Apollo’s Fire (Photo: Hilary Scott)
Apollo’s Fire returns for its sixth season in Chicago and its 35th season overall. The ensemble’s 2026-27 season will coincide with two anniversaries: the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 300th anniversary of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.
The Chicago season begins Nov. 7 and 8 with Echoes Across the Atlantic, a new program exploring historical connections between Europe and the Caribbean colonies in the 18th century. Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique will join the ensemble.
The following month, Apollo’s Fire returns for performances of Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 15 through 17. The soloists include the soprano Maya Kherani, the mezzo-soprano Amanda Crider and the tenor Jonathan Pierce Rhodes.
The ensemble begins 2027 with two contrasting programs: violin music inspired by English tavern songs, Feb. 5 and 6, followed by Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, March 14 and 15.
April brings a series of Vivaldi programs. Francisco Fullana will be the soloist in The Four Seasons, April 9, 11 and 12. On April 10, Apollo’s Fire will perform Vivaldi on FIRE! at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston, a program featuring several of the composer’s concertos.
Apollo’s Fire will also continue its Community Access Initiative, which offers free in-school workshops and weekend family concerts. In October, the ensemble plans to release a recording of Bach’s Mass in B Minor, its 35th album, to coincide with its 35th season.
![MOB_12.18.22_by_ElliotMandel-21[66]-169](https://www.wfmt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MOB_12.18.22_by_ElliotMandel-2166-169-600x338.jpg "Holiday Programming on WFMT 2024")
