Romance gets the once-over by Mercury Baroque during today’s A French Valentine. The group performs cantatas by Jean-Philippe Rameau, including Orphée, the tragic tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. She dies on their wedding day, leaving Orpheus so heartbroken that he travels to the underworld to bring her back. He succeeds in convincing the king and queen of Hades to let her return with him, only to lose her just as they return to the world of the living. Rameau’s music, while filled with the trademark baroque flourishes and depth, is extremely approachable and easy on contemporary ears. 8 p.m. February 14 and 17. Wortham Center, 501 Texas. 8 p.m. February 18. The John Cooper School, 1 John Cooper Drive, The Woodlands. For information, call 713-533-0080 or visit www.mercurybaroque.org. $22 to $59.
Tue., Feb. 14; Fri., Feb. 17; Sat., Feb. 18, 2012
This article appears in Feb 9-15, 2012.