December is holiday concerts, early music, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” “Nutcracker,” carols and lots of Handel's “Messiah.” The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor Robert Spano, leads off with a program of Vaughan-Williams and Mozart.
Here’s the countdown:
Cincinnati Ballet
"The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Carmon DeLeone, conductor
Dec. 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 -- 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21 and 28 -- 2 p.m.
Dec. 22 and 29 -- 1 p.m.
Dec. 22 and 29 -- 5 p.m.
Aronoff Center
Cincinnati Ballet's annual "Nutcracker" is accompanied by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conducted by Carmon DeLeone. Choreography is by Victoria Morgan. Take a walk across the stage afterwards to see the sets, costumes and dancers up close. Tickets $32-$89 at (513) 621-5282, or online at www.cballet.org
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Jack Broad, guitar
Dec. 27 -- 9 p.m. to midnight
Washington Platform restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown
Appearing at Washington Platform
this week will be guitarist Jack Broad. Joining him will be Rusty Birge on vibes, Michael Sharfe on bass and Tony Franklin on drums. Hear original compositions as well as rarely heard tunes like "Hopscotch, "Reincarnation of a Lovebird," "The Oracle," "Boo Boo's Birthday," "The Whopper" and "Ralph's Piano Waltz." No cover. $10 food
and drink
minimum. Kitchen open 8:30-11 p.m. Bar open until midnight. Call (513)
421-0110
for reservations.
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
New Year's Eve 2013: "The Big Easy"
John Morris Russell, conductor
Dec. 31 -- 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall
The CSO led by John Morris Russell ushers in 2014 New Orleans style with jazzy big band favorites a la Preservation Hall. Hear trumpeter Byron Stripling in Dixieland and a tribute to Louis Armstrong, with hits like "Ain’t Misbehavin’," "Basin Street Blues" and "When the Saints Go Marching In!" Tickets begin at $12. Call (513) 381-3300, or visit www.cincinnatisymphony.org For information about the ball afterward in the Music Hall Ballroom, visit www.cincinnatisymphony.org
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Events below this line have taken place_________________________________________________________________________________
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano, guest conductor
Jeremy Denk, piano
Dec. 6 -- 11 a.m.
Dec. 7 -- 8 p.m.
Music Hall
Guest conductor Robert Spano leads the CSO in music by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Mozart. Soloist in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25 is Jeremy Denk. Also on the program are Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and his Symphony No. 2 ("London Symphony"). Tickets begin at $12. Call (513) 381-3300 or visit www.cincinnatisymphony.org
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Christmas Saengerfest in Over-the-Rhine
Dec. 6 -- 6-10 p.m.
Dec. 7 -- 5-10 p.m.
multiple venues
Over the Rhine
Hear 14 choirs in five venues in Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine during this two-day event sponsored by American Legacy Tours. In addition to the music, enjoy beer from Christian Moerlein, food from Taste of Belgium and Servatii’s, shop at the holiday market, tour the churches and the brewery. Tickets are $20 per day, available the day of the event at Memorial Hall. Details at www.christmassaengerfest.com/
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Postponed due to weather
Holiday on the Hill
MYCincinnati Wolfgang Orchestra
Dec. 6 -- 6:30 p.m.
Seton High School
3901 Glenway Ave.
The MYCincinnati (Music for Youth in Cincinnati) Wolfgang Orchestra performs as part of "Holiday on the Hill" in Price Hill. Admission is free. Information at www.mycincinnatiorchestra.org
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Mike Wade, trumpet
Dec. 6 -- 9 p.m. to midnight
Washington Platform restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown
Appearing at Washington Platform
this week will be jazz trumpeter Mike Wade, with Melvin Broach on drums, Phil DeGreg, piano and Michael Sharfe, bass. No cover. $10 food
and drink
minimum. Kitchen open 8:30-11 p.m. Bar open until midnight. Call (513)
421-0110
for reservations.
Catacoustic Consort
"Orpheus' Lyre"
Dec. 7 -- 7:30 p.m.
Indian Hill Church
6000 Drake Rd.
Indian Hill
Hear music of 17th-century England featuring the lyra viol,
a type of bass viola da gamba specially adapted for the performance of
polyphonic music (more than one voice played simultaneously). Performing
music by John Maynard, John Jenkins, George Loosemore, Robert Jones, Christopher Simpson, George Hudson and John Maynard will be Annalisa Pappano on lyra viol, Julie Jeffrey on bass viol, Joanna Blendulf on treble viol and David Walker on lute and theorbo, with vocal soloists Jonathan Cooper, bass, and Amanda Carmen Bower, soprano. Tickets are $25, $10 for students, children 12 and under free. Call (513) 772-3242, or visit www.catacoustic.com
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
"Feast of Carols"
Dec. 7 -- 5 p.m.
Dec. 8 -- 2 and 5 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
CCM
presents its annual "Feast of Carols" holiday celebration with the CCM
Chamber Choir and Chorale, UC Men's and Women's Choruses, Cincinnati
Children's Choir and CCM Concert Orchestra, with guest choirs from
Anderson, Lakota East and Mason High Schools. Conducting will be Earl
Rivers, Brett Scott, Marie Bucoy-Calavan, Michael Fuchs and Robyn Lana.
Tickets are $12, $6 for non-UC students, UC students free. Call (513)
556-4183, or order online at ccm.uc.edu
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"Messiah" by George Frederic Handel, part I
Helmut Roehrig, conductor
Dec. 8 -- 3 p.m.
Our Lord Christ the King Church
Linwood Ave. and Ellison Rd.
Mt. Lookout
The Musica Sacra chorus and orchestra led by Helmut Roehrig presents part I of Handel's "Messiah" and psalms and motets of the season. Free will offering. Information at www.musica-sacra.org
______________________________________________________________________________Cincinnati Boychoir
Carol sing and silent auction
Dec. 8 -- 4 p.m.
Faith United Methodist Church
8230 Cox Rd.
West Chester
Sip hot chocolate and sing along to favorite carols, then browse Cincinnati Boychoir's annual silent auction. Proceed benefit the choir's scholarship and touring fund. Tickets $5, $15 for families of three or more, available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/477698
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Bach Vespers at St. Thomas
Cincinnati Viol Consort
Cincinnati Bach Ensemble
Dec. 8 -- 6 p.m.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Terrace Park
100 Miami Ave.
Terrace Park
The Bach Vespers series at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park continues with Bach Vespers for Advent. Performing "Music for Viols and Voices" will be the Cincinnati Viol Consort and the Cincinnati Bach Ensemble. Hear verse anthems by Gibbons, Cobbold and Tompkins. Admission is free. Information at the St. Thomas web site, www.stthomasepiscopal.org and bachvespers.wordpress.com
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Anna and Dmitri Shelest
Solo and duo piano recital
Dec. 8 -- 7 p.m.
Greaves Hall
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights
The
piano duo of Anna and Dmitri Shelest perform at their alma mater,
Northern Kentucky University. Program to include Gershwin's "Rhapsody in
Blue." Information at (859) 572-6399.
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Cincinnati Camerata
Marian Concert
Dec. 8 -- 7 p.m.
Mother of God Church
Covington, Kentucky
The vocal ensemble Cincinnati Camerata presents it annual Marian concert featuring sacred and secular music honoring the Virgin Mary. Entitled "Nigra sum, sed formosa" ("I am black, but beautiful," from the "Song of Songs"), this year's concert features music by Clausen, Vivaldi, Willan, Paulus, Palestrina, Poulenc, Balakirev, Tavener, MacIntyre, Busto and Rubbra. Suggested donation is $15 at the door, For further information, call (513) 941-5088, or visit www.cincinnaticamerata.com
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Society for the Preservation of Music Hall
"Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer"
Dec. 12 -- 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Music Hall Ballroom
Theater organist Walt Strony lends his touch to the Albee Theater's "Mighty Wurlitzer" in the Music Hall Ballroom for a program of holiday favorites. Joining him will be vocalist Mary Ellen Tanner. Admission is $25, $20 for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more. Call (513) 621-ARTS (2787) or order online at CincinnatiArts.org
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Trans-Siberian Orchestra
"The Lost Christmas Eve"
Dec. 13 -- 4 and 8 p.m.
U.S. Bank Arena
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents their popular rock opera "The Lost Christmas Eve." Tickets $33-$70.50 at www.usbankarena.com/events
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"Great Music in a Great Space"
The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge
Graham Ross, conductor
Dec. 13 -- 7:30 p.m.
St. Peter in Chains Cathedral
8th and Plum Streets
downtown
The "Great Music in a Great Space" series at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral presents the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, England in a program featuring traditional English carols, choral arrangements and a newly composed carol by John Rutter. Tickets are $38 in advance, $40 at the door, students $15 at the door. Call (513) 421-2222 or order online at www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org
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Cincinnati Boychoir
Elementz
Cincinnati Art Academy
Dec. 13 -- 7 p.m.
Dec. 15 -- 3 p.m.
Memorial Hall
The
Cincinnati Boychoir, performers from Elementz and visual artists from
the Cincinnati Art Academy present a reflection on the holiday season
through music, poetry, dance and visual art. Art and craft displays by
students from the Cincinnati Art Academy. Tickets are $15, $10 for
students and seniors. Available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/476583
Holiday Pops
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
John Morris Russell, conductor
Ann Hampton Callaway, vocalist
Dec. 13 and 14 -- 8 p.m.
Dec. 15 -- 2 p.m.
Music Hall
"JMR" leads the Cincinnati Pops in a holiday program featuring vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway, with dancers, choirs and Santa Claus. Tickets begin at $25. Call (5 13) 381-3300 or visit www.cincinnatipops.org
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Eugene Goss, vocalist
Dec. 13 -- 9 p.m. to midnight
Washington Platform restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown
Appearing at Washington Platform
this week will be jazz/world music vocalist Eugene Goss,
with William Minefield on piano, Michael Sharfe on bass and Melvin
(Jones) Broach on drums. No cover. $10 food
and drink
minimum. Kitchen open 8:30-11 p.m. Bar open until midnight. Call (513)
421-0110
for reservations.
Cincinnati Children's Choir
Robyn Lana, director
Holiday concert
Dec. 14 -- 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium
The
Cincinnati Children's Choir, including CCM resident choirs and
satellite choirs from across the tristate perform holiday songs from
around the globe. Tickets are $12, $6 for non-UC students, UC students free. Call (513) 556-4183, or order online at ccm.uc.edu_
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Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
"Yes, Virginia"
John Morris Russell, conductor
Dec. 14 -- 2 p.m.
Music Hall
The Cincinnati Pops led by conductor John Morris Russell presents the world concert premiere of Macy's "Yes, Virginia," starring Liz Callaway as Miriam, Norm Lewis as Mr. Church and Gracie Alexander as Virginia. Joshua Steele will perform the role of Scraggly Santa, with Aiden Hubbard as Ollie and Claire Northcut as Charlotte. This will be a semi-staged, fully orchestrated concert version of the musical, which was created by Macy's in 2012 as part of its annual holiday "Believe" campaign. Book and lyrics are by William Schermerhorn, with music by Wesley Whatley. Also participating will be the May Festival Youth Chorus, James Bagwell, director, and The Studio for Dance of Cincinnati, Shari Poff, director. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children, available by calling (513) 381-3300, or visit www.cincinnatipops.org
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Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra
William White, Isaac Selya, conductors
Isabella Geis, violin
Dec. 14 -- 7 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
The Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra presents its first concert of the season, led by
CSO assistant conductor/CSYO conductor William White and CSYO assistant
conductor Isaac Selya. Soloist in the first movement of the Violin
Concerto by Jean Sibelius will be Isabella Geis. Also on the program are
the world premiere of "iubilo" by Ty Niemeyer, a student at the
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in commemoration of the CSYO's 50th anniversary, Wagner's
"Rienzi" Overture and the Symphony No. 1 by Sibelius. Tickets are $10
and $8, available by calling (513) 381-3300, or online at
www.cincinnatisymphony.org/csyo
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Vocal Arts Ensemble
"A Candlelit Christmas"
Earl Rivers, director
Dec. 14 -- 7:30 p.m.
St. Boniface Church
1750 Chase Ave., Northside
Dec. 15 -- 5 p.m.
St. Francis De Sales Church
1600 Madison Rd., East Walnut Hills
The VAE's annual candlelight concert is led by director emeritus Earl Rivers in a program comprising settings of the Magnificat by Andrea Gabrieli, Cesar Cui and John Tavener, plus Three Nativity Carols by Stephen Paulus with the Cincinnati Children's Choir, directed by Robyn Lana. Tickets are $25 at (513) 381-3300 and www.vaecinci.org
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Music for All Seasons
Happy Holidays
Kimberly Daniel, vocalist
Dec. 15 -- 3 p.m.
Peterloon Estate
8605 Hopewell Rd.
Cincinnati
The "Music for All Seasons" concert series at historic Peterloon Estate presents a holiday concert featuring vocalist Kimberly Daniel in classical, traditional and popular season favorites. The concert will be followed by an informal tea-and-coffee get together with the artists.Tickets are $30, $15 for students. Proceeds benefit Music for Youth in Cincinnati, concertnova, Queen City Chamber Opera and Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank. Order online at www.brownpapertickets.com
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Music at Christ Church Cathedral
"A Ceremony of Carols" by Benjamin Britten
Dec. 17 -- 12:10 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church
318 E. 4th St.
downtown
The sopranos and altos of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir perform Benajmin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" with Elizabeth Motter on harp. Admission is free. Child care available.
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Christmas with Amy Grant and Vince Gill
Dec. 17 -- 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall
This one-time-only concert featuring vocalist Amy Grant encores her sold-out holiday concert with the Pops in 2012. Joining her will be country star Vince Gill. Tickets begin at $30. Call (513) 381-3300, or order online at www.cincinnatipops.org
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holiday concert
Dec. 19 -- 5 p.m.
Shiloh at Price Hill United Methodist
704 Elberon Ave.
The Music for Youth in Cincinnati youth orchestra presents a free holiday concert. Information at www.mycincinnatiorchestra.org
_______________________________________________________________"O Holy Night"
Marco Panuccio, tenor
Dec. 20 -- 8 p.m.
St. Peter in Chains Cathedral
8th and Plum Streets
downtown
Tenor Marco
Panuccio, in cooperation with the Queen City Chamber Opera Orchestra, pianist Matthew Umphreys, organist Blake Callahan and conductor Jesse Leong, presents his annual Christmas show at St. Peter
in Chains Cathedral. Hear Mascagni's "Ave Maria," David Foster's "Thankful," Britten's "I Wonder As I Wander" and Adam's "O Holy Night." Tickets are $25, $15 for students, at
oholynighcincinnati.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006
Washington Platform Jazz Series
Eugene Goss, vocalist
Dec. 20 -- 9 p.m. to midnight
Washington Platform restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown
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Knox Music Series
Vaughan Williams and Mendelssohn
Earl Rivers, director
Dec. 21 -- 7:30 p.m.
Knox Presbyterian Church
Michigan and Observatory Avenues
Hyde Park
Knox director of music Earl Rivers leads the Knox Choir, orchestra and soloists in "Hodie" by Ralph Vaughan Williams and "Von Himmel hoch" by Mendelssohn, both in their Cincinnati premieres. The soloists, all from Knox Choir, will be sopranos Eric Keesy and Jasmine Habersham, tenors Alec Carlson and James Onstad and baritones Joseph Lattanzi and Michael Young. The Cincinnati Children's Choir Con Brio, Robyn Lana, director, will be featured in the Vaughan Williams. Admission is free.
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Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
May Festival Chorus
"Messiah" by George Frederic Handel, part I
John Nelson, conductor
Dec. 21 -- 7:30 p.m.
Hope Church, Christ's Church at Mason
Mason, Ohio
The CSO and May Festival Chorus led by guest conductor John Nelson perform part I of Handel's "Messiah" in this special community concert in Mason, Ohio. Soloists will be soprano Abigail Santos, mezzo-soprano Megan Marino, tenor Colin Ainsworth and bass Adam Lau. Tickets are $25, $12 for children. Call (513) 281-3300 or order online at www.cincinnatisymphony.org
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Music at Ascension
David Mamedov, pianist
Dec. 21 -- 7:30 p.m.
Ascension Lutheran Church
7333 Pfeiffer Rd.
Montgomery
New York pianist David Mamedov, a native of Cincinnati, returns to perform a recital at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montgomery. On his program are Beethoven's Sonata Op. 28 in D Major ("Pastoral"); Rachmaninov's 10 Preludes, Op. 23; and the Piano Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp Minor by Scriabin. Admission is free.
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Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
May Festival Chorus
"Messiah" by George Frederic Handel (complete)
John Nelson, conductor
Dec. 22 -- 2 p.m.
Music Hall
The CSO and May Festival Chorus led by guest conductor John Nelson perform the complete Handel's "Messiah" at Music Hall. Soloists will be soprano Abigail Santos, mezzo-soprano Megan Marino, tenor Colin Ainsworth and bass Adam Lau. Tickets are $25, $12 for children. Call (513) 281-3300 or order online at www.cincinnatisymphony.org
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Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
"Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menotti
Mischa Santora, conductor
Madcap Puppets
Dec. 20 and 23 -- 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21 and 22 -- 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Gallagher Center Theater
Xavier University
The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and Madcap Puppet Theater present Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" in six performances at Xavier University's Gallagher Center Theater. Singers include mezzo-soprano Jennifer Panara as the Mother, tenor Brad Raymond as Kaspar, baritone Errik Hood as Melchior and bass Claude Cassion as Balthazar, with Amahl to be announced. Also participating are the Pones Inc. dancers, Kim Popa choreographer, and Xavier Edgecliff Vocal Ensemble, Tom Merrill, director. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students. Call (513) 723-1182, or order online at ccocincinnati.org
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