Apollo's Fire @ St. Paul's Episcopal Church 11/15-18 The title was racy ("Pluckfest II"), the mood intimate, and the music enchanting for a luminous evening spent listening to the magic creations of seven musicians in the welcoming space of St. Paul's church. Guitarist Stephen Stubbs, guest director for this Apollo's Fire program, was joined by Maxine Eilander (playing the Spanish harp like an angel). Grant Herreid (guitar and vihuela), Jennifer Roig-Francoli (violin), Rex Benincasa (percussion), Jeannette Sorrel (harpsichord), and soprano Nell Snaidas all contributed to create a splendid mix of vocal and instrumental works.

Snaidas's pure tones brought life to both fiery and romantic love songs from Spain and Italy and (perhaps) the New World. Most dramatic moment: when Snaidas, clad in a clingy black gown and draped with a bright red shawl, began singing The Confessions of a Lady Accusing Herself of Breaking the Ten Commandments. Head covered, she skulked on stage, threw herself to the floor and began her defiant confession. The program was another of Sorrell's inventive looks at the 17th and 18th-century European musical heritage and what she terms its "geographical gateways" to other worlds. It brought out the quiet beauty of plucked strings and served as a reminder that not everything musical must be loud to be wonderful.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com
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