Music of the Baroque Returns to the North Shore Center Sept. 19

Music of the Baroque returns to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 with an exhilarating program, "Baroque Fireworks."

“We are in the business of giving live concerts," says Executive Director Declan McGovern, "and while we were thrilled to be able to offer our audience a virtual season for our 50th anniversary, this new season restores two important elements: our magnificent chorus and our audience . Concerts just aren’t the same when there is no audience in the hall—this is such a vital part of the chemistry that makes every live concert special. The return of our chorus also marks an important step as we get back to normal and see the restoration of the full Music of the Baroque ensemble."

The Sept. 19 program will feature Music of the Baroque’s first commission, the Baroque-inspired “Spectacle of Light” composed by internationally acclaimed composer Stacy Garrop in honor of MOB’s 50th anniversary, but delayed in its debut due to the 2020 breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garrop found her inspiration for the work in an etching displayed on Music of the Baroque’swebsite of a 1749 fireworks spectacle on the River Thames in honor of Great Britain’s King George II.“I was intrigued by the manner in which the etching’s artist represented the path of each individual firework, starting with an upward trajectory of a golden streak of light that inevitably bends and falls back towards the earth, blooming into glittering specks before flickering out,” says Garrop. “Ultimately, I decided that ‘Spectacle of Light’ would represent the experience of a fireworks show. As a tip of the hat to Music of the Baroque, I worked a few salient elements of the Baroque style into my own musical language, as well as found a few choice spots to add a few subtle hints of Handel’s ‘Royal Fireworks’.”

Concert attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy Handel's "Music for the Royal Fireworks" as well as Handel’s “Water Music” and “Concerto for Two Choirs” plus Telemann’s “Concerto for Three Trumpets.”

Tickets for "Baroque Fireworks" are $25-$95. For tickets or more information visit baroque.org or call 312.551.1414

Under the direction of internationally acclaimed British conductor Dame Jane Glover, Music of the Baroque occupies a special place in the rich cultural life of Chicago. Long recognized as one of the region’s top classical groups, Music of the Baroque’s professional chorus and orchestra is one of the leading ensembles in the country devoted to the performance of eighteenth-century works. For more information about Music of the Baroque, visit baroque.org.