Canadian Brass, Andreas Delfs ring in musical season of good cheer
Holiday concerts will bring two former local conductors back to Milwaukee during the season of good cheer.
Former music director Andreas Delfs will lead the Milwaukee Symphony's annual Holiday Pops concerts in early December. Later that month, beloved former associate conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong returns here to lead "Messiah" performances.
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Here are some concert possibilities for fans of classical and traditional Christmas music:
"Canadian Brass Holiday," 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29. We must have been good little girls and boys this year, because Santa's bringing an early present: a battle between the famed Canadian ensemble and the Milwaukee Symphony Brass, including trombonist Megumi Kanda, hornist Matthew Annin, bass trombonist John Thevenet and trumpeters Matthew Ernst and David Cohen. Their planned program includes a "Charlie Brown Christmas" medley of Vince Guaraldi's music and a Stan Kenton-style suite of holiday music. Marcus Center's Uihlein Hall, 929 N. Water St. Visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605.
"Let It Snow" Holiday Pajama Jamboree, 7 p.m. Nov. 29. Festival City Symphony gives a free concert of holiday tunes aimed at children in K-4 through fifth grade and their favorite adults. Wear casual clothes and bring a blanket for the floor. Marcus Center's Bradley Pavilion, 929 N. Water St. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation for Hunger Task Force.
"Holiday Pops," 8 p.m. Dec. 1-2, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Anticipating a big turnout for the return of former music director Andreas Delfs, the Milwaukee Symphony added a Sunday night show to its regular troika of handbell-ringing, choral-singing Yule concerts. Chorus director Cheryl Frazes Hill and Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble director John A. Behnke will join Delfs in a crowd-pleasing program of music by Leroy Anderson, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Handel and other elves. Marcus Center's Uihlein Hall. Visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605.
"Northern Lights," 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Wisconsin Philharmonic programs a concert of holiday music with a Scandinavian accent, with vocal assistance from the women's choirs of Brookfield Central, Brookfield East and Muskego High Schools. Carrol University's Shattuck Music Center, 218 N. East Ave., Waukesha.
"Christmas in the Basilica," 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8-9, 4 p.m. Dec. 10. During its annual holiday concerts, the Bel Canto Chorus will perform the world premiere of "A Christmas Gloria" by local composer Daniel Van Gelderen, a work it commissioned. Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 S. 6th St. Visit belcanto.org or call (414) 481-8801.
"Home for the Holidays," 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 16 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17. The Florentine Studio Artists will sing concerts of carols and winter music. FSA includes soprano Rachel Blaustein, mezzo-soprano Ashley Puenner, tenor Edward Graves and baritone Nathaniel Hill. Lueders Florentine Opera Center, 926 E. Burleigh St. Visit www.florentineopera.org.
“A Mediterranean Christmas,” 5 p.m. Dec. 9 and 3 p.m. Dec. 10. Early-music trailblazers Boston Camerata team with SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble for a concert of music from Spain, Italy, France, north Africa and the Holy Land. St. Joseph Chapel, 1501 S. Layton Blvd. Visit earlymusicnow.org or call (414) 225-3113.
"Handel's 'Messiah'," 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, St. Mary's Faith Community, 9520 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Cathedral of St. John, 812 N. Jackson St.; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-16, 4 p.m. Dec. 17, Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 S. 6th St. Former associate conductor Lecce-Chong returns to lead performances of Handel's classic oratorio featuring the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. Visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605.