In the last three months, Apollo’s Fire has made its debut in the international recording arena, thanks to a major new contract with AVIE Records in London. AVIE’s Simon Foster chose to introduce Apollo’s Fire to the European and Asian markets with a pair of Bach and Mozart releases in July, followed by the Monteverdi Vespers last month. The British press has welcomed Apollo’s Fire to the scene with enthusiasm and insight.

BACH
Brandenburg Concertos
Concertos for Harpsichord & Violin

“This swaggering version makes the most of the variety of instrumental colour Bach so exhilaratingly put on show. Two harpsichord concertos [are] both brilliantly played by Sorrell.”
- The Times, London

MOZART
Symphony No. 40 & Ballet Music from Idomeneo

“Thanks to a new contract, the Midwest’s best-kept secret is finally reaching British ears.”
- The Independent, London

“It's a welcome surprise to hear a decent non-European period instrument orchestra.”
- The Arts Desk, London

MONTEVERDI
Vespers of 1610

“A compelling account that holds its own against any rivals. Exultant...instrumental colours blaze brilliantly.”
– The Times, London

And, in the U.S...

“One word – Wow! Where has the recording been? Nothing short of spectacular. Bach’s genius comes across in colorful splendor. The folks at AVIE are evidently perspicacious enough to realize what a treasure they have come across.”
– Audiophile Audition

Sophie Daneman

On November 21, Apollo’s Fire and British soprano Sophie Daneman perform for the Music Before 1800 series at Corpus Christi Church in New York City. Then, they dash to JFK airport to catch a flight to Madrid. And the European tour is off and running…

Following concerts in Madrid, Tilburg and Heerlen, Apollo’s Fire makes its debut on the baroque series at London’s Wigmore Hall, where the concert will be recorded and broadcast by the BBC. Wigmore staff report that the AF concert is a top seller on the baroque series. A full house is anticipated, particularly since the UK’s respected Classical Music magazine will be featuring Jeannette Sorrell on the cover of their November issue.

Jeannette Sorrell

“We are surprised and thrilled to be receiving so much attention in London!” Sorrell said. “It is a wonderfully vibrant arts community, and the British have a deep and sophisticated appreciation for early music.” The tour program is a creative collaboration between Sorrell and soprano Sophie Daneman. Titled “Fire & Folly: Myths of Love & Betrayal,” the program explores works by Vivaldi, Handel and Rameau, inspired by myths of the heroines of antiquity. “Dido, Phaedra, Proserpina and Cleopatra will each weave their spell on us,” Sorrell said. “It’s a completely new program, but I think it’s very representative of both AF’s approach to programming and Sophie’s personality.”

Jeannette Sorrell

Jeannette Sorrell and the members of Apollo’s Fire spent 19 happy and inspired days this month celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Monteverdi Vespers – in Cleveland and on tour. Thanks to support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the 11-concert tour included Cornell and Penn State Universities, Toledo and St. Louis Cathedrals, and concert series in Columbus and Santa Fe – as well as five concerts on the Apollo’s Fire home series.

The "Monteverdi Experience" - a weekend Monteverdi immersion in Cleveland - attracted patrons from Connecticut to Colorado, who made the pilgrimage to Northeast Ohio in order to attend the Vespers performances and related contextual events. The weekend included an exquisite chamber recital of “The Intimate Monteverdi” by soprano Nell Snaidas, a lively Venetian dance workshop led by Julie Andrijeski, and fascinating lectures by visiting scholar Dr. Marica Tacconi.

 

“Apollo's Fire's fervent and dramatic performance of Monteverdi's 400-year old masterpiece awoke our senses as a great Italian meal might do, laden with pleasure and contrast, sensuality and surprise.”
–clevelandclassical.com

“Spellbinding... There were moments when Sorrell and her musicians seemed almost to disappear into the music, leaving Monteverdi to console, stir and elevate.”
–The Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Sorrell and her group have terrific energy. The flawless blend and beautiful tone were remarkable.”
–St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Spirited and exciting...the orchestra’s technique was impressive.”
–Columbus Dispatch

Philippe Jaroussky

Two years ago, the sensational French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky discovered Apollo’s Fire on YouTube. Nothing could have surprised Jeannette Sorrell more than receiving an email from Jaroussky’s agent in Paris, saying “Philippe est adorant de votre travaille” (Philippe adores your work). The new collaboration will be launched in November 2011, with a 10-concert international tour to major venues. The itinerary includes UCLA, Cal Performances (Berkeley), Ann Arbor’s University Musical Society, the University of Toronto, the Boston Early Music Festival series, and major halls in Bordeaux, Lisbon, Metz and Ghent.

The program of “Handel & Vivaldi Fireworks” includes arias written for the great castrato singers of Europe, as well as fiery concertos featuring Sorrell and the AF principal players.

The words of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Mark Kanny say it all: we have indeed been waiting. Apollo’s Fire has been barraged for two years with inquiries about the ensemble’s forthcoming Messiah CD. The glowing recording and its accompanying bonus DVD are rolling off the presses as we speak, and no one is happier than Jeannette Sorrell. “It has been a huge labor of love,” she said. “I’m so privileged to have a company of loyal artists who have done Messiah with me for several years. It has given us a special, and I think, deeply personal, approach to the piece. We start from the idea that this was a theatrical entertainment – a fundamentally dramatic work.”

The recording features Amanda Forsythe, Elizabeth Shammash, Ian Honeyman, Ross Hauck and Jeffrey Strauss. Interviews with the artists and principal players are a highlight of the accompanying DVD, which also includes excerpts from rehearsal and live performance.

The North American release on the AVIE label will be available in late November, in record stores and also through AF.

“Fresh, impeccable & enchanting” – The Cleveland Plain Dealer

The winner of two consecutive grants from the prestigious American Masterpieces initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, Jeannette Sorrell’s early American crossover program has swept Northeast Ohio in over a dozen sold-out performances. “Come to the River: An Early American Gathering” brings together early music artists and traditional Old-Time and Appalachian performers in a 2-hour celebration that Sorrell calls “a journey of the soul.”

The theatrical program, which also features Appalachian dance and body percussion, has drawn over 5000 people in the Cleveland/Akron area since its June 2009 première. One thousand of those people attended AF’s June 2010 debut at the Cain Park Amphitheatre in Cleveland Heights – the nation’s premiere community-owned performing arts amphitheatre.

“It’s wonderful as early music performers to be able to help people tap into the emotional connection with their roots,” Sorrell said. “In the 17th century there was not this chasm between art music and popular music that we have today. Monteverdi and Byrd and Morley wrote pop music for entertainment occasions, and church music for church. All of it is great.”

“A fascinating journey...which a sold-out audience savored.  The theatrical aspects are so charmingly realized that you can’t help but wonder if a sequel is in store.”
–The Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Simply wonderful...a delight for all ages (kids, oldsters, even – gasp – teenagers!)"
–clevelandclassical.com.

Come to the River begins touring next summer.
For information, contact General Manager Cassie Goldbach at 216.320.0012 or cgoldbach@apollosfire.org.

Paul Jarrett

On October 11, the Board of Directors of Apollo’s Fire named Paul Jarrett to the post of Managing Director. Jarrett had joined AF in August as Acting Managing Director. Since then he has won both the trust and the affection of the staff and Board, all of whom cheered the decision to formalize his post. Jarrett came to AF from Opera Cleveland, where was served as Director of Marketing and Public Relations. He also has worked as a creative account executive for a major advertising firm, and performs as a freelance bass player on the side.

Jeannette Sorrell and General Manager Cassie Goldbach noted that Jarrett’s marketing savvy is a perfect match for AF. “AF has always been an entrepreneurial organization,” Sorrell said. “Paul and Cassie and I are all interested in exploring creative new ways to connect with the mainstream world.”

Jarrett said he is thrilled to be joining AF at such a busy and exciting time. "As a lifelong Clevelander, it is my honor and privilege to be a part of this internationally renowned organization,” he said.  “Apollo’s Fire has a reputation both for artistic excellence and also highly efficient management. I look forward to building upon those strengths."