Perfect Evening for "Baroque in the Park" Free Concert Sept. 10

Chicago IL

10 September, 2021

10:59 AM

Description

The weather will be perfect this evening when Music of the Baroque (MOB), in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, opens its 51st Season with its second "Baroque in the Park" open-air performance at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion (201 E. Randolph St.) at 6:30 p.m. The concert will be conducted by Music of the Baroque Music Director Dame Jane Glover. The program includes the opening movement of Vivaldi's "Gloria" and the "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's "Messiah." Joining the Music of the Baroque ensemble will be the Strong Voices Choir, comprised of singers from Chicago public high schools involved in MOB's arts education program. The program also features Chicago cellist Ifetayo Ali-Landing in her MOB debut performing the final movement of Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1. and the world premiere of MOB's first commission, "Spectacle of Light," composed by internationally acclaimed composer Stacy Garrop in honor of MOB's 50th anniversary. Garrop found her inspiration for the work in an etching displayed on MOB's website 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'." Pavilion and lawn seating is free. For more information, including COVID-19 protocols, call 312.551.1414 or visit baroque.org. "Baroque in the Park" is part of Chicago in Tune (Aug. 19 – Sept. 19), a new citywide festival celebrating Chicago's diverse and legendary music scene and the 2021 Year of Chicago Music. For more information visit chicago.gov/music and do312.com/chicagointune.