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; here are 10 of the main attractions coming our way.
A joyful noise: Producer, conductor and arranger Damien Sneed, who comes to the Bay Area for shows in Berkeley and Livermore this week, knows how to celebrate the season. Throughout his career — which includes collaborations with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Wynton Marsalis, tenor Lawrence Brownlee and Houston Grand Opera — Sneed has presented musical celebrations across the country. His new concert, “Joy to the World: A Christmas Musical Journey,” is a mix of classical, jazz and gospel repertoire; he and a cast of eight will cover holiday favorites, excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah,” and more. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 3, Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley; $29-$68; 510-642-9988; calperformances.org; also 3 p.m. Dec. 5; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $20-$98; 925-373-6800; www.livermorearts.org.
San Francisco Symphony: As always, the Symphony has a full schedule of events in Davies Symphony Hall this month, including two “Messiah” performances (Dec. 10-11), a “Merry-Achi Christmas” (Dec. 12), “Holiday Gaiety” with Peaches Christ and friends (Dec. 17), and a very special “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” (Dec. 21), starring Tony Award-winning British actor Alan Cumming narrating E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story in a production featuring excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Details: Dec. 8-23, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco; $15-$229; 415-864-6000; www.sfsymphony.org.
A Bach “Christmas”: For many of us, the holidays start with the music of J.S. Bach. This month brings the composer’s “Christmas Oratorio” in four performances by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, conducted by music director Richard Egarr and featuring soprano Lydia Teuscher, contralto Avery Amereau, tenor Gwilym Bowen, and bass-baritone Ashley Riches. Details: 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Bing Hall, Stanford; 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 4 p.m. Dec. 12, First Congregational Church, Berkeley; $15-$120; philharmonia.org.
Festive to the max: There’s always good cheer at the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus annual holiday extravaganza. In its first return to the stage since 2019, the revered ensemble returns with “Holigays Are Here…Again!” The show features more than 250 choristers and special guests performing songs of the season. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 10, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Sydney Goldstein Theater, San Francisco; $25-$110; 415-392-4400; www.sfgmc.org.
Holiday “Carols”: It’s become the best kind of family tradition: each year, “Carols in the California” attracts music lovers of all ages for a program of holiday songs in the gorgeous California Theatre. Be prepared to sing along; performed by Symphony San Jose’s brass ensemble and the Symphony San Jose Chorale under conductor Elena Sharkova, this year’s event — the 14th annual — encourages audience participation. Details: 7 p.m. Dec. 11, California Theatre, San Jose; $36 general, $26 age 26 and younger; 408-286-2600; www.symphonysanjose.org.
A poignant farewell: Ian Robertson, who has led the San Francisco Opera Chorus for an astonishing 35 seasons, 375 productions and more than 2,000 performances, retires at the end of the year. Now the company he has served with consistent excellence will honor him in a special concert. “San Francisco Opera Chorus in Concert: Celebrating Ian Robertson” spans eras and styles with opera choruses by Bach, Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Florence Price, Gabriela Lena Frank, Cava Menzies and others. Details: 7:30 Dec. 11, 2 p.m. Dec. 12; Taube Atrium Theater, San Francisco; $39; 415-864-3330; www.sfopera.com.
Ragazzi returns: “Mysteries and Miracles” is the title of the holiday concert by the Ragazzi Boys Chorus, marking the ensemble’s first return to the stage in almost two years. The program spans seasonal classics and contemporary works. Details: 2 p.m. Dec. 4; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Redwood City ($30); 4 p.m. Dec. 12, Old First Church, San Francisco; live-stream tickets also available ($20-$25); 650-342-8785; ragazzi.org.
Sublime a capella: In its regular season concerts, Chanticleer covers a range of repertoire from the 16th century to the present, all with a silken vocal blend. But “A Chanticleer Christmas” finds the 12-man a capella group at its most sublime. Catch this year’s performances around the Bay. Dec. 12-23 in Oakland, Berkeley, Petaluma, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Carmel; $35-$79; www.chanticleer.org.
Handel at American Bach: Returning to Grace Cathedral with two programs, American Bach Soloists begins its holiday season Dec. 15 with an concert featuring Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto,” Charpentier “Noels” and excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah.” Two performances of the complete “Messiah” are scheduled for the following evenings. Details: Program One 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15; Program Two 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16-17; Grace Cathedral, San Francisco; $25-$125; www.americanbach.org.
Marking a milestone: Celebrating two anniversaries — the 25th for the Choral Project led by artistic director Daniel Hughes, and the 30th for the San Jose Chamber Orchestra under music director Barbara Day Turner — these organizations are teaming up for a special evening. “Winter’s Gifts: Stars” features the world premiere of “The Singing Bowl” by Hughes; works by Ola Gjeilo, Henry Mollicone, and Randall Thompson round out the program. Details: 5 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; Mission Santa Clara at Santa Clara University; $15-$40; 408-357-4140; www.choralproject.org.
Contact Georgia Rowe at growe@pacbell.net.
