Written in 1718, Handel’s first oratorio Esther is often noted as the first English oratorio and like many of his oratorios followed a story taken from the biblical narrative found in the book of Esther.

Ahasuerus, king of Persia, after having divorced his wife Vashti, raised Esther to the throne. She was the niece of Mordecai, a Jew who had discovered a conspiracy against the king's crown and life. Enraged by a perceived insult from Mordecai, the wicked minister Haman, a favorite of the king and an enemy of the Jewish nation, procured an edict sanctioning the extermination of the entire people of the Jews from the kingdom. The rest of the story revolves around Esther convincing the king to rescind that edict, thereby saving the Jewish nation.
 

Handel set this story for an orchestra of strings, oboe, bassoon, horns, trumpet and harp. Mountainside Baroque will recreate this oratorio with replicas of historical instruments including natural horns and trumpet (no valves) and early harp. The internationally acclaimed soprano, Sarah Fliess will perform the role of Esther while the Grammy nominated tenor, Steven Soph will perform the role of king Ahasuerus. Other roles will be sung by Nathan Medley, Julie Bosworth, Corbin Phillips, Aaron Cates, Nathan Hodgson. The orchestra will be led by Juilliard faculty, Cynthia Roberts. The choir will be Mountainside Baroque’s resident choir, The Scholars of St. Cecilia augmented by select students from the music program at Frostburg State University.​ Conducted by Dr. Lyle Nordstrom.

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Written in 1718, Handel’s first oratorio Esther is often noted as the first English oratorio and like many of his oratorios followed a story taken from the biblical narrative found in the book of Esther.

Ahasuerus, king of Persia, after having divorced his wife Vashti, raised Esther to the throne. She was the niece of Mordecai, a Jew who had discovered a conspiracy against the king's crown and life. Enraged by a perceived insult from Mordecai, the wicked minister Haman, a favorite of the king and an enemy of the Jewish nation, procured an edict sanctioning the extermination of the entire people of the Jews from the kingdom. The rest of the story revolves around Esther convincing the king to rescind that edict, thereby saving the Jewish nation.
 

Handel set this story for an orchestra of strings, oboe, bassoon, horns, trumpet and harp. Mountainside Baroque will recreate this oratorio with replicas of historical instruments including natural horns and trumpet (no valves) and early harp. The internationally acclaimed soprano, Sarah Fliess will perform the role of Esther while the Grammy nominated tenor, Steven Soph will perform the role of king Ahasuerus. Other roles will be sung by Nathan Medley, Julie Bosworth, Corbin Phillips, Aaron Cates, Nathan Hodgson. The orchestra will be led by Juilliard faculty, Cynthia Roberts. The choir will be Mountainside Baroque’s resident choir, The Scholars of St. Cecilia augmented by select students from the music program at Frostburg State University.​ Conducted by Dr. Lyle Nordstrom.

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Telemann, Concerto for flute and strings, TWV 51:G2;

Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78

Rebecca Myers, soprano
Lauren Kelly, mezzo-soprano
Steven Soph, tenor
Brian Ming Chu, baritone
Steven Zohn, flute
Geoffrey Burgess & Gillian Bobnak, oboe
Karen Dekker & Min-Young Kim, violin
Daniel Elyar, viola
Eve Miller, cello
Heather Miller Lardin, double bass
John Walthausen, harpsichord

For additional information, please click here.

J.S. Bach: Cantata 201: “The Contest between Phoebus and Pan”
J.S. Bach: Cantata 207: Vereinigte Zwietracht der wechselnden Saiten

Berwick Academy Orchestra
Ilse Eerens, soprano (Momus/Happiness)
Carley Defranco, soprano
Sylvia Leith, alto (Mercury/Gratitude)
Julian Habermann, tenor (Midas/Diligence)
Steven Soph, tenor (Tmolus)
Tobias Berndt, bass (Phoebus/Honor)
Edmund Milly, bass (Pan)
Jos van Veldhoven, conductor

J.S. Bach: Cantata 201: “The Contest between Phoebus and Pan”
J.S. Bach: Cantata 207: Vereinigte Zwietracht der wechselnden Saiten

Berwick Academy Orchestra
Ilse Eerens, soprano (Momus/Happiness)
Carley Defranco, soprano
Sylvia Leith, alto (Mercury/Gratitude)
Julian Habermann, tenor (Midas/Diligence)
Steven Soph, tenor (Tmolus)
Tobias Berndt, bass (Phoebus/Honor)
Edmund Milly, bass (Pan)
Jos van Veldhoven, conductor

Chris Cerrone, The Last Message Received (world premiere of chamber version)

Michael Gilbertson, Returning

Ildebrando Pizzetti, Requiem

Jeffrey Douma, conductor

Elijah: Felix Mendelssohn

The epic life and ministry of the prophet Elijah is set to some of the most thrilling music ever composed for large chorus and symphony orchestra. World-renowned baritone Tyler Duncan performs the title role, with our Combined Choirs and Orchestra. This is a season finale performance that will be unforgettable.

Performed by: Highland Park Chorale, Highland Park Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, & Orchestra.

FEATURED PERFORMERS:

Tyler Duncan Elijah

This event is being held in the Sanctuary of Highland Park Presbyterian Church and is offered at no cost.

For additional information, please click here.

Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Peace Lutheran Church

Experience J.S. Bach’s Magnificat, one of his most joyous and colorful works. Originally composed to capture the magic and wonder of Christmas Day, this performance promises to be full of energy and an unmistakable sense of celebration.

Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor A. Dennis Sparger, The Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra will be joined by soloists Nola Richardson, Veronica Roan, Steven Soph and Tyler Duncan. The concert also features C.P.E. Bach’s Magnificat, offering a bold and expressive complement to his father’s masterwork. 

Join us for an afternoon of timeless music and tradition, marking the close of our 85th season.

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Jessica Beebe, soprano
Gabriela Solís, mezzo-soprano
Steven Soph, tenor
Edmund Milly, bass
Ellen Exner, oboe
Geoffrey Burgess, oboe
Gillian Bobnak, oboe
Karen Dekker, violin
Evan Few, violin
Eve Miller, cello
Daniel Elyar, viola
Heather Miller Lardin, bass
John Walthausen, keyboard

For additional information, please click here.

Conductor Eugene Lavery leads the Vox Seraphim Choir and Baroque Orchestra in a performance of works by Bach and Buxtehude.

Conductor Eugene Lavery leads the Vox Seraphim Choir and Baroque Orchestra in a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Magnificat (BWV 243.2); Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir (BWV 29); and Dieterich Buxtehude's Magnificat.

For additional information and tickets, please click here.

Philadelphia Orchestra
Jane Glover, conductor
Philadelphia Symphonic Choir

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Philadelphia Orchestra
Jane Glover, conductor
Philadelphia Symphonic Choir

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Philadelphia Orchestra
Jane Glover, conductor
Philadelphia Symphonic Choir

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Philadelphia Orchestra
Jane Glover, conductor
Philadelphia Symphonic Choir

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Bach Vocal Artists
Bach Chamber Orchestra
Dr. John Sinclair, conductor

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Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Alltop Music Director and Conductor

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago Chorus

Spirito Singers Chorus

Steven Soph Tenor (Evangelist)

Evan Bravos Baritone (Jesus)

Josefien Stoppelenburg Soprano

Sarah Ponder Mezzo Soprano

Brian Skoog Tenor

Andrew Garratt Baritone

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Alltop Music Director and Conductor

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago Chorus

Spirito Singers Chorus

Steven Soph Tenor (Evangelist)

Evan Bravos Baritone (Jesus)

Josefien Stoppelenburg Soprano

Sarah Ponder Mezzo Soprano

Brian Skoog Tenor

Andrew Garratt Baritone

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Featuring True Concord Choir, Orchestra, & Jeffrey Biegel, piano
Eric Holtan, Conductor
JAKE RUNESTAD Dreams of the Fallen
PETER BOYER Dreaming a World

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Featuring True Concord Choir, Orchestra, & Jeffrey Biegel, piano
Eric Holtan, Conductor
JAKE RUNESTAD Dreams of the Fallen
PETER BOYER Dreaming a World

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Featuring True Concord Choir, Orchestra, & Jeffrey Biegel, piano
Eric Holtan, Conductor
JAKE RUNESTAD Dreams of the Fallen
PETER BOYER Dreaming a World

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Handel’s Messiah

Augustana Oratorio Society

Dr. Jon Hurty, conductor
Michelle Areyzaga, soprano
Steven Soph, tenor
Dashon Burton, baritone

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Bach Mass in B-minor

Philharmonie Austin + Chorus

Jessica Beebe, soprano
Jennifer Paulino, soprano
Clara Osowski, mezzo soprano
Nick Zammit, countertenor
Steven Soph, tenor
John Buffett, baritone

Mark Dupere, conductor

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

Bach Mass in B-minor

Philharmonie Austin + Chorus

Jessica Beebe, soprano
Jennifer Paulino, soprano
Clara Osowski, mezzo soprano
Nick Zammit, countertenor
Steven Soph, tenor
John Buffett, baritone

Mark Dupere, conductor

For tickets and additional information, please click here.

The Thirteen

Matthew Robertson, conductor

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The Thirteen

Matthew Robertson, conductor

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The Thirteen

Matthew Robertson, conductor

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Bach Vocal Artists
Dr. John Sinclair, conductor
Americana: Barber, Bernstein, Copland

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Featuring True Concord Choir, Chamber Players &
Will Liverman, baritone
In partnership with Tucson Desert Song Festival

Eric Holtan, conductor

Selections from Copland’s Old American Songs,
Music of the Sacred Harp Tradition,
Classic Hymns, and African American Spirituals

Featuring True Concord Choir, Chamber Players &
Will Liverman, baritone
In partnership with Tucson Desert Song Festival

Eric Holtan, conductor

Selections from Copland’s Old American Songs,
Music of the Sacred Harp Tradition,
Classic Hymns, and African American Spirituals