Baroque Band: British early music specialist Harry Bicket takes time out from his “Hercules” labors at Lyric Opera to conduct Baroque arias and instrumental pieces. His soloist is the delectable British soprano Lucy Crowe. 7:30 p.m. Friday at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Grainger Ballroom, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $35, $30 for seniors; 312-235-2368, baroque
band.org
Chicago Ensemble: Mezzo Stacy Eckert teams with instrumentalists for vocal works by Bach, Mahler, Ravel and others. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. (repeated March 27 at the University of Chicago); $25; 773-889-4206, thechicagoensemble
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Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Charles Dutoit begins a two-week podium engagement with Penderecki’s Concerto Grosso for Three Cellos and Orchestra, Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival Overture” and Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations. The soloists are CSO cellists John Sharp, Kenneth Olsen and Katinka Kleijn. 8 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; $23-$211. Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin joins Dutoit and the orchestra for Grieg’s Piano Concerto, sharing the program with Sibelius’ “Karelia Suite” and Stravinsky’s “Petrushka.” 8 p.m. Thursday (repeated March 25-26); $28-$249. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-294-3000, cso.org
Keyboard Conversations: Jeffrey Siegel plays and discusses piano works by Brahms, Sibelius, Grieg and Nielsen. 7:30 p.m. Friday at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston; $23, $21 for seniors; 847-467-4000, pickstai
ger.org
Pilgrim Chamber Players: The group performs folk-inspired works by Dvorak, Turina, Guastavino and others. 3 p.m. Sunday at Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park; $20, $16 for seniors; 847-433-0972, pilgrimplayers.org
Jory Vinikour: The Chicago-born, European-based harpsichordist returns to perform a recital of Bach, Scarlatti, Rorem and others. 3 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 219 W. Maple Ave., Libertyville; free, donations accepted; 847-362-2174
William Ferris Chorale: The chorus under Paul French presents the world premiere of Chicago saxophonist Jim Gailloreto’s “Sea Songs,” featuring the composer and his jazz string quintet. Works by Debussy, Ravel and Canteloube round out the program. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Madonna della Strada Chapel, Loyola University, 1032 W. Sheridan Road; and 3 p.m. Sunday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 203 S. Kensington Ave., La Grange; $20-$25; 773-508-2940, williamferrischo
rale.org
