December calendar

Classical performances in and around Richmond, with selected events elsewhere in Virginia and the Washington area. Program information, provided by presenters, is updated as details become available. Adult single-ticket prices are listed; senior, student/youth, group and other discounts may be offered.

* In the sprit of the season: It’s all good.


Dec. 2 (7:30 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Choral Arts Society
VCU Women’s Choir
program TBA
$7 in advance, $10 at door
(804) 828-6776
www.arts.vcu.edu/music

Dec. 2 (7 and 9 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Washington National Opera American Opera Initiative
John DeMain conducting
“Three 20-Minute Operas”
Christopher Weiss & John de los Santos: “Service Provider”
David Clay Mettens & Joshua McGuire: “Alexandra”
Sarah Hutchings & Mark Sonnenblick: “Twenty Minutes or Less”
casts TBA
in English
$15
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 3 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
UR Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Kordzaia conducting
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor – first movement
Solomon Quinn, piano
Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C major
free
(804) 289-8980
www.modlin.richmond.edu

Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Symphony
Governor’s School for the Arts Orchestra
Daniel Myssyk conducting
program TBA
$7 in advance, $10 at door
(804) 828-6776
www.arts.vcu.edu/music

Dec. 3 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 5 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Sarah Hicks conducting
Adams: “The Chairman Dances”
Barber: “Toccata Festiva”
Carpenter: improvisation
Cameron Carpenter, organ
Paul Creston: “Dance Overture”
Mason Bates: “Mothership”
Copland: “Billy the Kid” Suite
$15-$89
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 4 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Music Department performers
“VCU Holiday Gala”
$10; proceeds benefit The Doorways (formerly Hospital Hospitality House)
(804) 828-6776
www.arts.vcu.edu/music

Dec. 4 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 6 (4 p.m.)
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Road, Richmond
Richmond Choral Society
Markus Compton directing
City Singers Youth Choirs
Leslie Moruza Dripps directing
Christopher Martin, organ
Keith Tan, piano
instrumental ensemble
“Christmas with the Richmond Choral Society”
$15 in advance, $17.50 at door
(804) 353-9582
www.richmondchoralsociety.org

Dec. 4 (7:30 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony
Erin Freeman conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Laura Strickling, soprano
Jessica Renfro, mezzo-soprano
Theo Lebow, tenor
Sumner Thompson, baritone
Richmond Symphony Chorus
$20-$50
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
www.richmondsymphony.com

Dec. 4 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Dec. 12 (8 p.m.)
First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St., Charlottesville
Virginia Glee Club
Frank Albinder directing
75th annual Christmas Concert
$15
(434) 924-3376
www.music.virginia.edu

Dec. 4 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 5 (4 p.m.)
University of Virginia Chapel, Charlottesville
Virginia Women’s Chorus
KaeRenae Mitchell directing
Candlelight Concerts
Ola Gjeilo: “Song of the Universal”
other seasonal works TBA
$7.50-$17.50
(434) 924-3376
www.music.virginia.edu

Dec. 4 (7:30 p.m.)
Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard
Dec. 6 (7 p.m.)
Martinsville High School auditorium, 351 Commonwealth Boulevard
Roanoke Symphony Pops
David Stewart Wiley conducting
Adrienne Danrich, soprano
Roanoke Symphony Chorus
Virginia Tech choirs
Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir
“Holiday Pops Spectacular”
$15-$63
(540) 343-9127
www.rso.com

Dec. 5 (2 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets
Finnsbury Minstrel Guild
baroque Advent and Christmas music, Hanukkah music, Swedish carols TBA
free
(804) 646-7223
www.richmondpubliclibrary.org

Dec. 5 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 6 (3 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony Pops
Keitaro Harada conducting
Richmond Symphony Chorus
Erin Freeman directing
Greater Richmond Children’s Choir
Hope Armstrong Erb directing
Nicole Oberleitner, Lauren C. Bolding & Andrew Reid, dancers
Thomas Schneider & Martin Gordon, bassoons
Thomas A. Silvestri & Wesley Buskey, narrators
“Let It Snow!”
$10-$78
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
www.richmondsymphony.com

Dec. 5 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 6 (3:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia
UVa University Singers
Michael Slon conducting
“Family Holiday Concerts”
$10-$45
(434) 924-3376
www.music.virginia.edu

Dec. 6 (5 and 8 p.m.)
Cannon Memorial Chapel, University of Richmond
UR Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale
Jeffrey Riehl & David Pedersen directing
42nd annual Festival of Lessons and Carols
free
(804) 289-8980
www.modlin.richmond.edu

Dec. 6 (7 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program:
Youth Concert Orchestra
Camerata Strings
String Sinfonietta
Christopher Moseley, Rebecca Jilcott & Christie-Jo Adams conducting
program TBA
free
(804) 788-4717
www.richmondsymphony.com

Dec. 7 (7 p.m.)
James Center, 901 E. Cary St., Richmond
Richmond Philharmonic
Peter Wilson conducting
Holiday pops concert
program TBA
free
(804) 673-7400
www.richmondphilharmonic.org

Dec. 7 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting
Bizet: “Carmen” Suite No. 1
Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D minor
Hilary Hahn, violin
Stravinsky: “The Firebird”
$45-$120
(202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts)
www.wpas.org

Dec. 8 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
“Messiah” Sing-In
Donald Loach directing
$10; proceeds benefit UVa’s choral ensembles
(434) 924-3376
www.music.virginia.edu

Dec. 10 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 11 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 12 (2 and 8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra Pops
Steven Reineke conducting
The von Trapps
Stephanie J. Block, vocals
The Washington Chorus
“Family Holiday”
$20-$99
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 10 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Pops
Damon Gupton conducting
Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocalist & host
“’Tis the Season”
$35-$99
(877) 276-1444 (Baltimore Symphony box office)
www.strathmore.org

Dec. 11 (7 p.m.)
Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road, Richmond
Dec. 12 (7 p.m.)
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Road, Richmond
James River Singers
David Pedersen directing
“Make We Joy”
Daniel Pinkham: “Christmas Cantata”
Dominick Argento: Gloria
Z. Randall Stroope: “There Is No Rose”
Elizabethan madrigals, other works TBA
$15
www.jamesriversingers.org

Dec. 11 (8 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Dec. 12 (2:30 and 8 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, 160 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk
Dec. 13 (7 p.m.)
Sandler Arts Center, 201 S. Market St., Virginia Beach
Virginia Symphony Pops
Virginia Symphony Chorus
Robert Shoup conducting
Adrienne Danrich, soprano
“Holiday Pops: Home for the Holidays”
$25-$76
(757) 892-6366
www.virginiasymphony.org

Dec. 11 (8 p.m.)
Hylton Arts Center, George Mason University, Manassas
Dec. 12 (8 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
American Festival Pops Orchestra
Anthony Maiello conducting
“Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season”
$32-$54
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
www.cfa.gmu.edu

Dec. 11 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 12 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 13 (1 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington
China National Traditional Orchestra
Wang Chaoge directing
“Rediscover Chinese Music”
(arrangements by Jiang Ying)
$20-$150
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 12 (2 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets
Richmond Boys Choir
holiday program TBA
free
(804) 646-7223
www.richmondpubliclibrary.org

Dec. 12 (7 p.m.)
Virginia Center Commons Food Court, Washington Highway, Glen Allen
Dec. 13 (3 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
Central Virginia Wind Symphony
Mike Goldberg directing
Audra Honaker, vocals
Kate Simons, host (Dec. 12)
Greg McQuade, host (Dec. 13)
Curnow: “Fanfare for Christmas”
Swearingen: “Covington Square”
Rodgers-Bennett: “The Sound of Music” (selections)
Wilson-Reed: “The Music Man” (selections)
Gershwin: “They Can't Take That Away from Me”
Gershwin: “Someone to Watch Over Me”
Pola & Wyle: “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
Reisteter: “The Eighth Candle”
Williams-Lavender: “A Home Alone Christmas”
Anderson: “A Christmas Festival”
Anderson: “Sleigh Ride”
free
(804) 342-8797
www.thewindsymphony.com

Dec. 12 (2 and 4:30 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Ash Lawn Opera
Kate Tamarkin conducting
Menotti: “Amahl and the Night Visitors”
Georgia Castleman (Amahl)
Brandy Lynn Johnson (Mother)
Kenneth Kellogg (Balthazar)
André Chiang (Melchior)
Benjamin Bunsold (Kaspar)
Gideon Dabi (Page)
dancers & chorus
Andrea Dorf McGray, stage director
in English
$27-$45
(434) 979-1333
www.theparamount.net

Dec. 12 (2 and 7 p.m.)
Dec. 13 (2 and 7 p.m.)
Dec. 18 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 19 (2 and 7 p.m.)
Dec. 20 (2 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Washington National Opera
Michael Rossi conducting
Humperdinck: “Hansel and Gretel”
(arrangement by Kathleen Kelly)
cast TBA
Sarah Meyers, stage director
in English, English captions
$59-$75
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 13 (3 p.m.)
Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road, Richmond
Dec. 18 (7:30 p.m.)
River Road Church, Baptist, River and Ridge roads, Richmond
Dec. 20 (3 p.m.)
Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 Henry St., Ashland
Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale
Ryan Tibbetts directing
Daniel Stipe, organ
“Christmas in the New World”
Conrad Susa: “Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest”
carol arrangements TBA by Alice Parker, Robert Shaw, Mack Wilberg
$10 in advance, $15 at door
(800) 838-3006
www.cvamc.org

Dec. 13 (4 p.m.)
Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W. Huguenot Road, Richmond
Second Sunday South of the James:
“Messiah” sing-along
Anne Carr Regan directing
Karen Floyd Savage, soprano
Ellen Broen, mezzo-soprano
Aaron Jones, tenor
Chase Peak, bass
Stephen Henley, organ
chamber orchestra
choral scores available at door
donation requested
rehearsal at 1 p.m. Dec. 12
(804) 272-7514
www.bonairpc.org

Dec. 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Wilton House Museum, 215 S. Wilton Road, Richmond
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia:
Tricia van Oers, recorder
Fiona Hughes, baroque violin
James Wilson, baroque cello
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
sonatas TBA by Handel, Telemann, Corelli
pre-concert talk at 7 p.m.
$35 (waiting list)
(804) 519-2098
www.cmscva.org

Dec. 13 (5 p.m.)
Dec. 19 (2 p.m.)
Dec. 21 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 22 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
The Washington Chorus
Julian Wachner directing
“A Candelight Christmas”
$18-$72
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 14 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 20 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 24 (2 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
Choral Arts Society of Washington & orchestra
Scott Tucker conducting
“A Choral Arts Christmas”
$15-$69
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 15 (7:30 p.m.)
Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road, Richmond
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia:
Martin Davids, Fiona Hughes & June Huang, baroque violins
Kyle Miller, baroque viola
James Wilson, baroque cello
Mille Martin, baroque double-bass
Mary Boodell, traverse flute
Tricia van Oers, recorder
Margaret Owens, recorder and baroque oboe
Mary Elizabeth Bowden, trumpet
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
J.S. Bach: Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067
J.S. Bach: “Brandenburg” Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047
J.S. Bach: “Brandenburg” Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049
J.S. Bach: “Brandenburg” Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050
pre-concert talk at 7 p.m.
$25
(804) 519-2098
www.cmscva.org

Dec. 16 (7 and 9 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Renée Fleming, soprano
Patricia Barber, composer-pianist
“Higher: the Music of Patricia Barber”
$85
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 17 (8 p.m.)
Regent University Theater, Virginia Beach
Dec. 18 (8 p.m.)
First Baptist Church, 12716 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News
Dec. 19 (8 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, 160 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk
Virginia Symphony
Benjamin Rous conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Joelle Harvey, soprano
Annie Rosen, mezzo-soprano
Brian Giebler, tenor
David Kravitz, bass
Virginia Symphony Chorus
Robert Shoup directing
$25-$76
(757) 892-6366
www.virginiasymphony.org

Dec. 17 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 18 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 19 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 20 (1:30 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Nathalie Stutzmann conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Emöke Barath, soprano
Sara Mingardo, contralto
Lawrence Wiliford, tenor
Burak Biligili, bass
University of Maryland Concert Choir
$15-$89
(800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 18 (8 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Vienna Boys Choir
“Christmas in Vienna”
$32-$54
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
www.cfa.gmu.edu

Dec. 18 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
The Washington Chorus
Julian Wachner directing
“A Candelight Christmas”
$32-$72
(301) 581-5100
www.strathmore.org

Dec. 19 (2:30 and 7:30 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Oratorio Society of Central Virginia
Charlottesville area school choirs
Michael Slon directing
“Christmas at the Paramount” 
Respighi: “Lauda per la Natività del Signore”
soloists TBA
other seasonal works TBA
$25-$49
(434) 979-1333
www.theparamount.net

Dec. 19 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 20 (3 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
National Philharmonic
Stan Engebretson conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Danielle Talamantes, soprano
Margaret Mazzacappa, mezzo-soprano
Matthew Smith, tenor
Christopheren Nomura, baritone
National Philharmonic Chorale
$34-$94
(301) 581-5100
www.strathmore.org