This can be a record of concert events we’re attending, wishing we might attend, or fascinated with attending between December 15 and 21, 2025. For extra of what’s occurring round Toronto, go to our calendar here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Messiah
Tuesday, December 16, Wednesday, December 17, Friday, December 19, Saturday, December 20: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, December 21, 3 p.m.
Roy Thomson Corridor, $60+
Simply earlier than Christmas, that is the apex of the annual Messiah maelstrom within the metropolis. Toronto Symphony begins their 5-days lengthy Messiah run with the mighty Toronto Mendelssohn Choir on the Roy Thomson this Tuesday night. That includes a mixture of seasoned and younger, vivid soloists — Lauren Snouffer, Susan Platts, Anthony León, and Gerald Finley — the conductor Michael Francis will take the viewers by way of the start of the nativity to demise of Christ, masterfully set by Handel in three components. It’s wonderful that a lot of Handel’s Messiah has change into a staunch mainstream icon, but it is usually equally wonderful how the remainder of the Messiah remains to be left for in-depth exploration — as these lesser identified numbers nonetheless carry a lot drama and charisma. Come and provides the work a worthy, affected person listening, and expertise the narrative in its full glory. Data here.
Hannaford Road Silver Band: Merry & Vibrant
Tuesday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, $51.75
An opportunity to expertise the brass band in its full glory in jubilant Christmas vacation music with particular friends. Alex Hetherington — a real Torontonian, a well-known face from her College of Music, College of Toronto days, then as a member of the COC Ensemble, and lately as Siebel in COC’s fall manufacturing of Faust — is the featured soloist, and the 60+ member-strong Orpheus Choir of Toronto shall be becoming a member of the stage. Working since 1983, the Hannaford Road Silver Band has been an necessary a part of Toronto’s musical cloth — particularly with the Hannaford Youth program — a devoted place for younger musicians to come back collectively past the 4 partitions of their traditional college band life. Deliver your households and buddies, particularly the younger’uns within the band program, and share the attractive brass band custom by way of the all-time seasonal favourites, plus one: a brand-new fee by Haitian composer Christopher Ducasse. Data here.
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Handel: Messiah
Thursday, December 18, Friday, December 19, Saturday, December 20, all reveals at 7:30 p.m.
Koerner Corridor, $50+
Tafel orchestra and chamber choir with Ivars Taurins takes to Koerner Corridor with 4 wonderful soloists — Stephanie True, Krisztina Szabó, Nicholas Scott, and Jonathan Woody. A lot tighter and compact compared to the full-modern orchestra format, Tafel’s Messiah is steeped in efficiency follow, a lookback on historic methods, devices, and kinds. When you marvel what Handel would possibly’ve heard, that is the rendition to take a look at. In 2024, all three reveals bought out, and it’ll seemingly promote out once more this yr. Go and be part of the group, and luxuriate in that specific vitality of a real full-house, which has change into a rarity because the pandemic — there’s one thing very particular within the air with such enthusiasm. When you miss the boat by clicking a simply tad bit too late, there’s an choice of becoming a member of Tafel at the Massey, with a Sing-along on 21st — however hurry, as this additionally sells out yearly. Data here.
Array Productions: Playscape Emporium: Theatrics
Thursday, December 18, 7:30 p.m.
Array House, 155 Walnut Ave., $25/Pay What You Need
A live performance that may reduce by way of the thick fog of Hallmark holidays, nativities, and all issues seasonal. Duo Cichorium brings the theme of theatrics to the intimate Array House. The centrepiece, Fall of the Empire (2007) by Frederic Rzewski, is fabricated from a prologue and 7 quick acts, mixing texts from varied sources from Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, Mom Goose, Invoice Buchanan/Hegel, Mark Twain, and Rzewski himself. The piece is a mashup of all issues efficiency — completely different characters, instrument taking part in, talking, use of area and staging, and its deal with all issues that have been true points in 2007, and sadly, are nonetheless points immediately — democracy, capitalism, and the ever-tight precarious stability of worldwide relations with eyes on successful — convey the pure music out of itself, and into a bigger context. Earlier than you flip to the subsequent choice muttering one thing about politics, let’s refocus on the truth that a discourse actually means ‘working about’, and that with out surprising issues, we are going to by no means see past our personal selves. A brand new work by Domenic Clarke, Adore, for viola, two percussionists, and electronics, and Toronto Saxophone Quintet with Trevor Flemings taking part in Raymond Luedeke’s Rubbish Delight, guarantees a lot to find. Data here.
Massey Corridor: CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! Un-Silent Night time: An Epic Vacation Singalong
Saturday, December 20, 2 p.m., and eight p.m.
Massey Corridor, $53+
Am I an viewers member or a performer? What’s to pay attention — to others, or to self, or to sing? Does it matter? CCC brings their signature vacation singalong to Massey as soon as once more, and the promised vitality is BIG. All voices welcomed, no expertise required — that is your probability to really be part of within the enjoyable at your personal leisure, as the combination of classics and seasonal pops will ring thunderously in Massey. The wonderful CCC will educate you what to sing, so no worries there, and such a totally open invitation is uncommon. It’s such a distinct factor to eat artwork, versus creating creative experiences. Someway, the phrase Artwork grew to become so distant from most individuals’s day by day lives, it’s now fairly tough to outline what it means; due to intelligent capitalistic advertising and marketing ploys promising creative experiences, from shopping for a potted plant, to getting your eyelashes finished, something looks like it may be artwork. And suppose that’s nonetheless true, as it’s inconceivable to disprove. Nevertheless, a group sing-along, particularly with strangers the place one can construct new bonds, share that second with out reservation, and sing out to 11 — there isn’t any doubt that is artwork. Sure. Mass artmaking. So, seize family and friends, frenemies and strangers, and head right down to Massey for a very good time. Data here.
Royal Conservatory of Music: VOCES8
Sunday, December 21, 3 p.m. (Bought out), 7 p.m.
Koerner Corridor, $65+
Among the finest chamber ensembles on this planet, VOCES8 returns to Koerner. The afternoon present bought out a way back, however that is your fortunate day — they’ve added a second present. Bringing all the things from the Renaissance classics — Orlando di Lasso, Arvo Pärt, Byrd and Sweelinck — to modern — Sally Beamish and J. Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie — that is the live performance to expertise the magic of a capella human voices. Get your ticket and expertise wonderful mix, technical finesse, and that sheen of pure intonation. Data here.
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Cecilia tumbled into ‘severe’ music research when she determined to keep away from attending medical college. Presently working within the subject of classical music, recording, and Korean-English interpretation, she tends to get her nostril soiled in many alternative issues within the metropolis. Cecilia holds a DMA in Piano Efficiency from the College of Nebraska-Lincoln.
