Four of the best classical concerts

The outstanding harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani. Photograph: Bernhard Musil

1 Der Rosenkavalier

The Royal Opera’s turn-of-the-year show is a new production of one of the core works of the operatic repertoire. Directed by Robert Carsen, it sets Strauss’s rococo comedy at the time of its composition in 1910. Andris Nelsons conducts all the performances, while the two central roles are double cast: Renée Fleming and Rachel Willis-Sørensen share the part of the Marschallin; Alice Coote and Anna Stéphany alternate as Octavian.

Royal Opera House, WC2, Sat to 24 Jan

2 Messiah

There’s never a shortage of chances to hear Handel’s best-known oratorio at this time of year. The performances by the Edinburgh-based Dunedin Consort have consistently been among the finest around; this time London also gets a chance to appreciate their approach.

Perth, Sat; Glasgow, Sun; Edinburgh, Mon; London, Tue

3 Vingt Regards Sur l’enfant-Jésus

Though there aren’t many piano works with specific Christmas connections, Messiaen’s epic cycle is unquestionably the greatest of them and one of the milestones in 20th-century keyboard music in its own right. Latvian pianist Reinis Zariņš tackles the monumental 20 pieces, which trace a spiritual journey as much as a musical one.

St George’s Bristol, Mon

4 Goldberg Variations

Over the next five seasons, the outstanding harpsichordist Mahan Esfahan will be working his way through Bach’s solo keyboard works in a series of recitals at the Wigmore Hall. He begins his pilgrimage with the Goldberg Variations, arguably the greatest of all the composer’s instrumental works.

Wigmore Hall, W1, Wed