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CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Occasions You Completely Want To See This Week: December 16 – 22


L-R (clockwise): Tafelmusik Sing-Alongside Messiah with Herr Handel (Picture courtesy of Tafelmusik); Duo Cichorium (Picture courtesy of the artists); Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (Picture courtesy of the artists)

It is a listing of live shows we’re attending, wishing we may attend, or interested by attending between December 16 and 23, 2024. For extra of what’s occurring round Toronto, go to our calendar right here.

Orpheus Choir of Toronto: A Ceremony of Carols

Tuesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.
Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Ave., $25+

Written within the brutality of conflict in 1942 on a 5-weeks ship voyage from New York again to England, Britten is poignant in his contemplation on the dire want for the arrival of saviour in treacherous instances. As an alternative of cheerful jollity, the cycle has many darkish moments, specializing in the rebirth post-death, post-winter, and battle between good and evil — particularly in ‘This Little Babe’: ‘…With tears he fights and wins the sector, His bare breast stands for a defend; His battering shot are babish cries, His arrows appears of weeping eyes, His martial ensigns Chilly and Want, And feeble Flesh his warrior’s steed.’ As we get able to have fun the tip of 2024, sadly, some issues haven’t modified for the reason that WW2 — wars raging, the poor struggling, tears flowing. Come and hearken to this wonderful austere setting of the babe saviour, from a darker, humanistic perspective, with excellent artistry of Orpheus Choir of Toronto with sparse accompaniment of the harp. Reena Esmail’s Winter Breviary and extra Christmas and Chanukah tunes full the night. Information right here.

Toronto Symphony and Toronto Mendelssohn Choir: Messiah

Tuesday, December 17, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, December 18, 8 p.m.; Friday, December 20, 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 21, 8 p.m.; Sunday, December 22, 3 p.m.
Roy Thomson Corridor, $64+

Should you wished your seasonal Messiah with an enormous choir (125+ for these runs), ringing by the constructing, that is the one to come back to. Protecting the favorite numbers from all three books, immerse your self into the night time of nice storytelling. Soloists Sherezade Panthaki, Nicholas Burns, James Ley, and Enrico Lagasca, will probably be well-supported by this excellent giant choral group, and the TSO. Jean-Sébastien Vallée conducts. With 5 performances, absolutely, you may make it to 1! Information right here.

Voices Chamber Choir: Joyeux Noël

Wednesday, December 18, 8 p.m.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, 151 Glenlake Ave., $20+, Free for kids beneath age 12

Voices Chamber Choir beneath course of Ron Chung has been busy presenting high-calibre performances in Toronto since 1996, and for his or her twenty eighth Christmas live performance, Voices are presenting among the best French baroque Christmas works: Messe de minuit pour Noël. It could appear weird initially that Charpentier, one of many perfect of the French Baroque composers, is so hardly ever heard in Toronto — however contemplating the musical finesse and sensitivity required, it’s no marvel that many draw back from performing it. So right here’s your likelihood to expertise the excessive French Baroque glory, with all its golden curly edges. Information right here.

Array Music: Playscape Emporium: Of Dances and Desires

Thursday, December 19, 7:30 p.m.
Array Area,155 Walnut Ave, $20, Pay-what-you-can out there

If you’re uninterested in the seasonal bangers, right here’s one thing fairly totally different. Duo Cichorium (Jasmine Tsui and Louis Pino), curators at Array Music (2024-2027), are accountable for six live shows: Cichorium’s Playscape Emporium, and for this version, they’re bringing all of the bells and whistles, as Angela Blumberg Dance Firm, teething — a six-member improvisation ensemble — and visible artist JEIA be part of them on this night of potentialities. If modern music makes you are feeling a bit uneasy, this IS the live performance you must come to! There is no such thing as a obligation to endure, however if you happen to merely select to not attempt new music out, you simply may very well be lacking out on the brand new favorite factor. It’s necessary to keep in mind that easiest issues, like boiled peas, require repeated publicity for a toddler to make their thoughts up — consultants say, on common, 7 tries. We are sometimes fairly open, even excited to check out a brand new trend model, a drink, or a snack. Bear in mind getting that radical haircut? A brand new lipstick? Why ought to we cease experimenting and exploring in the case of the humanities? No reply is required. Do come out and see what is occurring, in our personal time, in our personal metropolis, from these inventive minds. Information right here.

Choir! Choir! Choir!: Un-Silent Evening

Saturday, December 21, 2 p.m., and eight p.m.
Massey Corridor, $57.30

This wonderful group, led by Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman (aka Dabu), have been working C!C!C! since 2011, and their occasions are so fun- and it’s open to you! Sure, you! Do come and take that invitation to take part — let your guard down, and sing alongside. Mixing singing, arts, comedy, and neighborhood spirit, their exhibits normally promote out- no marvel, as true inclusivity and openness is sort of uncommon on this, ahem, severe (classical) musical world. Come out, and really feel that freedom of singing, with your mates, and soon-to-be-friends, on this time of reflection and sharing. Information right here.

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Sing-Alongside Messiah

Sunday, December 22, 2 p.m.
Massey Corridor, $59.70

Should you didn’t get your tickets for Tafel’s Messiah at Koerner Corridor (Friday, Dec 20; Saturday, Dec 21), it’s in all probability too late — it’s formally offered out. You can grasp your hope on the final minute rush tickets (as there’s at all times a couple of who can not make it to the occasion final minute) — both apply to be placed on the ready listing, or name the field workplace at 4:30 p.m. to see if there’s something out there on the day of the efficiency, or hurry up and get a seat for the Messiah sing-along! The excellent soloists from Friday and Saturday will be part of you, sure, you, as all of us sing our hearts out on these favorite tunes. Mr. Handel, in spectacular, hand-made costume, will lead you thru this dramatic tackle nativity story and salvation. Get your tickets now although, it’s promoting tremendous quick. Information right here.

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