Apollo's Fire Will Open 35th Season in Cleveland
The chamber orchestra begins its new season on October 15 with a tribute to Benjamin Franklin's musical life in Paris.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Classical
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Apollo's Fire will launch its 35th anniversary season on October 15, 2026, with a program highlighting music Benjamin Franklin experienced in Paris during 1778. The opening concert series will run through October 18.
Why it matters
The program celebrates the historical connection between Enlightenment-era figures and the music of the time, building on a project initially supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. It offers local audiences a curated experience of composers who shaped 18th-century French culture.
Tickets for the opening performances are available from $12 to $85. The season will also feature a 300th-anniversary performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in mid-March 2027.
The players
Apollo's Fire
This Cleveland-based chamber orchestra is a professional period-instrument ensemble recognized for its historically informed performances.
Benjamin Franklin
He was a Founding Father of the United States who served as a diplomat in Paris during the late 18th century.
The details
The season-opening program includes Mozart's Symphony No. 31, Joseph Bologne's Sinfonie-Concertante, and works by Grétry and Rameau. Performers will utilize diverse period instrumentation including the cello, harp, recorder, and lute to capture the aesthetic of 1778 Paris, featuring a Contredanse inspired by a meeting between Franklin and Voltaire.
Timeline
The season opener runs from October 15-18, 2026.
A concert series titled Echoes Across the Atlantic is set for November 2026.
The 300th anniversary of Bach's St. Matthew Passion will be marked in mid-March 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This program reflects a growing trend among period-instrument ensembles to contextualize classical works within specific historical narratives. By centering the season on Benjamin Franklin's life, the group distinguishes its programming from standard repertoire cycles used by larger symphony orchestras.
Cleveland residents can purchase tickets for the upcoming performances directly through the orchestra's website. The diverse scheduling ensures that listeners have multiple opportunities to engage with the music throughout the year, including performances at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Severance Music Center.
The takeaway
Engaging with history through period-accurate music provides a unique window into the daily life of historical figures like Franklin. Attendees can enhance their experience by exploring the composers listed in the program prior to the performances.
Further reading
Discover more about local performances on the Classical page.
More information
To view the full performance schedule or secure your seats, visit the Apollo's Fire orchestra ticket website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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