Mercury – The Orchestra Redefined presents Handel's Water Music, one of the most elegant and beloved works ever written. A free pre-concert lecture will be held at 7:15 p.m. with Gregory Barnett, associate professor and chair of Musicology at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, providing insights and historical context into Handel's work.

In its third year, Houston Early Music Festival 2015 (HEMF) expands to an extended-weekend event that runs Feb. 12-15 and is sponsored by partner organizations Ars Lyrica Houston, Bach Society Houston, Houston Early Music, Mercury and Piping Rock Singers. HEMF will feature five main-stage performances and an inaugural Young Artist Showcase program, which highlights current student period-instrument ensembles from Texas university and college music programs.