Susanna Perry Gilmore, Sonya Headlam and Emi Tanabe

Herb Wainer, Kim Parry and Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell

Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland’s internationally acclaimed Baroque orchestra, welcomed 216 guests to its “Party! Period.” benefit on June 23 at University School in Hunting Valley. Led by Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell, Apollo’s Fire celebrates 32 years, having grown from a humble ensemble performing in the Case Western barn into an internationally renowned orchestra.
Apollo’s Fire members performed a musical program with works by Thomas Morley, Henry Purcell, Joseph Bologne and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, while guests enjoyed dinner, wine and cocktails.
Elegantly dressed in black and gold, the performers included Sorrell on harpsichord, soprano Sonya Headlam (MOSAIC artist) and soprano Elora Kares (Young Artist Apprentice).
Susanna Perry Gilmore served as concertmaster and soloist; Emi

Neal Simpson and Rebecca Storey

Tanabe was principal violinist and soloist, Chloe Fedor and Andrew Fouts played violin, Yael Senamaud-Cohen played viola, Rene Schiffer on cello, Sue Yelanjian on contrabass, and Kathie Stewart played wooden flutes.
The menu, catered by Thyme Catering & Special Events, included hors d’oeuvres, summer peach bibb salad, main entree choices, followed by coffee and dessert prepared by their in-house pastry chef Laura Potts. Floral arrangements were provided by Avalon Gardens Farmer Florist.
This past year, Sorrell and the Apollo’s Fire musicians performed in 47 concerts in Cleveland, Akron and Chicago, with 26 of them sold out. Approximately 9,760 people were welcomed by the Community Access Initiate this season including discounted and free tickets for students, seniors, and young adults. Free family night tickets were provided to 133 people.

Astri Seidenfeld, Sabrina Inkley and Marjorie Williams

They released two new “Billboard” Top 10 CD Releases: “Handel’s Israel in Egypt” and “Mystery Sonatas” featuring Apollo’s Fire’s Assistant Artistic Director and baroque violinist, Alan Choo. And there have been more than 16 million YouTube views of Apollo’s Fire videos.
Funds raised through the Fund-the-Need campaign and its silent and live auctions support its community access initiative, its MOSAIC Project (diversity initiative); young artist fellowships, free family concerts and recording initiatives. The event raised approximately $206,000 for these initiatives.
Apollo’s Fire 2024-25 season includes “Brandenburg Concertos” October 18-22; “Hope and Solitude” with countertenor Reginald Mobley November 14-17, “Wassail: An Irish-Appalachian Christmas” December 4-8; Handel’s “Messiah” December 10-14; “Virtuoso Brilliance” from Vivaldi and Telemann February 6-9; “Classical Sparks” with music by Mozart, Haydn and Bologne, with Alan Choo on violin and tenor Jonathan Pierce Rhodes February 27-March 2; “Bachanalia!” April 4-May 4, and Bach’s “B Minor Mass” April 4-8. Visit apollosfire.org for more information. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREA C. TURNER