle supporters by including Apollo’s Fire in your estate planning, please contact David Walker, Managing Director, at dwalker@apollosfire.org.
Administration
David Walker, Managing Director
Noha Ryder, Director of Strategic Initiatives
David Sands, Senior Advancement Manager, Chicago
Barbara Feld, Director of Development, Summit County
Wendy Parkulo, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement
Adina Antonucci, Interim Senior Marketing Consultant
Rees Taylor Roberts, Development Manager
Carsyn Avegno, Community Engagement & Operations Coordinator
Tikal Rivera, Marketing & Community Relations, Chicago
Kelly Cosgrove, Patron Services Manager
Shannon Cooch, Box Office & Hospitality Associate
Edward Vogel, Artistic Administrator
Amy Tarantino-Trafton, Manager of Operations & Grants
Tom Frattare, Production Stage Manager
Erica Brenner, Director of Media Production
Martins Daukss, Stage Manager & Staff Accountant
Sarah Emig, Bookkeeping Associate
Hanna Bingham, Social Media Consultant
WINTER Sparks
from Bach & Vivaldi
In this cozy winter program, eight Apollo’s Fire musicians set sparks flying in virtuoso works of J.S. Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi, and more. Debra Nagy takes the spotlight in a lively Vivaldi oboe concerto, while Kathie Stewart and Alan Choo lead a fiery chamber performance of Bach’s Orchestral Suite no. 2. Viola da gambist HyunKun Cho steals the thunder in Marais’ famous Sonnerie de Sainte Geneviève, an imaginative showpiece evoking the sounds of church bells in Paris.
Thursday, January 29, 7:30pm First United Methodist, CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH
Friday, January 30, 7:30pm St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH
Saturday, January 31, 7:30pm Federated Church, CHAGRIN FALLS, OH
Sunday, February 1, 4:00pm ROCKY RIVER Presbyterian Church, OH
Tuesday, February 3, 7:30pm Art Insitute of CHICAGO, IL
Wednesday, February 4, 7:30pm Music Insitute of Chicago, EVANSTON, IL
INVEST ENGAGE INNOVATE LEAD
Program Spotlight: POETRY OUT LOUD
Cameron Goehring of Mount Healthy High School (Hamilton County) reciting a poem as part of a special Poetry Showcase during the Ohio State Fair. He participated in the 2022 Poetry Out Loud statewide competition.
Investing state and federal dollars, the Ohio Arts Council funds and supports quality arts experiences for all Ohioans to strengthen communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
Learn more about our grant programs and resources, find your next arts experience, or connect: OAC.OHIO.GOV.