“With in-person events back on Bay Area stages, the classical music scene is feeling the love this holiday season. December brings concerts, operas, recitals and more,” writes Georgia Rowe in Tuesday’s (11/30) Mercury News (San Jose, CA). “The San Francisco Symphony has a full schedule of events in Davies Symphony Hall this month, including two ‘Messiah’ performances … a ‘Merry-Achi Christmas,’ … ‘Holiday Gaiety’ with Peaches Christ and friends … and … ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,’ … starring … actor Alan Cumming narrating E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story …featuring excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s iconic score…. This month brings [J.S. Bach’s] ‘Christmas Oratorio’ in four performances by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra…. Each year, ‘Carols in the California’ attracts music lovers of all ages, [a concert and] singalong performed by Symphony San Jose’s brass ensemble and the Symphony San Jose Chorale…. The Choral Project … and the San Jose Chamber Orchestra … are teaming up for … ‘Winter’s Gifts: Stars’ [featuring] the world premiere of ‘The Singing Bowl’ by [Choral Project artistic director Daniel] Hughes; works by Ola Gjeilo, Henry Mollicone, and Randall Thompson round out the program.” Choral groups performing include Chanticleer, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, San Francisco Opera Chorus, and American Bach Soloists.
Change font size
