French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky has taken Europe by storm, nominated as “Classical Artist of the Year” in France in 2005, and winning “Lyric Artist of the Year” in 2007 – the French equivalent of a Grammy award. Apollo’s Fire and Jaroussky share a commitment to emotionally communicative performances. Together they explore the full dramatic range of Handel and Vivaldi’s arias for the virtuoso castrato singers of the 18th century.  
 
Vivaldi’s fiery concertos round out the program, including the Concerto for Two Cellos and Jeannette Sorrell’s popular arrangement of La Follia (“Madness”), which the ensemble performs from memory. This transatlantic collaboration heads to France, Spain and Portugal following the U.S. performances.

"It was immediately obvious that the evening would be a party, with fireworks in style. A standing ovation, as rarely happens at the Royal Theatre.  The shadow of the American Louis Armstrong was evoked in spirit to perfection by his compatriots from Cleveland, Apollo's Fire Baroque Orchestra, thanks to some dazzling variations on the trio sonata "La Follia".  These musicians rejuvenated the baroque for us with the spirit of jazz, and the joy of playing together....  Jeannette Sorrell conducted from the harpsichord with great precision, sensitivity and femininity.  The concert was impeccable and the Royal Theatre was full to overflowing. One of those evenings that leaves you wanting more."
– EL PAÍS (the leading national newspaper of Spain), Madrid

"Easily one of the most enjoyable concerts of the season.... Part of the evening’s success flowed from the sense of artistic collaboration, as Apollo’s Fire here was far more than a backup band. The group pulled out Sorrell’s arrangement of Vivaldi’s “La Follia’’ trio sonata, uncorking it like a Baroque party piece, dashed off from memory. These excellent young musicians take a highly gestural approach to phrasing and bring across their music with an exuberant physicality, like wind through a forest."
– THE BOSTON GLOBE

"Apollo's Fire's flair for drama was perhaps best displayed in a grand rumpus performance of Sorrell's arrangement of Vivaldi’s La Follia. This party piece, played from memory, featured many steep and rapid changes in tone, texture and rhythmic character. One of the most interesting and rewarding recitals of the season."
– THE TORONTO GLOBE & MAIL

"People… crowded into Emmanuel Church for [Jaroussky’s] concert with Apollo's Fire, Cleveland's premiere period-instrument ensemble, under the tight and lively direction of harpsichordist Jeannette Sorrell. Her positively demented improvisational arrangement of Vivaldi's setting of the famous song "La folia" (Madness) was greeted with almost the same rapture as Jaroussky."
– THE BOSTON PHOENIX

"A thrilling program.  An enthusiastic audience called the singer and the ensemble back for three encores, each exquisitely rendered."
– THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

"Apollo’s Fire… played the [La Follia] variations with brio and style and more than a hint of the madness the title implies. It was delicious."
– ANN ARBOR.COM (formerly the Ann Arbor News)

"A... remarkable evening of music took place at Royce Hall [UCLA] last Friday… So much of it is rarely heard with the authenticity and bravura of the Apollo’s Fire baroque orchestra. Superbly accompanying Jaroussky, Apollo's Fire also added equally gripping musical moments of their own. Done brilliantly and memorably."
– INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF MUSIC (online publication)

"Oh, Give Me a Muse of Apollo's Fire…! There are concerts that stick in one’s memory forever. Apollo’s Fire’s joint concert with the spectacular countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, entitled Handel and Vivaldi Fireworks, will be exactly that... "
– THE ARTS FUSE:  The Culture of New England (Boston, MA)

"The singing was from start to finish extraordinary - no other single word will suffice. He sang with Apollo's Fire, the baroque orchestra that Sorrell has made one of the finest in the world. This was the first joint appearance of the singer and this orchestra, but it cannot be the last"
– John W. Lambert, CVNC (CLASSICAL VOICE OF NORTH CAROLINA), Durham

God's Own Fire "The Arsenal de Metz was packed to the rafters. What is one to say of the performance of the 14 strings and harpsichord that helped set the Palais Bofill Hall on fire -- along with the divinely bewitched singer? They play standing up, and are quite demonstrative under the guidance of Jeannette Sorrell, a conductor/harpsichordist who manages to be everywhere, plays the harpsichord, and who personally elicits the audience's enthusiasm herself. These winged baroque specialists offered us the surprising and delightful style that they have made their own... Clock-like precision, birdlike lightness, and intoxicating alacrity. Their unleashed impulses made "La Follia" flare up in flames. They pulled us irresistibly into their boundless whirlwind - and we found ourselves happily flying along. It's all fire and flames. The sparks of each musician, and of all of them, turned the Arsenal into a flaming seraglio"
– Le Républicain Lorrain, Metz, FRANCE

"Jaroussky, a mellifluous countertenor, invested the role with heart-breaking conviction."
– THE NEW YORK TIMES

"Jaroussky soars as effortlessly as a bird."
– GRAMOPHONE

"Apollo's Fire and Jeannette Sorrell have forged a vibrant, life-affirming approach to early music."
– BBC MAGAZINE