This Friday and Saturday, Conductor Jeannette Sorrell, New York Philharmonic principal clarinetist Anthony McGill, and soprano Sonya Headlam perform music of Mozart and Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a French Creole contemporary of Mozart’s whose life was depicted in the 2022 film Chevalier. Composer Derek Bermel has been commissioned to transform Saint-Georges’ violin concerto into a clarinet concerto.
Special offer for ISO patrons
Use the code ISOCHEVALIER24 to get $2 off tickets to see a film screening of Chevalier at the Kan-Kan Cinema at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18. Based on the factual story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African enslaved and a French plantation owner, who rises to heights in French society as a composer before an ill-fated love affair. The film screening will include a virtual discussion with pianist and the composer of Chevalier’s film score Kris Bowers along with soprano Sonya Headlam.
Click here to buy tickets to the ISO’s concert. Performances begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20.
For more information regarding the policies of the Hilbert Circle Theatre, go to indianapolissymphony.org.
About Jeannette Sorrell
Grammy-winning conductor Jeannette Sorrell is recognized internationally as one of today’s most compelling interpreters of Baroque and Classical repertoire. She is credited by BBC Music Magazine for “forging a vibrant, life-affirming approach to early music.” She is the subject of the documentary by Oscar-winning director Allan Miller, titled Playing With Fire: Jeannette Sorrell and the Mysteries of Conducting, commercially released in 2023.
Bridging the period-instrument and symphonic worlds from a young age, Sorrell studied conducting under Leonard Bernstein, Roger Norrington, and Robert Spano at the Tanglewood and Aspen music festivals. As a harpsichordist, she studied with Gustav Leonhardt in Amsterdam and won First Prize and the Audience Choice Award in the Spivey International Harpsichord Competition, competing against over 70 harpsichordists from Europe, Israel, the U.S., and the Soviet Union.
As a guest conductor, Sorrell made her New York Philharmonic debut in 2021 and Philadelphia Orchestra debut in 2022, both to rave reviews. In 2023-24, she returns to the New York Philharmonic, and makes debuts with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Houston Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, the National Arts Centre Chamber Orchestra (Ottawa), and the Orchestra of St Luke’s at Carnegie Hall.
About Anthony McGill
Hailed for his “trademark brilliance, penetrating sound and rich character” (The New York Times), clarinetist Anthony McGill is one of classical music’s most recognizable and brilliantly multifaceted figures. In addition to his dynamic international solo and chamber music career, McGill is principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic – the first African American principal player in the organization’s history.
In 2020, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, one of classical music’s most significant awards given in recognition of soloists who represent the highest level of musical excellence. McGill was honored to take part in the 2009 inauguration of President Barack Obama, premiering a piece written for the occasion by John Williams and performing alongside violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianist Gabriela Montero.
McGill appears regularly as a soloist with top orchestras around North America, including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, and Kansas City Symphony.
About Sonya Headlam
Soprano Sonya Headlam performs music that spans centuries, from the Baroque era to the present. As a soloist, she has garnered acclaim on prestigious stages across the United States. Recent highlights include her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Handel’s Messiah, her Severance Hall debut with conductor Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire performing Mozart and Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges, and joining the North Carolina Symphony for Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. She has collaborated with other esteemed ensembles, such as the New World Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, TENET Vocal Artists, and others. This season, Sonya looks forward to making her solo debuts with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa.
About the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, at home and thriving in the heart of Indianapolis, offers an exceptional artistic and musical experience. The orchestra is open to all and dedicated to creating an inclusive and innovative experiential environment that is inspiring, educational, and welcoming. The ISO celebrates historically beloved performances while engaging audiences by introducing new voices through programming including the IU Health Plans Classical Series, the Printing Partners Pops Series, the holiday traditions of AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration and the popular Film Series presented by Bank of America. For more information, go to indianapolissymphony.org.