Tuesday, December 16
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
George Frideric Handel, Messiah. Jeffrey Thomas conducts the ABS period-instrument orchestra, the acclaimed American Bach Choir, and soloists Mary Wilson, soprano; Eric Jurenas, countertenor; Wesley Rogers, tenor; and Jesse Blumberg, baritone, in the Foundling Hospital version (1753) of Handel’s most famous work.
7:30 PM
Grace Cathedral
1100 California St., San Francisco
$15–$97
Tickets, 415-621-7900, [email protected]
A Chanticleer Christmas
The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to traditional carols, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” (Chanticleer’s most requested Christmas selection), and Chanticleer’s traditional medley of spirituals.
8 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way (entrance on Durant near Dana), Berkeley
$35–$69
Tickets, 415-392-4400
Wednesday, December 17
A Chanticleer Christmas
The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to traditional carols, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” (Chanticleer’s most requested Christmas selection), and Chanticleer’s traditional medley of spirituals.
8 PM
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
1017 11th St., Sacramento
$35–$69
Tickets, 415-392-4400
San Francisco Recorder Society
Monthly playing session with guest conductor Greta Hryciw. New members and guests welcome.
7:30PM–9:30PM
Christ Church Lutheran
1090 Quintara St. (at 20th Ave.), San Francisco.
Non-members $10 fee applied to membership.
For more information contact Florence Kress: 415-731-9709, arssanfrancisco.org/
Thursday, December 18
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
George Frideric Handel, Messiah. Jeffrey Thomas conducts the ABS period-instrument orchestra, the acclaimed American Bach Choir, and soloists Mary Wilson, soprano; Eric Jurenas, countertenor; Wesley Rogers, tenor; and Jesse Blumberg, baritone, in the Foundling Hospital version (1753) of Handel’s most famous work.
7:30 PM
Grace Cathedral
1100 California St., San Francisco
$15–$97
Tickets, 415-621-7900, [email protected]
Friday, December 19
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
George Frideric Handel, Messiah. Jeffrey Thomas will conduct the ABS period-instrument orchestra, the acclaimed American Bach Choir, and soloists Mary Wilson, soprano; Eric Jurenas, countertenor; Wesley Rogers, tenor; and Jesse Blumberg, baritone, in the Foundling Hospital Version (1753) of Handel’s most famous work.
7:30 PM
Grace Cathedral
1100 California St., San Francisco
$15–$97
Tickets, 415-621-7900, [email protected]
San Francisco Early Music Society presents Magnificat, Warren Stewart, Director
“Cavalli, Mass for Christmas” One of his grandest and most celebratory works, Francesco Cavalli’s elaborate concertato Mass setting is taken from his retrospective collection, Musiche sacre (1656). The work is brilliant, festive, joyous, and rich in the instrumental colors of strings and brass for which Venetian music was renowned. Cavalli’s mass will be presented in full liturgical context, interspersed with motets and sonatas by Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Gabrieli and others, as well as the antiphons and other Gregorian chant appropriate for the feast day, in a complete musical reenactment of the third mass for Christmas day, as it might have been celebrated 350 years ago. With Clara Rottsolk and Jennifer Paulino, soprano; Andrew Rader and Clifton Massey, alto; Christopher LeCluyse, and Dan Hutchings, tenor; Peter Becker, bass; Rob Diggins and Jolianne von Einem, violin; Richard Van Hessel, Erik Schmalz and Mack Ramsey, sackbut; John Dornenburg, violone; and Yuko Tanaka, organ. Read more…
8 PM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
600 Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto
Please note special venue for this performance.
General $35, Seniors $32, SFEMS Members $30, Students $12
Tickets, 510-528-1725
Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble
WAVE Christmas Concert 2014
The Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble (WAVE) and the men of the Schola Cantorum of St. Albert Priory will present their annual “Festival of Readings and Carols.” In addition to musical selections, poetry appropriate to the season will be read. The performance includes early music from England and France, selections from Llibre vermell de Montserrat, and music composed by Adam de St. Victor, Heinrich Schütz, Francisco Guerrero, and William Billings. The concert will also include a sing-along of some traditional Christmas carols. Please join us for an evening of ancient and traditional holiday music.
8 PM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
$20 General/$15 Students and seniors. All tickets will be sold at the door.
www.wavewomen.org, [email protected], 510-730-2068
The Albany Consort
New York virtuoso harpsichordist Ignacio Prego joins The Albany Consort in a multi-keyboard concert featuring concertos by Bach for one, two and three harpsichords. Joining Ignacio are local favorites Jonathan Salzedo and Marion Rubinstein and a string group led by Laura Rubinstein-Salzedo. Works by Leclair, Telemann and A. Scarlatti complete the program. Wine and cheese will be served after the concert. With Ignacio Prego, Jonathan Salzedo, Marion Rubinstein, harpsichords; Marion Rubinstein, recorder; Laura Rubinstein-Salzedo, Caitlin Cribbs, violins; Ondine Young, viola; Maria Martinez, cello.
8 PM
Christian Science Organization
2601 Durant Ave (at Bowditch), Berkeley
$30 General/$20 Seniors/$10 Students
Tickets, www.albanyconsort.com, [email protected]
Saturday, December 20
A Chanticleer Christmas
The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to traditional carols, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” (Chanticleer’s most requested Christmas selection), and Chanticleer’s traditional medley of spirituals.
6 PM, 8:30 PM performances
Mission Santa Clara
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
$35–$69
Tickets, 415-392-4400
San Francisco Academy Orchestra, John Kendall Bailey, conductor
“Sing-it-Yourself Messiah” The San Francisco Academy Orchestra partners with Calvary Presbyterian Church in a performance of a “Sing-It-Yourself Messiah,” which each year is a celebration of the holiday season in San Francisco by participating singers of all faiths and affiliations. The performance of the Christmas portion and Hallelujah Chorus of G.F. Handel’s epic oratorio is open to all singers whether currently members of a chorus or individuals seeking their yearly Messiah fix. Maestro John Kendall Bailey is offering a free workshop to both the familiar and first-time Messiah singers at Calvary Presbyterian Church the same day from 10 AM to Noon to provide both the historical context of the piece and an opportunity to rehearse various parts of the score. Scores will be available for a rental fee, or bring your own. With soloists Pamela Sebastian, soprano; Janet Campbell, mezzo soprano; Keith Perry, tenor; and Jeff Fields, baritone.
4 PM (Free Workshop 10 AM–12 PM)
Calvary Presbyterian Church
Jackson and Fillmore Sts., San Francisco
Suggested donation $25, $15 for students and seniors. A concert to benefit the 2015–2016 Scholarship Fund [of the SF Academy Orchestra]!
San Francisco Early Music Society presents Magnificat, Warren Stewart, Director
“Cavalli, Mass for Christmas” One of his grandest and most celebratory works, Francesco Cavalli’s elaborate concertato Mass setting is taken from his retrospective collection, Musiche sacre (1656). The work is brilliant, festive, joyous, and rich in the instrumental colors of strings and brass for which Venetian music was renowned. Cavalli’s mass will be presented in full liturgical context, interspersed with motets and sonatas by Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Gabrieli and others, as well as the antiphons and other Gregorian chant appropriate for the feast day, in a complete musical reenactment of the third mass for Christmas day, as it might have been celebrated 350 years ago. With Clara Rottsolk and Jennifer Paulino, soprano; Andrew Rader and Clifton Massey, alto; Christopher LeCluyse, and Dan Hutchings, tenor; Peter Becker, bass; Rob Diggins and Jolianne von Einem, violin; Richard Van Hessel, Erik Schmalz and Mack Ramsey, sackbut; John Dornenburg, violone; and Yuko Tanaka, organ. Read more…
7:30 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way (entrance on Dana near Durant), Berkeley
Please note special venue for this performance.
General $35, Seniors $32, SFEMS Members $30, Students $12
Tickets, 510-528-1725
Reception and SFEMS Holiday Party follows this performance at The Musical Offering café and record store, 2430 Bancroft Way, one-and-a-half blocks northeast of the church.
San Francisco Renaissance Voices, Katherine McKee, Music Director
Third Annual Free Family Concert: “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” Don’t miss this traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols, including a festive holiday reception afterwards with San Francisco Renaissance Voices! This event is modeled after the Festival of Lessons and Carols first performed in 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge (England), where it has been performed every year since. There will be plenty of opportunity for you to sing carols along with us to get you into the holiday spirit. A tradition of the festival is to specially commission a new work each year to be performed, and we are delighted to premier Рождество 1963 года (Christmas, 1963) by New York City composer Nicholas Rastegar. This is a free event, and no tickets or reservations are required—our holiday gift to you!
7:30 PM
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
FREE No tickets or reservations required
www.sfrvoices.org Please note that this is a new web address
Vajra Voices and Angelorum
“Nova Gaudia!” Medieval Music of Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) and St. Martial Organum. Sumptuous Antiphons celebrating the Virgin Mary by the medieval mystic St. Hildegard von Bingen, and St. Martial florid organum, sung by Vajra Voices, with harpist Cheryl Ann Fulton and the harp ensemble Angelorum. Led by contralto Karen R. Clark and harpist Cheryl Ann Fulton.
8 PM
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
1823 9th St., Berkeley
$20 suggested donation at the door
510-812-4518, [email protected], www.vajravoices.com
Sunday, December 21
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Conductor
George Frideric Handel, Messiah. Jeffrey Thomas conducts the ABS period-instrument orchestra, the acclaimed American Bach Choir, and soloists Mary Wilson, soprano; Eric Jurenas, countertenor; Wesley Rogers, tenor; and Jesse Blumberg, baritone, in the Foundling Hospital version (1753) of Handel’s most famous work.
3 PM
Weill Hall, Green Music Center
Sonoma State University
1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park
Tickets, 866-955-6040
A Chanticleer Christmas
The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to traditional carols, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” (Chanticleer’s most requested Christmas selection), and Chanticleer’s traditional medley of spirituals.
8 PM
St. Ignatius Church
650 Parker St., San Francisco.
$35–$69
Tickets, 415-392-4400
Musica Pacifica
“A Baroque Holiday Concert” A popular program of baroque gems visits the major artistic centers of Europe and samples the musical forms of the 17th and 18th centuries with works by Handel, Biber, Telemann, Rameau, Gabrielli, Vivaldi, and Bach. With guest artists Ingrid Matthews, violin; Michael Dupree, oboe; and Tanya Tomkins, cello. This concert benefits Kohl for Kids programs, serving 5,000+ children and youth annually.
7 PM
Music at Kohl Mansion
2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame
$60 ($50 each for two or more tickets)
Tickets
San Francisco Early Music Society presents Magnificat, Warren Stewart, Director
“Cavalli, Mass for Christmas” One of his grandest and most celebratory works, Francesco Cavalli’s elaborate concertato Mass setting is taken from his retrospective collection, Musiche sacre (1656). The work is brilliant, festive, joyous, and rich in the instrumental colors of strings and brass for which Venetian music was renowned. Cavalli’s mass will be presented in full liturgical context, interspersed with motets and sonatas by Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Gabrieli and others, as well as the antiphons and other Gregorian chant appropriate for the feast day, in a complete musical reenactment of the third mass for Christmas day, as it might have been celebrated 350 years ago. With Clara Rottsolk and Jennifer Paulino, soprano; Andrew Rader and Clifton Massey, alto; Christopher LeCluyse, and Dan Hutchings, tenor; Peter Becker, bass; Rob Diggins and Jolianne von Einem, violin; Richard Van Hessel, Erik Schmalz and Mack Ramsey, sackbut; John Dornenburg, violone; and Yuko Tanaka, organ. Read more…
4 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell Street, at Gough, San Francisco
General $35, Seniors $32, SFEMS Members $30, Students $12
Tickets, 510-528-1725
Sing-Along Messiah
Come sing the glorious choruses of G.F. Handel’s Messiah, together with a professional orchestra. A long-time (we’ve lost count) Bay Area tradition! With soloists Marcelle Dronkers, soprano; Meghan Dibble, mezzo-soprano; Rod Lowe, tenor; Barry Zuckerman and Richard Fey, baritone; Orchestra and soloists conducted by Bryan Baker
6 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley
1 Lawson Road, Kensington
$15; $10 for students. Scores available ($10 deposit)
Tickets, 510-525-0302
Information: [email protected]
