2025-26 Concert Season
Over the course of 55 seasons, Music of the Baroque has become an indelible part of Chicago’s cultural landscape with an unparalleled chorus, top-notch orchestra, and thrilling soloists. Celebrate our Emerald Anniversary with music that embodies the best of all three! To renew your current subscription or create a new series, please call the box office at 312.551.1414.
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Gluck—Orfeo ed Euridice
Dame Jane Glover leads the Music of the Baroque Chorus, Orchestra, and international stars Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and Heidi Stober in our first performances of Gluck’s emotionally charged Orfeo ed Euridice. Follow Orfeo’s desperate journey to the underworld as he battles fate to rescue his beloved Euridice, armed with nothing but his voice. With soaring arias like “Che farò senza Euridice,” dramatic choruses, and famous instrumental music including “Dance of the Blessed Spirits,” will music—and love—conquer all?
- Sunday, September 14, 3:00 PM North Shore Center, Skokie
- Monday, September 15, 7:30 PM Harris Theater, Chicago
- Friday, September 19, 5:00 PM On Demand,
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Bach's Brandenburgs
Revel in the vibrant energy and dazzling virtuosity of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. So-called because of Johann Sebastian Bach’s failed attempt to secure a new job, these intriguingly complex, effortlessly joyful works for soloists and ensemble have become one of the Baroque era’s greatest success stories. The Orchestra’s talent is on full display throughout, from the swaggering hunting horns of Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 to the dark-hued Sixth Concerto.
- Sunday, October 12, 3:00 PM North Shore Center, Skokie
- Monday, October 13, 7:30 PM Harris Theater, Chicago
- Friday, October 17, 5:00 PM On Demand,
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Handel's Messiah
Celebrate the season with Messiah, Handel’s beloved homage to hope, faith, and triumph. From the soul-stirring “Comfort ye, my people” to the exhilarating “Hallelujah Chorus,” this glorious retelling of a timeless story is a thrilling dramatic experience. Dame Jane Glover leads the Chorus, Orchestra, and an illustrious cast featuring the Music of the Baroque debuts of GRAMMY-nominated mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and Ryan Opera Center alum Will Liverman.
- Sunday, November 30, 7:30 PM North Shore Center, Skokie
- Monday, December 1, 7:30 PM Symphony Center, Chicago
- Friday, December 5, 5:00 PM On Demand,
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Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts
Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kraemer directs this decades-long Chicago tradition for the very first time. The Chorus and Brass Ensemble bring to life festive music from the medieval era through the Baroque, including works by Gabrieli, Palestrina, Josquin, Praetorius, and many more. Secure seats early for always sold-out performances of inspiring music in Chicago’s most beautiful spaces.
- Thursday, December 18, 7:30 PM Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest
- Friday, December 19, 7:30 PM St. Michael in Old Town, Chicago
- Saturday, December 20, 2:00 PM Faith, Hope, & Charity Church, Winnetka
- Sunday, December 21, 2:00 PM Alice Millar Chapel, Evanston
- Friday, December 26, 5:00 PM On Demand,
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Fathers & Sons
Explore the intricate ties between fathers and sons in a captivating evening with Demarre McGill, principal flute of the Seattle Symphony. J. S. Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 4 exudes Baroque grandeur, while his son C. P. E. shatters tradition with daring contrasts in his Flute Concerto in G Major. W. A. Mozart, ever eager to impress his father, highlights brilliance in his Flute Concerto in D Major, but how does it compare to Leopold Mozart’s Second Symphony? Come and decide which Mozart reigns supreme!
- Saturday, January 24, 7:30 PM Harris Theater, Chicago
- Sunday, January 25, 7:30 PM North Shore Center, Skokie
- Friday, January 30, 12:00 AM On Demand,
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Baroque Blockbusters!
Prepare for Baroque brilliance with Richard Egarr at the helm! The former Philharmonia Baroque and Academy of Ancient Music director guest-conducts heart-stopping hits from the 17th and 18th centuries and moves to the harpsichord for the electrifying solos in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. Rowan Pierce, whose silvery soprano enchanted fans of the Netflix series Bridgerton, makes her Music of the Baroque debut with Handel’s virtuosic “Silete venti” (“Be silent, winds”). Selections from Purcell’s joyful Fairy Queen complete this spectacular program.
- Sunday, March 1, 7:30 PM North Shore Center, Skokie
- Monday, March 2, 7:30 PM Harris Theater, Chicago
- Thursday, March 6, 5:00 PM On Demand,
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Vivaldi & Friends
Italian violinist and conductor Fabio Biondi, world-renowned for “blazing, fierce performances” (Washington Classical Review) with his ensemble Europa Galante, brings his irrepressible energy to the Orchestra as he leads a high-voltage program centered around Vivaldi, those who inspired him (Geminiani and Corelli), and those he inspired, like Nardini and Pugnani. Concertmaster Gina DiBello joins Biondi for Vivaldi’s Concerto for 2 Violins in G Minor. Make new discoveries and hear familiar favorites afresh!
- Sunday, April 12, 7:30 PM North Shore Center, Skokie
- Monday, April 13, 7:30 PM Harris Theater, Chicago
- Friday, April 17, 5:00 PM On Demand,
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Celestial Voices
Conductor Andrew Megill leads a celebration of our Chorus in breathtaking spaces. From the intricate counterpoint and surprising dissonance of Machaut’s Kyrie and Andrieu’s Armes, amours to the Renaissance splendor of Ockeghem, Josquin, and Byrd, the evolution of choral music unfolds. Tallis’s breathtaking 40-part motet, Spem in alium (Hope in no other), soars alongside Monteverdi’s highly expressive madrigals and Bach’s deeply moving Komm, Jesu, komm and Jesu, meine Freude.
- Sunday, May 17, 7:30 PM Faith, Hope, & Charity Church, Winnetka
- Monday, May 18, 7:30 PM Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago
- Friday, May 22, 5:00 PM On Demand,