Classical music's fall season celebrates eclectic mix of styles, composers

Fulfilling the wish of England’s King George I, famed composer George Frideric Handel wrote special music for a 1717 outing on the River Thames from Whitehall Palace to Chelsea and back. About 50 musicians on a barge followed the royal party, with hundreds and perhaps thousands of onlookers gathered along the banks and on other boats to watch and hear the spectacle.

Conductor Jane Glover and the Chicago-based Music of the Baroque will attempt to at least partially re-create this milestone event Sept. 18 with a performance of excerpts from this work, known simply as “Water Music,” during a 7 to 8:30 p.m. boat excursion on the Chicago River (baroque.org/watermusic).

Either by chance or intent, workers, tourists, residents, diners and others on the Riverwalk or anywhere else along the boat’s itinerary will be able to enjoy the music at no cost as it floats from Odgen Slip in Streeterville to the Merchandise Mart and back.

“Chicago is a special city,” said Declan McGovern, Music of the Baroque’s executive director, “and we’re always eager to find ways to use the infrastructure of the city to celebrate our music and allow as many people as possible to enjoy what we do for free. In effect, this has a sense of being a civic event as well. It’s for the people of the city.”

McGovern conceived the idea as way to take advantage of one of the city’s best-known assets and to promote the organization and promulgate its music in an innovative way.

“We’re often asking ourselves,” he said, “‘How can we feel alive, engaged and really part of the city? We’re playing this beautiful music from the 17th and 18th centuries but how can we make it relevant to Chicago today?’”

The 30-member Music of the Baroque Orchestra and 18 members of its chorus will perform in the roving concert, which will also include three choral selections. Rounding out the performing contingent will be 35 young singers who take part in “Strong Voices,” the organization’s outreach program in seven Chicago public high schools.

While much of the music will be the same as what listeners heard in 1717, there will be one concession to modernity — amplification with speakers on the front and back of the boat so the singers and players can be heard better.