Jan. 14--Chicago Sinfonietta: The orchestra's annual tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. includes Conni Ellisor's and multiple Grammy winner Victor Wooten's "The Bass Whisperer" (with Wooten playing bass), plus gospel selections sung by the Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir. Mei-Ann Chen, Willetta Greene Johnson and Brian Rice conduct. 3 p.m. Sunday, Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $18-$60; 312-284-1554, www.chicagosinfonietta.org
Baroque Band: The Chicago period-instrument group under Garry Clarke explores the rivalry between George Frideric Handel and his 18th-century London colleagues Maurice Greene, William Boyce and Michael Festing, with concertos and symphonies by each. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Augustana Lutheran Church, 5500 S. Woodlawn Ave.; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $39, $35 for seniors, $17 for students; 312-235-2368, www.baroqueband.org
Beyond the Aria: Singers Danielle de Niese, Anthony Roth Costanzo and Bradley Smoak -- all cast members from Lyric Opera's production of "Bel Canto" -- are joined by pianist Craig Terry for a cabaret-style recital of classical and popular vocal fare. 7:30 p.m. Friday, stage of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park; $40; 312-334-7777, www.harristheaterchicago.org
Elmhurst Symphony: Stephen Alltop conducts the ESO Baroque ensemble in a program of concertos and suites by Telemann, Vivaldi and other Baroque composers, with woodwind soloists drawn from the orchestra. 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook, and 3 p.m. Jan. 24, Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst; $7-$32; 630-941-0202, www.elmhurstsymphony.org
Kate Liu: The gifted young Winnetka-born pianist, an alumna of the Music Institute of Chicago Academy, made worldwide headlines when she won the bronze medal in the most recent Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. Her all-Chopin recital will mark her first Chicago concert appearance. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; $30, $20 for seniors, $10 for students; 847-905-1500, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2464137
Lyric Opera of Chicago -- "Bel Canto": The opera by composer Jimmy Lopez and librettist Nilo Cruz, based on the best-selling novel by Ann Patchett, receives its world premiere performances, with soprano Danielle de Niese as a world-famous opera diva who soothes terrorist breasts during a hostage crisis in Peru. Andrew Davis conducts. Through Sunday, Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; $34-$239; 312-827-5600, www.lyricopera.org
Northbrook Symphony Orchestra: Andrew Guo, a gifted young pianist from the Music Institute of Chicago Academy, will perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major as part of an all-Mozart program under Lawrence Rapchak's direction. Symphonies Nos. 28 and 30 complete the program. 4 p.m. Sunday, Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, Glenbrook North High School, 2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook; $30-$50, $8 for children and students; 847-272-0755, www.northbrooksymphony.org
Pacifica Quartet: The University of Chicago resident artists perform string quartets by Schnittke, Shostakovich and Mendelssohn. 3 p.m. Sunday, Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.; $30, $5 for students; 773-702-2787, www.chicagopresents.uchicago.edu
Winter Chamber Music Festival: Northwestern University's 20th annual event continues through Feb. 7, featuring guest artists and ensembles and Bienen School of Music faculty musicians. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, faculty and guests will perform works by Brahms, Faure and Shostakovich. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the Ashkenasi-Liu-Taylor Trio will present works by Schubert and Busoni. Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston; $30, $10 for students; 847-467-4000, events.music.northwestern.edu
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