Grammy nominated Ars Lyrica's "Flying High" soars and lifts the spirit with music ranging from nimble Baroque dances to a memorable setting of the legend of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun. French and Italian Baroque chamber works animate this program, featuring French-Italian soprano Céline Ricci and viola da gambist Mary Springfels in G. F. Handel's evocative Tra le fiamme.

The program begins Ars Lyrica's 11th season, which is devoted to Baroque music that inspires diverse moods, emotions, even actions — from drama to romance, enchantment to celebration. Ars Lyrica performed "Flying High" earlier this summer at the world-renowned Berkeley Early Music Festival and Exhibition on June 3. This performance marked the group's debut at the Berkeley Festival.

Also on the program are Jean-Féry Rebel's Les Caractères de la Dance, excerpts from J. – J Cassanéa de Mondonville's Piéces de clavecin avec voix ou voilon, Op. 5, Alessandro Scarlatti's Cello Sonata in D Minor, Sonata sopra la Folia and Jean-Philippe Rameau's Suite from Les Indes galantes.