Apollo's Fire presents: O' Jerusalem! Crossroad of Three Faiths

Hailed as “a ravishing musical landscape… a sensory feast” (ClevelandClassical.com), this evocative program created by Jeannette Sorrell rings with urgency in our time. An ensemble of 26 artists from Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim, and Christian backgrounds come together in this loving tribute to the peoples whose music and faith brought such vibrancy to the Middle East.

In this musical tour of the four quarters of Old Jerusalem (Jewish, Christian, Arab, and Armenian/Byzantine), surprising cross-influences emerge. A Sabbath prayer leads to a Sephardic ballad of a lover betrayed; selections from Monteverdi’s great Vespers of 1610 echo the exotic and rapturous singing of the Jewish cantors in the temples; a classical Arabic love song leads poignantly into the wild Longa Farahfaza – an instrumental romp. The rhythms of daily life – love, singing, dancing and prayer – culminate in a joyous celebration of shared humanity.

This program heads to New York City and London following the Chicago performances.


On Saturday night, join the musicians for a baklava bash with Middle Eastern treats – and see the instruments close up! Open to all.