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CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: December 16 – 22

By Hye Won Cecilia Lee on December 16, 2024

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

This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between December 16 and 23, 2024. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.

Orpheus Choir of Toronto: A Ceremony of Carols

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

Written in the brutality of war in 1942 on a 5-weeks ship voyage from New York back to England, Britten is poignant in his contemplation on the dire need for the arrival of saviour in treacherous times. Instead of cheerful jollity, the cycle has many dark moments, focusing on the rebirth post-death, post-winter, and struggle between good and evil — especially in ‘This Little Babe’: ‘…With tears he fights and wins the field, His naked breast stands for a shield; His battering shot are babish cries, His arrows looks of weeping eyes, His martial ensigns Cold and Need, And feeble Flesh his warrior’s steed.’ As we get ready to celebrate the end of 2024, sadly, some things have not changed since the WW2 — wars raging, the poor suffering, tears flowing. Come and listen to this amazing austere setting of the babe saviour, from a darker, humanistic perspective, with superb artistry of Orpheus Choir of Toronto with sparse accompaniment of the harp. Reena Esmail’s Winter Breviary and additional Christmas and Chanukah tunes complete the evening. Info 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 Hall, $64+

If you wanted your seasonal Messiah with a huge choir (125+ for these runs), ringing through the building, this is the one to come to. Covering the favourite numbers from all three books, immerse yourself into the night of great storytelling. Soloists Sherezade Panthaki, Nicholas Burns, James Ley, and Enrico Lagasca, will be well-supported by this superb large choral group, and the TSO. Jean-Sébastien Vallée conducts. With five performances, surely, you can make it to one! Info 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 children under age 12

Voices Chamber Choir under direction of Ron Chung has been busy presenting high-calibre performances in Toronto since 1996, and for their 28th Christmas concert, Voices are presenting one of the best French baroque Christmas works: Messe de minuit pour Noël. It may seem bizarre initially that Charpentier, one of the very best of the French Baroque composers, is so rarely heard in Toronto — but considering the musical finesse and sensitivity required, it is no wonder that many shy away from performing it. So here’s your chance to experience the high French Baroque glory, with all its golden curly edges. Info here.

Array Music: Playscape Emporium: Of Dances and Dreams

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

If you are tired of the seasonal bangers, here’s something quite different. Duo Cichorium (Jasmine Tsui and Louis Pino), curators at Array Music (2024-2027), are in charge of six concerts: Cichorium’s Playscape Emporium, and for this edition, they are bringing all the bells and whistles, as Angela Blumberg Dance Company, teething — a six-member improvisation ensemble — and visual artist JEIA join them on this evening of possibilities. If contemporary music makes you feel a bit uneasy, this IS the concert you should come to! There is no obligation to endure, but if you simply choose not to try new music out, you just could be missing out on the new favourite thing. It’s important to remember that simplest things, like boiled peas, require repeated exposure for a toddler to make their mind up — experts say, on average, 7 tries. We are often quite open, even excited to try out a new fashion style, a drink, or a snack. Remember getting that radical haircut? A new lipstick? Why should we stop experimenting and exploring when it comes to the arts? No answer is required. Do come out and see what is happening, in our own time, in our own city, from these creative minds. Info here.

Choir! Choir! Choir!: Un-Silent Night

Saturday, December 21, 2 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Massey Hall, $57.30

This amazing group, led by Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman (aka Dabu), have been running C!C!C! since 2011, and their events are so fun- and it is open to you! Yes, you! Do come and take that invitation to participate — let your guard down, and sing along. Mixing singing, arts, comedy, and community spirit, their shows usually sell out- no wonder, as true inclusivity and openness is quite rare in this, ahem, serious (classical) musical world. Come out, and feel that freedom of singing, with your friends, and soon-to-be-friends, in this time of reflection and sharing. Info here.

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Sing-Along Messiah

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

If you didn’t get your tickets for Tafel’s Messiah at Koerner Hall (Friday, Dec 20; Saturday, Dec 21), it’s probably too late — it is officially sold out. You could hang your hope on the last minute rush tickets (as there’s always a few who cannot make it to the event last minute) — either apply to be put on the waiting list, or call the box office at 4:30 p.m. to see if there’s anything available on the day of the performance, or hurry up and get a seat for the Messiah sing-along! The superb soloists from Friday and Saturday will join you, yes, you, as we all sing our hearts out on these favourite tunes. Mr. Handel, in spectacular, hand-made costume, will lead you through this dramatic take on nativity story and salvation. Get your tickets now though, it is selling super fast. Info here.

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