Dec. 03--Classical picks of the week:
William Ferris Chorale: The acclaimed Chicago chorus under Paul French begins its 44th season with "Strike the Harp and Join the Chorus," a holiday program of carol arrangements and Renaissance polyphony, plus Frank Ferko's "A Festival of Carols." 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Madonna della Strada Chapel, Loyola University, 1032 N. Sheridan Road (repeated Dec. 12 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Chicago; and Dec. 13 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, La Grange). 773-508-2940, williamferrischorale.org
Frank Almond: The violinist and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concertmaster is joined by pianist William Wolfram for "A Violin's Life," a recital celebrating the 300th birthday of his instrument, the famed "Lipinski" Stradivarius. The program includes works by Bach, Beethoven and Tartini. A pre-concert event for ticket holders will include remarks by filmmaker Joel Van Haren about a documentary he's making about the Strad and its history. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Darnton Hersh Salon, 30 E. Adams St., Suite 1200; $25, $10 for students; 312-566-0429, darntonhersh.com
Canadian Brass: The popular wind ensemble presents classical and popular repertory. 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; $40 and $50; 630-637-7469, northcentralcollege.edu/showtix
Chicago a cappella: The vocal ensemble under guest music director Benjamin Rivera presents a new edition of old and new holiday fare, including Christmas and Hanukkah carols, spirituals and pop favorites. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St.; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, St. Clement Church, 642 W. Deming Place (repeated Dec. 13 in Oak Park, Dec. 18 in Naperville and Dec. 19 in Evanston); 773-281-7820, chicagoacappella.org.
Chicago Children's Choir: A cross-genre program of holiday favorites reunites the youth chorus with the Sphinx Virtuosi, a chamber orchestra of young African-American and Latino musicians. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.; 312-334-7777, harristheaterchicago.org
Chicago Choral Artists: The Kontras Quartet joins director Michael D. Costello and the chorus for a candlelight concert of sacred Christmas music. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, St. Sylvester Catholic Church, 2157 N. Humboldt Blvd.; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest; $25, $20 for seniors, $15 for students; 773-658-9799, chicagochoralartists.org
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Music director Riccardo Muti returns for his final CSO appearances of 2015, with a program that includes Prokofiev's "Classical" Symphony, Scriabin's "Prometheus" and Beethoven's Eighth Symphony; Kirill Gerstein is pianist; 1:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday; $34-$120. Handel's beloved "Messiah" returns to Orchestra Hall just ahead of the holidays, with the Chicago Symphony Chorus and soloists, under Bernard Labadie; 8 p.m. Thursday (repeated Dec. 11-20); $36-$260. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-294-3000, cso.org
CSO Special Concert: Richard Kaufman leads CSO members in a performance of John Williams' soundtrack to the popular film "Home Alone," which will be shown complete. 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $35-$98; 312-294-3000, cso.org
Ensemble Dal Niente: The Chicago contemporary music group plays Johannes Kreidler's "Stil 1i" (world premiere), along with works by Enno Poppe, Helmut Lachenmann and others. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave.; $15, $10 for students; constellation-chicago.com
Evanston Symphony Orchestra: The group's annual holiday concert will bring together a host of ensembles -- including the North Shore Choral Society, Evanston Dance Ensemble, Evanston Children's Choir and a newly formed gospel choir -- to perform classical and popular Christmas music, plus dances from "The Nutcracker." 3 p.m. Sunday, Evanston Township High School, 1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston; 847-864-8804, evanstonsymphony.org
Lyric Opera -- "Bel Canto": The opera by composer Jimmy Lopez and librettist Nilo Cruz, based on the Ann Patchett novel inspired by real events, about the unlikely bonds that arise when guests at a formal reception are held hostage by Peruvian armed guerrillas, has its world premiere. Soprano Danielle de Niese portrays the central figure, an American opera diva, in Kevin Newbury's production. Andrew Davis conducts. Opens at 7:30 p.m. Monday and runs through Jan. 17, Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; $34-$239; 312-827-5600, lyricopera.org
Lyric Opera -- "The Merry Widow": Soprano Nicole Cabell takes over the title role of the glamorous (and very rich) Hanna Glawari in the frothy Lehar operetta, opposite baritone Thomas Hampson's debonair Count Danilo. Andrew Davis conducts. Through Dec. 13. Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; $34-$239; 312-827-5600, lyricopera.org
Ravinia $10 BGH Classics Series: The Minnesota-based vocal ensemble The Singers will perform a holiday program. 6 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Bennett Gordon Hall, Ravinia, Green Bay and Lake Cook roads, Highland Park; $10; 847-266-5100, ravinia.org
Rembrandt Chamber Players: The group's annual Holiday Baroque program holds Bach's First and Fourth "Brandenburg" Concertos, along with Handel's "Laudate pueri Dominum." 3 p.m. Sunday, Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston; $38-$40, $10-$12 for students; 312-360-3145, rembrandtchamberplayers.org
St. Charles Singers: The chorus's 32nd annual Candlelight Carols Christmas concerts blend traditional carols and more unusual musical fare by Pachelbel, Holst and others. 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles; and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut; $35, $30 for seniors and $10 for students; 630-513-5272, stcharlessingers.com
jvonrhein@tribpub.com
