PSO WILL PERFORM HANDEL’S FAMOUS WORKS AT ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL
Peoria Symphony Orchestra
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PEORIA, Ill., October 27, 2025 — The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will be performing Handel at the Cathedral at the Cathedral of St. Mary on November 14th and 15th. The concert will feature works by George Frideric Handel, a well-known composer of the late-Baroque period. These pieces include Handel’s Sinfonia in B Flat Major, The Oboe Concerto in G Minor, and the famous Water Music. There will be four featured soloists, including oboist Jeremy Curtis, violinists Marcia Henry Liebenow and Casey Rinkenberger, and cellist Rachel Hsieh.
Marcia Henry Liebenow exclaims, “It will be wonderful to play our two performances at the Cathedral of Saint Mary! In addition to being Concertmaster, I am excited to be featured in a chamber music ensemble for the Handel Sinfonia in B-Flat Major, HWV 339. I’ll play this work with orchestra colleagues violinist Casey Rinkenberger and cellist Rachel Hsieh, as well as guest artist Oleg Timofeyev, who will be performing with us on archlute.
The Sinfonia in B-Flat is in three movements and was written early in Handel’s career, but it was not published until 1979. The first movement showcases the players’ virtuosity with rapid passages of string crossings that trade between the parts. The second movement is slow and lyrical, and the third movement is again fast and exciting. The piece is very collaborative, and you will hear the musical conversations between the players!”
Maestro George Stelluto adds, “We began with Bach and Vivaldi, and this season we present the music of their famous colleague George Frideric Handel. A great innovator, he mixed international styles, introduced the famous Messiah and other oratorios to English society, and composed his joyful Water Music for a royal party on the river Thames in London. In our intimate setting, you will float to his music as you are immersed in the beautiful setting.”
Handel at the Cathedral is the fourth PSO program to be featured at St. Mary’s Cathedral with the previous ones being Bach at the Cathedral, Joy at the Cathedral, and Seasons at the Cathedral. St. Mary’s is known for its stunning architecture and interior design, boasting beautifully crafted arches, painted ceilings, and stained glass windows.
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About Peoria Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1897, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit
organization whose mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire through music. The PSO
presents excellent live musical performances, innovative music education programs, and
engaging community outreach efforts, which significantly impact the cultural and economic
vitality of Central Illinois.
For media inquires or more information
Ashley Hade, Marketing and Communications, Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Email: ashley@peoriasymphony.
