Chicago Sinfonietta
In 1987, classical music pioneer, Maestro Paul Freeman had a decidedly different vision
of what an orchestra could, and should be. He felt that orchestras should reflect the
people and the values of the communities they served. Maestro Freeman had earned an
international reputation as a conductor and was the first African American on the podium
of over 50 orchestras worldwide. By the mid-1980s he concluded that the time was right
for a mid-sized orchestra dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and innovative
programming and he decided that Chicago was the right place to do this. The rarely
performed music by composers of color became a Sinfonietta staple, introducing these
symphonic gems to new generations of concert-goers. In 2009, Freeman announced his
retirement and after a two-year, international search, Mei-Ann Chen was unanimously
selected as Music Director. Maestro Chen’s tenure began with a concert at Millennium
Park attended by over 7,000 people. Her inaugural season in 2011-2012 also coincided
with the orchestra’s move from its long time suburban home toWentz Concert Hall in
Naperville. The Sinfonietta closed its 2012-2013 season with the orchestra’s first recording
in ten years released on Cedille Records. In addition to these accomplishments, the Chicago
Sinfonietta was named by the ASCAP Foundation as the recipient of the 2012 First Place
Award for Adventurous Programming for Mei-Ann’s first season of concerts. Maestro Chen
was also recognized by the League of American Orchestras as the recipient of the 2012
Helen M. Thompson Award, saluting early career music directors who show exceptional
musical leadership and commitment to organizational vitality.
Apollo Chorus
The Apollo Chorus of Chicago is a world-class musical organization that performs preeminent
choral works at premier venues. As a volunteer community chorus bound together since 1872
by a shared love of choral music, Apollo continually strives to advance musically and to increase
appreciation of choral music by presenting concerts and educational programs for diverse
communities throughout Chicagoland.
The Apollo Chorus of Chicago is the area’s premier volunteer chorus. Its over 115 auditioned
members include men and women of all ages, races, creeds, and occupations brought together
by their abiding love of music.
Apollo performs the masterworks of the choral repertoire in concert halls and cathedrals all
over the Chicagoland area. In recent years, the Chorus has performedMendelssohn’s
Elijah
,
Bach’s
Mass in b minor
, Orff’s
Carmina Burana
, andMozart’s
Requiem
. Apollo’s annual
performances of Handel’s complete
Messiah
have become a beloved holiday tradition for
Chicago families. Apollo embraces newmasterpieces too and has featured contemporary
composers EricWhitacre, Eleanor Daley, and Stephen Paulus in its repertoire. Annual Spring
Concerts showcase the Chorus’s range spanning from spirituals to sambas, Baroque to the
Blues. Learn more about their year round concerts at
ARTISTS
MACBETH
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