“Celestial Voices”: Music of the Baroque reviewed by Julia W. Rath

**** Music of the Baroque conductor and chorus director Andrew Megill has done it again, guiding a popularly acclaimed ensemble in the performance of mostly religious music from the 14th through the 17th centuries.

The audience was treated to a wide range of musical delights at Sunday’s concert at the Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church, in suburban Winnetka. It all began when the vocalists walked down the main aisle in a gorgeous processional, singing Kyrie XI (Orbis factor in Plainchant, dating from the Middle Ages. The subsequent music was bookended by Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Komm, Jesu, komm,” BWV 229 (with its lovely soprano arpeggios) and his “Jesu, meine Freude,” BWV 227, featuring vocal soloists Hannah Dixon McConnell and Nathalie Colas (sopranos), Chelsea Lyons (alto), Alec Fore (tenor), and Ian Morris (bass). Also poignant was William Byrd’s “Haec dies” with its satisfaction with the sacred. This was in sharp contrast to Claudio Monteverdi’s “Hor che’l ciel” (Madrigals, Book VIII), where a restless individual cannot fall asleep!

Then there were the various Kyries in between, such as the Kyrie from the Messe de Nostre Dame by Guillaume de Machaut and the Kyrie from Missa cuiusivis toni (in D) by Johannes Ockeghem. Cleverly included after the Machaut was a tribute to him in the form of “Armes, amours” by Francois/Franciscus Andrieu. This composition of two songs was sung by McConnell (soprano), Lyons (alto), and Morris (bass), often to cello and violin accompaniment. This was followed by Josquin des Prez’s “Nymphes des bois.” “While the upper voices sing a secular French poem by Jean Molinet calling on “nymphs of the woods” and fellow composers to mourn Ockegham’s death, the lower voices intone the Requiem chant.”

The most unique part of the concert took place in the second half, with a rendition of Thomas Tallis’s “Spem in alium”, a motet in 40 parts. This featured a darkened sanctuary and additional voices by the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble, from Northwestern University. Rehearsed by Wonju Jo, graduate assistant conductor, and Chuck Foster, collaborative pianist, this 24-voice ensemble made for a splendid addendum to the Music of the Baroque orchestra and chorus. Before the composition began, Megill moved his podium farther back from its previous position, that is, into the center aisle and almost into the audience. He then lit up the score. The reflected light allowed the chorus and orchestra to see his face and the baton. Note that the end of “Spem in alium” was particularly stirring.

Instrumental music included Monteverdi’s “Sinfonia from “Altri anti d’amor” (Madrigals, Book VIII), which means “Other enemies of love.” One of my favorites opened the second half, that is, Antonio Caldara’s “Sinfonia from Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo.” Of course, no one can outdo Bach with his instrumentals, such as his sweet and charming Allegro from the “Sonata No. 6 in G Major for violin and harpsichord, BWV 1019 (BWV 1019a). This composition featured Kevin Case on violin and Stephen Alltop on harpsichord. Then too, we heard Bach’s “Sinfonia from Cantata 196” while the chorus rearranged itself early on in the program. Plus, interludes played by Alltop on the organ and harpsichord helped to create separations between choral numbers.

The concert was delivered with enthusiasm and was very enjoyable. I particularly liked the blend of the chorus and the soloists, where no one person outperformed the rest. At the end of the evening, Megill, dressed in his splendid burgundy and black vest, thanked the orchestra and chorus members personally and recognized all of them for their hard work and their invigorating presentation.

“Celestial Voices” took place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church, 191 Linden Street, in Winnetka.

There was a second performance on Monday, May 18th, at 7:30 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut Street, in Chicago.

For more information about “Celestial Voices”, visit: https://www.baroque.org/Seasons/2025-2026/celestial-voices.

On Demand tickets are available for $18 per household ($15.00 + $3.00 Handling Fee) from May 22nd through June 22nd via the following link:

https://baroque.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/?_gl=1*1kkhseo*_gcl_au*MTkwNDMwOTAzOS4xNzc1ODg1MTA2*_ga*MTk1MDg2OTY3OC4xNzc1ODg1MTA2*_ga_HB6NHXP6H0*czE3Nzg3ODczNDQkbzMkZzEkdDE3Nzg3ODc0NjUkajU1JGwwJGgzNjU3Mzc0OTc.#/instances/a0FRb000007JvOLMA0

For general information and to learn about the next season of Music of the Baroque, including times, dates, locations, and ticket prices, please see: https://www.baroque.org/.

Photos: Elliot Mandel