Monday, December 16
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The joy of Christmas comes once again to Chanticleer, as we celebrate this age-old narrative with what we hope are fresh eyes and ears, hearts and voices. Gregorian chant and Biebl are never far away, but this year we turn also to carols in half-a-dozen different languages, American hymns, Spanish villancicos that ask us to dance, and “I Wonder as I Wander,” which calls us to pray. Our musical “Christmas crèche” has as its center the holy family, of course, featuring music of Hassler and Praetorius, Victoria and Morales. Completing the picture are shepherds, twittering angels, curious donkeys, some very wise men and you, our faithful audience. This is a tradition we cherish, and we can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with you again.
8 PM
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
1017 11th Street, Sacramento
$35–$79
Tickets online
Wednesday, December 18
Early Music Open Mic Night
Join us for Early Music Open Mic Night in the East Bay, 4th Wednesday of every month. This is your opportunity to perform early music in a friendly cabaret style setting. Instrumentalists, singers, soloists, groups, students, youngsters, professionals — all are welcome! Please email [email protected] with the date you’d like to perform. Time slots will be up to 15 minutes, and there will be six time slots on each night. A harpsichord as well as a piano will be available on site. Food and drinks will be provided.
7–9:30 PM
Hillside Community Church,
1422 Navellier Street, El Cerrito
Donations gratefully accepted
[email protected]
San Francisco Recorder Society
Monthly playing session with conductor Tish Berlin. New members and guests welcome.
7:30–9:30 PM
Christ Church Lutheran
1090 Quintara St. (at 20th Ave.), San Francisco.
Non-members are asked for a $10 playing fee per session which can be applied to the $50 annual chapter membership fee.
For more information contact [email protected]; http://arssanfrancisco.org
Thursday, December 19
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The joy of Christmas comes once again to Chanticleer, as we celebrate this age-old narrative with what we hope are fresh eyes and ears, hearts and voices. Gregorian chant and Biebl are never far away, but this year we turn also to carols in half-a-dozen different languages, American hymns, Spanish villancicos that ask us to dance, and “I Wonder as I Wander,” which calls us to pray. Our musical “Christmas crèche” has as its center the holy family, of course, featuring music of Hassler and Praetorius, Victoria and Morales. Completing the picture are shepherds, twittering angels, curious donkeys, some very wise men and you, our faithful audience. This is a tradition we cherish, and we can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with you again.
6 PM and 8:30 PM Performances
Mission Santa Clara
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
$35–$79
Tickets online
Voices of Music
“Virtuoso Aria and Concerto Holiday Celebration” features music by Handel, Locatelli, Platti and Vivaldi. Celebrate the holidays and join Voices of Music for a festive evening. Direct from London, countertenor sensation Christopher Lowrey returns to sing dramatic arias of Handel. Alana Youssefian brings her exciting virtuosity to the Harmonic Labyrinth violin concerto by Pietro Locatelli, and William Skeen will dazzle us with a wonderful cello concerto by Giovanni Benedetto Platti. Baroque violinst Rachell Wong makes her Voices of Music debut. With Christopher Lowrey, countertenor; Lisa Grodin, Kati Kyme, Carla Moore, Maxine Nemerovski, Rachell Wong, and Alana Youssefian, baroque violins; Maria Caswell and Cynthia Black, baroque viola; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer and William Skeen, baroque cello; Farley Pearce, violone; Hanneke van Proosdij, harpsichord; and David Tayler, archlute.
8 PM
Tateuchi Hall, Community School of Music and Arts
230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View
$50 Adult, $45 Senior/SFEMS/EMA/ARS. Full-time student: $5
Tickets online
Saturday, December 21
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The joy of Christmas comes once again to Chanticleer, as we celebrate this age-old narrative with what we hope are fresh eyes and ears, hearts and voices. Gregorian chant and Biebl are never far away, but this year we turn also to carols in half-a-dozen different languages, American hymns, Spanish villancicos that ask us to dance, and “I Wonder as I Wander,” which calls us to pray. Our musical “Christmas crèche” has as its center the holy family, of course, featuring music of Hassler and Praetorius, Victoria and Morales. Completing the picture are shepherds, twittering angels, curious donkeys, some very wise men and you, our faithful audience. This is a tradition we cherish, and we can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with you again.
8:15 PM
Cathedral of Christ the Light
2121 Harrison Street, Oakland
$35–$79
Tickets online
St. Mary Magdalen Church
“Les Fils Médiévaux” A concert of medieval music celebrating the Virgin Mother and Child Savior: 13th–15th-century music from France and Spain, including works from the Cantigas de Santa Maria, the Llibre Vermell, the Roman de Fauvel, and works by Guillaume Dufay, Gilles Binchois, Antoine Busnois, Philippe de Vitry, and Juan de Anchieta. Featuring the Schola Magdalena, with Letitia Berlin and Francis Blaker, recorders; Roy Whelden, vielle; Amy Brodo, viola da gamba; Cheryl Ann Fulton, harps; Andy Canepa, conductor and percussion. Pre-concert lecture by John Prescott.
8 PM Pre-concert lecture at 7:30
St. Mary Magdalen Church
2005 Berryman St., Berkeley
Tickets range from $15–$35
Discounted Advance Tickets
San Francisco Renaissance Voices
A Festival of Lessons & Carols. We join our host as Artists-in-Residence, The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in San Francisco, for our annual Festival of Lessons & Carols as we re-create the service that originated in 1918 at King’s College (England) celebrating the season as well as the end of World War I. Featured will be a variety of motets and carols, including William Billings “A Virgin Unspotted,” Harrison Hackett’s “Sir Christemas,” John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music” with Angela Kraft Cross’ “Slumber Song,” as well as a specially commissioned work by Bay Area composer Emily Shisko. And as always, there will be plenty of carols for you to sing along with us. Not only is it a free event but one of our most popular offerings, so be sure to come early to get a good seat – don’t miss it! (Note: Reservations are requested as this was a standing room only event last year.) Come join us in celebrating the joy and the mystery of Advent with the San Francisco Renaissance Voices, in a candlelight service of Advent and Christmas carols. You will have lots of opportunity to sing and enjoy both familiar and not so familiar carols. This is a fun event for the entire family. A free reception follows the service.
4 PM
Episcopal Church of the Incarnation
1750 29th Avenue, San Francisco
Free Admission. Donations Requested.
Limited seating. Register online.
Voices of Music
“Virtuoso Aria and Concerto Holiday Celebration” features music by Handel, Locatelli, Platti and Vivaldi. Celebrate the holidays and join Voices of Music for a festive evening. Direct from London, countertenor sensation Christopher Lowrey returns to sing dramatic arias of Handel. Alana Youssefian brings her exciting virtuosity to the Harmonic Labyrinth violin concerto by Pietro Locatelli, and William Skeen will dazzle us with a wonderful cello concerto by Giovanni Benedetto Platti. Baroque violinst Rachell Wong makes her Voices of Music debut. With Christopher Lowrey, countertenor; Lisa Grodin, Kati Kyme, Carla Moore, Maxine Nemerovski, Rachell Wong, and Alana Youssefian, baroque violins; Maria Caswell and Cynthia Black, baroque viola; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer and William Skeen, baroque cello; Farley Pearce, violone; Hanneke van Proosdij, harpsichord; and David Tayler, archlute.
8 PM
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell Street (at Franklin), San Francisco
$50 Adult, $45 Senior/SFEMS/EMA/ARS. Full-time student: $5
Tickets online
Sunday, December 22
Chanticleer
“A Chanticleer Christmas” The joy of Christmas comes once again to Chanticleer, as we celebrate this age-old narrative with what we hope are fresh eyes and ears, hearts and voices. Gregorian chant and Biebl are never far away, but this year we turn also to carols in half-a-dozen different languages, American hymns, Spanish villancicos that ask us to dance, and “I Wonder as I Wander,” which calls us to pray. Our musical “Christmas crèche” has as its center the holy family, of course, featuring music of Hassler and Praetorius, Victoria and Morales. Completing the picture are shepherds, twittering angels, curious donkeys, some very wise men and you, our faithful audience. This is a tradition we cherish, and we can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with you again.
8 PM
St. Ignatius Church
650 Parker Avenue, San Francisco
$35–$79
Tickets online
Voices of Music
“Virtuoso Aria and Concerto Holiday Celebration” features music by Handel, Locatelli, Platti and Vivaldi. Celebrate the holidays and join Voices of Music for a festive evening. Direct from London, countertenor sensation Christopher Lowrey returns to sing dramatic arias of Handel. Alana Youssefian brings her exciting virtuosity to the Harmonic Labyrinth violin concerto by Pietro Locatelli, and William Skeen will dazzle us with a wonderful cello concerto by Giovanni Benedetto Platti. Baroque violinst Rachell Wong makes her Voices of Music debut. With Christopher Lowrey, countertenor; Lisa Grodin, Kati Kyme, Carla Moore, Maxine Nemerovski, Rachell Wong, and Alana Youssefian, baroque violins; Maria Caswell and Cynthia Black, baroque viola; Adaiha MacAdam-Somer and William Skeen, baroque cello; Farley Pearce, violone; Hanneke van Proosdij, harpsichord; and David Tayler, archlute.
5 PM
First Congregational Church
2345 Channing Way (entrance on Dana), Berkeley
$50 Adult, $45 Senior/SFEMS/EMA/ARS. Full-time student: $5
Tickets online
