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 spirit of the season . . . It’s all good.


Dec. 2 (7:30 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Arts Center, Sixth and Grace streets, Richmond
Richmond Symphony
Erin Freeman conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Youngmi Kim, soprano
Jessica Renfro, mezzo-soprano
Marco Panuccio, tenor
Michael Dean, bass-baritone
Richmond Symphony Chorus
$25-$50
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://www.richmondsymphony.com

Dec. 2 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Dec. 10 (8 p.m.)
First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St., Charlottesville
Virginia Glee Club
Frank Albinder directing
The Virginia Gentlemen (Dec. 2)
holiday program TBA
$15
(434) 924-3376
http://music.virginia.edu/events

Dec. 2 (7:30 p.m.)
Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard
Dec. 3 (4 p.m.)
Moss Arts Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Roanoke Symphony
David Stewart Wiley conducting
Joy Lynn Jacobs, soprano
Roanoke Symphony Chorus
Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir
holiday pops program TBA
$32-$75
(540) 343-9127
http://rso.com

Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 4 (3 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Arts Center, Sixth and Grace streets, Richmond
Richmond Symphony Pops
Chia-Hsuan Lin conducting
Sarah Kate Watson, soprano
Richmond Symphony Chorus
City Singers Youth Choirs
“Let It Snow!”
holiday music TBA
$25-$50
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://www.richmondsymphony.com

Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Ash Lawn Opera:
Jay Hunter Morris, tenor & guitar
opera arias, jazz and country songs TBA
question-and-answer session follows concert
$29-$44
(434) 979-1333
http://www.theparamount.net

Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 4 (3:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia
Michael Slon conducting
University Singers
Daniel Sender, violin
Stephanie Nakasian, vocals
“Family Holiday Concerts”
works TBA by Handel, Vivaldi, Leroy Anderson, others
$10-$45
(434) 924-3376
http://music.virginia.edu/events

Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 4 (2 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Virginia Opera
John Baril conducting
Rossini: “The Barber of Seville”
Will Liverman (Figaro)
Megan Marino (Rosina)
Andrew Owens (Count Almaviva)
Matthew Burns (Dr. Bartolo)
Christopher Job (Basilio)
Christine Suits (Berta)
André Chiang (Fiorello)
Michael Shell, stage director
in Italian, English captions
$54-$110
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
http://www.vaopera.org

Dec. 3 (7:30 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Edward Polochick conducting & harpsichord
Handel: “Messiah”
Jennifer O’Loughlin, soprano
Diana Moore, mezzo-soprano
Nicholas Phan, tenor
Luca Pisaroni, bass-baritone
Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale
$35-$99
(877) 276-1444 (Baltimore Symphony box office)
http://www.strathmore.org

Dec. 4 (4 p.m.)
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Road, Richmond
Richmond Choral Society
Markus Compton directing
Christopher Martin, organ
Keith Tan, piano
instrumental ensemble
“Christmas with the Richmond Choral Society”
program TBA
$15 in advance, $18 at door
(804) 353-9582
http://www.richmondchoralsociety.org

Dec. 4 (5 and 8 p.m.)
Cannon Memorial Chapel, University of Richmond
UR Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale
Jeffrey Riehl & David Pedersen directing
Festival of Lessons and Carols
prelude with City Singers Youth Choirs
free
(804) 289-8980
http://modlin.richmond.edu

Dec. 4 (7 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Arts Center, Sixth and Grace streets, Richmond
Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program:
Youth Concert Orchestra
Christopher Moseley conducting
Camerata Strings
Rebecca Jilcott conducting
String Sinfonietta
Christie-Jo Adams conducting
works TBA by Sibelius, Brahms, Mozart, others
free
(804) 788-4717
http://www.richmondsymphony.com

Dec. 4 (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 11 (7:30 p.m.)
Walnut Hills Baptist Church, 1014 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg
Cantori Choral Ensemble
Agnes French directing
Franz Biebl: “Ave Maria”
John Rutter: Magnificat
donation requested
(757) 220-5900
http://www.whbconline.org

Dec. 5 (7 p.m.)
James Center Atrium, Richmond
Richmond Philharmonic
Peter Wilson conducting
holiday pops program TBA
free
(804) 673-7400
http://www.richmondphilharmonic.org

Dec. 6 (7:30 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Choral Arts Society
The Women’s Choir
program TBA
$10
(804) 828-6776
http://arts.vcu.edu/music

Dec. 6 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
“Messiah,” sing-in
community singers & instrumentalists
Donald Loach directing
scores provided
$10
(434) 924-3376
http://music.virginia.edu/events

Dec. 6 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Nicholas Hersh conducting
Step Afrika! Dancers
“A Swinging Nutcracker à la Ellington”
Tchaikovsky: “The Nutcracker,” arranged by Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn & Paul Murtha
$22.50-$60
(877) 276-1444 (Baltimore Symphony box office)
http://www.strathmore.org

Dec. 7 (7:30 p.m.)
Family Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Fortas Chamber Music Concerts:
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio
Ellen Taafe Zwilich: “Pas de Trios”
Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 66
Schubert: Piano Trio in E flat major, D. 929
$59
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 8 (8 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Symphony
Daniel Myssyk conducting
The Commonwealth Singers
Erin Freeman directing
Copland: “An Outdoor Overture”
Bizet: “Carmen” Suite No. 2
Poulenc: Gloria
$10
(804) 828-6776
http://arts.vcu.edu/music

Dec. 9 (7 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU faculty and student musicians TBA
Holiday Gala
program TBA
$10; proceeds benefit The Doorway
(804) 828-6776
http://arts.vcu.edu/music

Dec. 9 (7 p.m.)
Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road, Richmond
Dec. 10 (7:30 p.m.)
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Road. Richmond
James River Singers
David Pedersen directing
Greater Richmond Children’s Choir
Hope Armstrong Erb directing
“An International Christmas”
Giovanni Gabrieli: “Hodie Christus Natus est”
Cecilia McDowell: “A Winter's Night Christmas Cantata”
Christopher Aspaas: “ ’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”
Ben Allaway: “Tres Villancicos”
other works TBA
$15
(757) 814-5446
http://thejamesriversingers.org

Dec. 9 (8 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Dec. 10 (8 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 215 St. Paul’s Boulevard, Norfolk
Dec. 11 (7 p.m.)
Sandler Arts Center, 201 S. Market St., Virginia Beach
Virginia Symphony
JoAnn Falletta conducting
Virginia Symphony Chorus
holiday pops program TBA
$25-$110
(757) 892-6366
http://www.virginiasymphony.org

Dec. 9 (7:30 p.m.)
Moss Arts Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Blacksburg Master Chorale
“Christmas Classics”
program TBA
$25
(540) 231-5300
http://www.artscenter.vt.edu

Dec. 9 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 10 (2 and 8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra Pops
Steven Reineke conducting
Laura Osnes & Santino Fontana, vocals
“A Holiday Pops!”
program TBA
$24-$99
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 10 (7 p.m.)
Virginia Center Commons, 10101 Brook Road (U.S. 1 north), Glen Allen
Dec. 11 (3 p.m.)
Hershey Arts Center, Collegiate School, 103 N. Mooreland Road, Richmond
Central Virginia Wind Symphony
Mike Goldberg directing
Al Chez, trumpet (Dec. 11)
holiday program TBA
free
(804) 342-8797
http://www.thewindsymphony.com

Dec. 10 (7:30 p.m.)
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Laurel Street at Floyd Avenue, Richmond
Cathedral choirs & musicians
Daniel B. Sañez directing
Festival of Lessons and Carols
donations benefit The Renewal Projects
(804) 359-5651
http://www.richmondcathedral.org

Dec. 10 (8 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
American Festival Pops Orchestra
Anthony Maiello conducting
“Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season”
program TBA
$33-$55
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar

Dec. 11 (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
soloists TBA
scores provided
rehearsal, 1 p.m. Dec. 10
donation requested
(804) 272-7514
http://bonairpc.org

Dec. 11 (7:30 p.m.)
Wilton House Museum, 215 S. Wilton Road, Richmond
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia:
Mary Boodell, traverso flute
Adam Cockerham, lute
Minna Pensola & Antti Tikkanen, violins
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
“Baroque at Wilton”
program TBA
$35 (sold out; waiting list)
(804) 304-6312
http://cmscva.org

Dec. 11 (2 p.m.)
Dec. 17 (4 p.m.)
Dec. 20 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 21 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 22 (7 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
The Washington Chorus
Julian Wachner directing
“A Candlelight Christmas”
program TBA
$18-$72
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road, Richmond
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia:
Fiona Hughes, Minna Pensola & Antti Tikkanen, violins
Kyle Miller, viola
James Wilson, cello
Millie Martin, double-bass
Mary Boodell, traverso flute
Adam Cockerham, lute
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
Vivaldi: “The Four Seasons”
other Italian baroque works TBA
$25
(804) 304-6312
http://cmscva.org

Dec. 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Shaftman Performance Hall, Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave. SW, Roanoke
Roanoke Symphony
David Stewart Wiley conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Amy Cofield Williamson, soprano
Tara Bouknight, alto
John Hugo, tenor
Philip Bouknight, bass
Roanoke Symphony Chorus
$29-$52
(540) 343-9127
http://rso.com

Dec. 14 (7 p.m.)
Chesapeake Conference Center, 700 Conference Center Drive
Virginia Symphony Brass
“Holiday Brass”
program TBA
free
(757) 892-6366
http://www.virginiasymphony.org

Dec. 15 (8 p.m.)
Phi Beta Kappa Hall, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg
Virginia Symphony Brass
“Holiday Brass”
program TBA
$25-$65
(757) 892-6366
http://www.virginiasymphony.org

Dec. 15 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 16 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 17 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Lawrence Cummings conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
soloists TBA
University of Maryland Concert Choir
$15-$89
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 16 (7:30 p.m.)
Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road, Richmond
Dec. 18 (3 p.m.)
Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 Henry St., Ashland
Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale
Ryan Tibbetts directing
Daniel Stipe, organ
instrumental ensemble
“Sing We Joyous All Together”
Kristina Vasiliauskaite: Magnificat
John Gardner: “My Dancing Day”
Bob Chilcott: “The Shepherds’ Song”
Vaughan Williams: “Wassail Song”
carol sing-along
$10 in advance, $15 at door
(800) 838-3006
http://www.cvamc.org

Dec. 16 (8 p.m.)
First Baptist Church, 12716 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News
Dec. 17 (8 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, 160 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk
Virginia Symphony
Robert Shoup conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
soloists TBA
Virginia Symphony Chorus
$25-$110
(757) 892-6366
http://www.virginiasymphony.org

Dec. 17 (2:30 and 7:30 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Oratorio Society of Central Virginia & orchestra
Michael Slon conducting
Handel: “Messiah” (Part 1 & “Hallelujah” Chorus)
Arianna Zukerman, soprano
Barbara Hollinshead, mezzo-soprano
Jordan Davidson, tenor
David Newman, baritone
Burley Middle School Bearettes Young Women’s Chorus (2:30)
Waynesboro High School Concert Choir (7:30)
$25-$49
(434) 979-1333
http://www.theparamount.net

Dec. 17 (8 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Canadian Brass
“A Canadian Brass Christmas”
program TBA
$36-$60
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar

Dec. 17 (1 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
Choral Arts Society of Washington & orchestra
Scott Tucker conducting
“A Family Christmas”
program TBA
$20-$45
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 17 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 18 (3 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
National Philharmonic
Stan Engebretson conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Danielle Talamantes, soprano
Magdalena Wór, mezzo-soprano
Matthew Smith, tenor
Christòpheren Nomura, baritone
National Philharmonic Chorale
$34-$88
(301) 581-5100
http://www.strathmore.org

Dec. 18 (4 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Vienna Boys Choir
“Christmas in Vienna”
program TBA
$33-$55
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar

Dec. 18 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 19 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 24 (1 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
Choral Arts Society of Washington
Scott Tucker directing
Ralph Alan Herndon, vocalist
“A Choral Arts Christmas”
program TBA
$15-$69
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org

Dec. 19 (7:30 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
The Washington Chorus
Julian Wachner directing
“A Candlelight Christmas”
program TBA
$18-$72
(301) 581-5100
http://www.strathmore.org