Classical music events to attend during the holiday season
California Bach Society
Artistic Director Paul Flight leads the chorus in a program of five centuries’ worth of Italian Christmas music, including works by Monteverdi, Verdi and Respighi.
Nov. 30-Dec. 2. $30. San Francisco, Palo Alto, Berkeley. 650-485-1097.www.calbach.org
Ragazzi Boys Chorus
The ensemble of young vocalists presents “For the Beauty of the Earth,” a program of seasonal music with an ecological theme.
Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 9. $20-$30. Palo Alto, Redwood City, S.F. 650-342-8785.www.ragazzi.org
“The Little Prince”
雷切尔·波特曼的巧妙的2003歌剧作曲家, based on the classic children’s book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, makes a suitable family offering. This revival by Opera Parallèle, conducted by Nicole Paiement and directed by Brian Staufenbiel, is the second annual go-round, which means it may be shaping up as a holiday tradition.
Dec. 7-9. $55-$75. Marines’ Memorial Theater, 609 Sutter St., S.F. 415-392-4400.www.operaparallele.org
“Peter and the Wolf”
Christian Reif conducts the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra in Prokofiev’s perennial family favorite, with actor Richard Dreyfuss as the narrator.
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. $25-$110. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-864-6000.www.sfsymphony.org
A Chanticleer Christmas
The men’s chorus offers its annual seasonal program of vocal music, ranging from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to carols and gospel numbers. Dec. 10-23. $35-$75. Oakland, Petaluma, Carmel, Sacramento, San Francisco, Berkeley and Santa Clara. 415-252-8589.www.chanticleer.org
American Bach Soloists
Music Director Jeffrey Thomas leads Handel’s “Messiah” with soprano Mary Wilson, countertenor Eric Jurenas, tenor Aaron Sheehan and bass Jesse Blumberg.
Dec. 12-14. $25-$125. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F. 415-621-7900.www.americanbach.org
San Francisco Symphony’s ‘Messiah’
Jane Glover conducts Handel’s “Messiah,” with soprano Ying Fang, mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong, tenor Nicholas Phan and baritone Joshua Hopkins.
Dec. 14-15. $34-$170. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-864-6000.www.sfsymphony.org
Grace Cathedral Christmas
The Cathedral’s Choir of Men and Boys offers a program of classic carols and sacred masterpieces, accompanied by full orchestra and organ.
Dec. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23. $15-$60. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., San Francisco. 415-749-6300.www.gracecathedral.org
Sonos Handbell Ensemble
The joyous clangor of the holiday season emerges from the playing of this virtuosic group, led by Artistic Director James Meredith. For this concert, the ensemble is joined by mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra.
2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. $32-$72. Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St, Stanford. 650-724-2464. live.stanford.edu
California Symphony
Music Director Donato Cabrera leads a holiday program featuring music by Leroy Anderson (“A Christmas Festival” and “Sleigh Ride”) and Tchaikovsky (selections from “The Nutcracker”), along with a screening of the Oscar-nominated animated short “The Snowman” featuring live orchestral accompaniment.
4和8点。周六,12月22号开拍。42 - 72美元。专业Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 925-943-7469.www.californiasymphony.org