Tuesday, December 6
KDFC and Philharmonia Baroque
“PBO Sessions: Handel’s Joshua” PBO SESSIONS is an entirely new concert experience that takes you on a guided tour of works by great composers. No experience necessary! It’s 90 minutes of incredible classical music like you’ve never experienced before – lively, interactive and fascinating. This program will explore the context and history behind Handel’s beloved oratorio complete with multimedia enhancements. Led by Bruce Lamott, Philharmonia’s Chorale Director and professor of Music History at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, in conversation with KDFC’s Hoyt Smith, PBO SESSIONS will include performances by the Chorale and high-profile guest artists who will also be featured in the concert set. After the concert, audience members are always invited to ask questions and meet with the musicians at a complimentary wine reception. Presented By Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale And Classical KDFC In Association With Arts & Ideas At The Jewish Community Center Of San Francisco.
8 PM
San Francisco Jewish Community Center
3200 California St., San Francisco
$25
tickets online or 415-252-1288
Sacramento Recorder Society
Regular meeting for recorder players, with guest conductor Jerry Schwartz. Newcomers welcome. Bring recorders, stand, and other early instruments. Music provided. Refreshments.
6:45–9:30 PM
Friends Meeting House
890 57th St., between H and J, Sacramento.
sacrecorders.wordpress.com
Friday, December 9
SFEMS presents Archetti with Kathryn Aducci, Baroque Trumpet, and Clara Rottsalk, Soprano
“Concerti per il Santissimo Natale—Baroque Christmas Music for Soprano, Trumpet, and Strings” Archetti Baroque String Ensemble (Carla Moore, Anthony Martin, Linda Quan, Laura Rubenstein-Salzedo, violins; Aaron Westman, viola; Elisabeth Reed, cello; John Dornenburg, violone; Davitt Moroney, harpsichord) with Kathryn Adduci, trumpet; and Clara Rottsolk, soprano, perform a festive program of holiday music. Colorful baroque concerti and cantatas by Handel, A. Scarlatti, Telemann, J.S. Bach, Torelli, and Manfredini celebrate the joy of the season with sparkle and variety. Program highlights include Handel’s Let the bright Seraphim, Bach’s Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, and a brilliant Concerto for Trumpet, Violin, Cello and Strings by Telemann. Read more . . .
8 PM
First Presbyterian Church
1140 Cowper Street at Lincoln, Palo Alto
Tickets: General $40, Seniors $36, SFEMS Members $34, Students $12
Tickets online or 510-528-1725
Saturday, December 10
American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, Director
George Frideric Handel, Messiah. Messiah was originally written for Easter services, and at a time when Handel was at the height of his powers and popularity. Upon its debut in April of 1742, the oratorio was so popular that ladies were asked to leave their hoop skirts at home so more people could fit into the concert hall. Though tradition has evolved to stage Messiah at Christmas time, audiences continue to pack houses for the masterwork, especially when the acclaimed American Bach Soloists come to town. This bi-annual tradition at the Mondavi Center returns, under the baton of UC Davis professor and early-music scholar Jeffrey Thomas. With soloists Hélène Brunet, soprano; Emily Marvosh, contralto; Derek Chester, tenor; and Mischa Bouvier, baritone.
7 PM
Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
One Shields Avenue, Davis
Tickets start at $27. Discounts for youth, students, and active military.
Tickets online or 530-754-2787
Cal Performances presents the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Julian Wachner, Conductor
Returning to Berkeley after an “enthralling performance” (San Francisco Classical Voice) at the 2014 Berkeley Festival, the Choir of Trinity Wall Street is among New York’s most prized musical treasures, its holiday season concerts of Handel’s Messiah topping critics’ picks every year. Led by charismatic conductor Julian Wachner, the choir and its sister ensemble, the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, have a special relationship to the work, having presented its first performance in North America in 1770.
8 PM
Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley Campus.
Tickets $56 and up
Tickets online or 510-642-9988
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works old, new, and familiar. Nanino, Byrd, Praetorious, Gabrieli, Villette and Poulenc are among the composers who wrote of what happened at the manger; Joseph Jennings, Robert Shaw, Alice Parker and Robert de Cormier are among those who have made beloved arrangements of popular carols and songs. Seasonal anthems and carols by Americans from Billings to Ives to Steven Sametz will make for a classically rich and resplendent Chanticleer Christmas.
8:15 PM
Cathedral of Christ the Light
2121 Harrison Street, Oakland
$35–$75
Tickets online
SFEMS presents Archetti with Kathryn Aducci, Baroque Trumpet, and Clara Rottsalk, Soprano
“Concerti per il Santissimo Natale—Baroque Christmas Music for Soprano, Trumpet, and Strings” Archetti Baroque String Ensemble (Carla Moore, Anthony Martin, Linda Quan, Laura Rubenstein-Salzedo, violins; Aaron Westman, viola; Elisabeth Reed, cello; John Dornenburg, violone; Davitt Moroney, harpsichord) with Kathryn Adduci, trumpet; and Clara Rottsolk, soprano, perform a festive program of holiday music. Colorful baroque concerti and cantatas by Handel, A. Scarlatti, Telemann, J.S. Bach, Torelli, and Manfredini celebrate the joy of the season with sparkle and variety. Program highlights include Handel’s Let the bright Seraphim, Bach’s Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, and a brilliant Concerto for Trumpet, Violin, Cello and Strings by Telemann. Read more . . .
7:30 PM
St. John’s Presbyterian Church
2727 College Ave at Garber, Berkeley
Tickets: General $40, Seniors $36, SFEMS Members $34, Students $12
Tickets online or 510-528-1725
San Francisco Renaissance Voices, Katherine McKee, Music Director
Fourth 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. We again honor a tradition of the festival and will debut a commissioned carol by Bay Area composer Angela Kraft Cross, using text by Bay Area poet Elisabeth Eliassen. 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
Second Saturday Chamber Music Series
“Welcoming the Stranger, a Choral Christmas Concert” The 11:00 AM Schola Magdalene with the Renaissance Wind Ensemble La Marina, a baroque string ensemble, and Richard Savino, baroque guitar, perform Renaissance and medieval Music from Spain and baroque music from the New World.
7:30 PM
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman St., Berkeley
$10 Gourmet Buffet and Drinks from 6:30–7:30 PM in Norton Hall
Tickets at the door: $25/general $15/students over 18 Children under 18 are free
Save Money and buy your tickets in advance: $20/General $10/Students
Viola da Gamba Society/Pacifica Chapter
Monthly viol consort playing with guest coach Mary Springfels. Players of all levels welcome. Newcomers please email ahead.
9 AM–3 PM
Hillside Church
1422 Navellier Street, El Cerrito
RSVP. Please email [email protected]
Sunday, December 11
Alameda’s 22nd Annual Sing-It-Yourself Messiah
Alameda’s 22nd Annual Sing-It-Yourself Messiah will be hosted this year by St. Joseph Basilica. We will be presenting the Christmas section, “The Trumpet Shall Sound,” and (of course) the “Hallelujah Chorus” of George Frideric Handel’s Oratorio, with chamber orchestra, harpsichord, soloists, organ, and of course with a Sing-It-Yourself chorus! Come sing with us! or come listen! Everyone is welcome, so come and renew your acquaintance with this inspirational music. Please bring a copy of the Messiah if you have one. There will be a limited number of scores available “on-loan” if you don’t. Admission is free, and everyone is—this event is open and welcoming to all, of any (or no) religious orientation. Those who wish to can give a free-will offering to help offset the expenses of the event; we gladly accept donations towards expenses, but donations are not required! If you can, bring a canned or dry food item, we’ll have a barrel for the Alameda Food Bank.
3 PM
St. Joseph Basilica
1109 Chestnut Street (just off the corner of Encinal), Alameda
Free
510-522-0181
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The 12-member a cappella vocal ensemble performs seasonal works old, new, and familiar. Nanino, Byrd, Praetorious, Gabrieli, Villette and Poulenc are among the composers who wrote of what happened at the manger; Joseph Jennings, Robert Shaw, Alice Parker and Robert de Cormier are among those who have made beloved arrangements of popular carols and songs. Seasonal anthems and carols by Americans from Billings to Ives to Steven Sametz will make for a classically rich and resplendent Chanticleer Christmas.
5 PM and 7:30 PM performances
St. Vincent’s Church
35 Liberty St., Petaluma
$35–$75
5 PM Tickets online or 415-392-4400
7:30 PM Tickets online or 415-392-4400
Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra, Frederic Palmer, Director 
The Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra performs its annual mid-winter concert. The program will feature the canzona La Spiritata by Giovanni Gabrieli; three settings of the Renaissance melody Fortuna Desperata; an instrumental arrangement of the popular French song La Mer with Jay Kreuzer, harmonica; a movement from Vivaldi’s Concerto RV 531 with Gregor Dairaghi and Hilary Port soloists; and the suite La Joie by Georg Philipp Telemann. The location of this concert is wheelchair accessible. The Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra is an affiliate of the San Francisco Early Music Society.
2:30 PM
Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverley Street, Palo Alto
Free
For further information please see the orchestra’s web page at http://mpro-online.org/ or call Frederic Palmer at 650-591-3648.
SFEMS presents Archetti with Kathryn Aducci, Baroque Trumpet, and Clara Rottsalk, Soprano
“Concerti per il Santissimo Natale—Baroque Christmas Music for Soprano, Trumpet, and Strings” Archetti Baroque String Ensemble (Carla Moore, Anthony Martin, Linda Quan, Laura Rubenstein-Salzedo, violins; Aaron Westman, viola; Elisabeth Reed, cello; John Dornenburg, violone; Davitt Moroney, harpsichord) with Kathryn Adduci, trumpet; and Clara Rottsolk, soprano, perform a festive program of holiday music. Colorful baroque concerti and cantatas by Handel, A. Scarlatti, Telemann, J.S. Bach, Torelli, and Manfredini celebrate the joy of the season with sparkle and variety. Program highlights include Handel’s Let the bright Seraphim, Bach’s Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, and a brilliant Concerto for Trumpet, Violin, Cello and Strings by Telemann. Read more . . .
4 PM
First Unitarian Universalist Church
1187 Franklin St, San Francisco
Tickets: General $40, Seniors $36, SFEMS Members $34, Students $12
Tickets online or 510-528-1725
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
