Volume 30 Issue 3 | December 2024 & January 2025

LIVE OR ONLINE | Dec 1

LIVE OR ONLINE | Dec 1 to Feb 7, 2024& Kimberley Rampersad, Music directionby Paul Sportelli. Shaw Festival Theatre,10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake.905-468-2172. .25-3.41. Prices vary bydate. Visit shawfest.com for tickets. Runs toDec. 22nd.● 1:00: Shaw Festival. A Christmas Carol.Visit shawfest.com for tickets. Runs toDec 22.● 5:00: Elora Singers. Festival of Carols. AnElora Christmas-tide tradition! Step into thewarmth and wonder of a candle-lit concertthat will fill you with joy and wonder, and liftyour spirit with timeless treasures and heartwarmingstories. St. John’s Anglican Church(Elora), 36 Henderson St., Elora. 519-846-0331 or www.elorasingers.ca. , (student), (12 & under). Also Dec 17(8pm),18(8pm).● 7:30: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.grandtheatre.com. Runs until Dec 29. SeeMusic Theatre, p.41 for details.● 7:30: Toronto Shape Note Singers. SacredHarp Singing. Shape note music selectionsfrom the Sacred Harp tunebook. Singingis participatory, not a performance. Noexperience necessary. All are welcome andthere are books to borrow. Friends House,60 Lowther Ave. 647-838-8764. Pay what youcan. Every third Wed of the month.● 8:00: Elora Singers. Festival of Carols. AnElora Christmas-tide tradition! Step into thewarmth and wonder of a candle-lit concertthat will fill you with joy and wonder, and liftyour spirit with timeless treasures and heartwarmingstories. St. John’s Anglican Church(Elora), 36 Henderson St., Elora. 519-846-0331 or www.elorasingers.ca. , (student), (12 & under). Also Dec 17(8pm),18(5pm).● 8:00: Flato Markham Theatre. NatalieMacMaster & Donnell Leahy: A Celtic FamilyChristmas. 171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham.905-305-7469 or www.flatomarkhamtheatre.ca. From . Limited availability.● 8:00: Massey Hall. Clario - Charm Tour.178 Victoria St. www.tickets.mhrth.com.From . Also Dec 16 & 17.● 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. SpecialPerformance: Messiah. Handel: Messiah.Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; NicholasBurns, countertenor; Josh Lovell, tenbor;Enrico Lagasca, bass-baritone; Toronto MendelssohnChoir; Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor& TMC Artistic Director. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-598-3375 or www.tso.ca. From . Also Dec 17(8pm), 20(8pm),21(8pm), 22(3pm).● 8:00: Voices Chamber Choir. JoyeuxNoël. Charpentier: Messe de minuit pourNoël, and other seasonal favorites. ConradGold, accompanist; Ron Cheung, conductor.St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church(Toronto), 151 Glenlake Ave. 416-519-0528.; (sr/st); Free(under 12).● 8:00: Voices Chamber Choir. Joyeux Noël.Join the choir for our 28th annual Christmasconcert featuring Marc-Antoine Charpentier’sMesse de minuit pour Noël and otherseasonal favourites. Church of St. Martinin-the-Fields,151 Glenlake Ave. www.voiceschoir.com.-.Thursday December 19● 1:00: Shaw Festival. Lerner and Loewe’s MyFair Lady. Also at 7pm. Visit shawfest.com fortickets. Runs to Dec 22.● 1:00: Shaw Festival. A Christmas Carol.Visit shawfest.com for tickets. Runs toDec 22.● 7:30: Centre in the Square. Natalie Mac-Master & Donnell Leahy: A Celtic FamilyChristmas Party Tour. 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener.519-578-1570. From .50. www.centreinthesquare.com.● 7:30: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.grandtheatre.com. Runs until Dec 29. SeeMusic Theatre, p.41 for details.● 8:00: Old Mill Toronto. Jazz Lounge: A JewishBoy’s Christmas - Sam Broverman. 21 OldMill Rd. 416-207-2020 or www.oldmilltoronto.com/event/a-jewish-christmas. . Minimum food & beverage spend. Restrictedto ages 19+. Dinner at 6pm. Show at 8pm.Friday December 20● 1:00: Shaw Festival. Lerner and Loewe’sMy Fair Lady. Visit shawfest.com for tickets.Runs to Dec 22.● 1:00: Shaw Festival. A Christmas Carol.Directed by Ryan G. Hinds, Original musicby Paul Sportelli. Royal George Theatre,85 Queen St, Niagara on the Lake. 905-468-2172 or www.shawfest.com. .25-1.87.Also 7pm. Prices vary by date. Runs to Dec.22nd.● 7:00: Burlington Performing Arts Centre.A Very Charlie Brown Concert featuringEnchorus Children’s Choir. BurlingtonPerforming Arts Centre - Main Theatre,440 Locust St., Burlington. 905-681-6000..50(.50 member) - .50(.50member).● 7:00: Church of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. Professional musiciansand a volunteer cast present this charminghour-long pageant. 19 Trinity Sq. www.thechristmasstory.ca or 416-598-4521. Suggestiondonations: (adult); (child).Also Dec 7(4:30pm); 8(4:30pm); 14(4:30pm);15(4:30pm), 21(4:30pm), 22(4:30pm). AmericanSign Language interpretation on Dec 14.● 7:30: Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club. Pub Caroling.With Steve Holowitz & Paul Grambo.Chaucer’s Pub, 122 Carling St., London. 519-319-5847 or folk@iandavies.com. Suggesteddonation: .● 7:30: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.grandtheatre.com. Runs until Dec 29. SeeMusic Theatre, p.41 for details.● 7:30: Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. AHoliday Celebration. St. Matthew’s LutheranChurch, 54 Benton St., Kitchener. www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-holiday-celebration-tickets-1061775050759.From . Also Dec 21.● 7:30: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.Handel Messiah. Myriam Leblanc, soprano;Krisztina Szabó, mezzo; Jacob Perry, tenor;Philippe Sly, bass-baritone. Royal Conservatoryof Music - TELUS Centre - KoernerHall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.tafelmusik.org. -0. Also Dec. 21.● 8:00: Batuki Music Society. Okavango AfricanOrchestra Concert in Toronto. RedwoodTheatre, The, 1300 Gerrard Ave. E. www.Okavango20Dec24.eventbrite.ca.(door);(adv).● 8:00: Exultate Chamber Singers. HolidayCheer! An evening of holiday favouritesincluding the world premiere of a new workby Canadian composer Brianna Levesque.Calvin Presbyterian Church (Toronto),26 Delisle Ave. 416-971-9229 or www.exultate.net/performances. Pay What You Wish: ,, (suggested).● 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. SpecialPerformance: Messiah. Handel: Messiah.Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; NicholasBurns, countertenor; Josh Lovell, tenor;Enrico Lagasca, bass-baritone; Toronto MendelssohnChoir; Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor& TMC Artistic Director. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-598-3375 or www.tso.ca. From . Also Dec 17(8pm), 18(8pm),21(8pm), 22(3pm).Saturday December 21● 1:00: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.Also at 7:30pm. grandtheatre.com. Runs untilDec 29. See Music Theatre, p.41 for details.● 1:00: Shaw Festival. Lerner and Loewe’s MyFair Lady. Also at 7pm. Visit shawfest.com fortickets. Runs to Dec 22.● 1:00: Shaw Festival. A Christmas Carol.Also 7pm. Visit shawfest.com for tickets. Runsto Dec 22.● 2:00: Massey Hall. CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR!Un-Silent Night: An Epic Holiday Sing-Along.178 Victoria St. www.masseyhall.mhrth.com/tickets/ccc-unsilent-night. .30. Also 8pm.● 4:00: The Edison Singers. O Hear the AngelVoices: The Music of Christmas. St. Andrew’sUnited Church (Brantford), 95 Darling St.,Brantford. 226-384-9300. ; (ages13-21); (ages 12 & under). Running time: 75min. (no intermission).● 4:30: Church of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. Professional musiciansand a volunteer cast present this charminghour-long pageant. 19 Trinity Sq. www.thechristmasstory.ca or 416-598-4521. Suggestiondonations: (adult); (child).Also Dec 7(4:30pm); 8(4:30pm); 14(4:30pm);15(4:30pm), 20(7pm), 22(7pm). AmericanSign Language interpretation on Dec 14.● 7:00: Brampton On Stage. A Next GenerationLeahy Christmas. Rose Theatre, The(Brampton), 1 Theatre Ln., Brampton. www.tickets.brampton.ca/online or 905-874-2800.From .● 7:00: Knox Presbyterian Church(Toronto)/Toronto Beach Chorale. Messiahfor the City. Toronto Beach Chorale; MississaugaChamber Singers; St. Anne’s AnglicanChurch Choir; Soloists; Musicians from theToronto Symphony Orchestra;. Knox PresbyterianChurch (Toronto), 630 Spadina Ave. .. Tickets are distributed by United Way andits partner agencies to Torontonians whowouldn’t normally have access.● 7:30: Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. AHoliday Celebration. St. Matthew’s LutheranChurch, 54 Benton St., Kitchener. www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-holiday-celebration-tickets-1061775050759.From . Also Dec 20.● 7:30: Milton Philharmonic Orchestra. WinterludeXI. Tchaikovsky: Excerpts from TheNutcracker Suite; Vaughan Williams: Fantasiaon Greensleeves; Anderson: Sleigh Ride;Christmas Sing-Along and other holidayfavourites. FirstOntario Arts Centre (Milton),1010 Main St., Milton. 905-875-5399. ;(sr); (st/child - ages 1-17).HANDELMESSIAHDirected by Ivars TaurinsDEC 20–21Koerner Hall, TELUS Centrefor Performance and Learningtafelmusik.org● 7:30: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.Handel Messiah. Myriam Leblanc, soprano;Krisztina Szabó, mezzo; Jacob Perry, tenor;Philippe Sly, bass-baritone. Royal Conservatoryof Music - TELUS Centre - KoernerHall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.tafelmusik.org. -0. Also Dec. 20.● 8:00: Burlington Performing Arts Centre.A Whitehorse Winter Classic. BurlingtonPerforming Arts Centre - Main Theatre,440 Locust St., Burlington. 905-681-6000..50(.50 member) - .50(.50member).● 8:00: Flato Markham Theatre. The JerseyNights Before Christmas Show. Four superbvocalists, a live band, the legendary music ofFrankie Valli and the four seasons, nostalgichits by artists of the magic area, and a specialpresentation of Christmas classics. 171 TownCentre Blvd., Markham. 905-305-7469 orwww.flatomarkhamtheatre.ca. From .50.● 8:00: Massey Hall. CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR!Un-Silent Night: An Epic Holiday Sing-Along.178 Victoria St. www.masseyhall.mhrth.com/tickets/ccc-unsilent-night. .30. Also 2pm.32 | December 2024 & January 2025 thewholenote.com

● 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. SpecialPerformance: Messiah. Handel: Messiah.Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; NicholasBurns, countertenor; Josh Lovell, tenbor;Enrico Lagasca, bass-baritone; Toronto MendelssohnChoir; Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor& TMC Artistic Director. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-598-3375 or www.tso.ca. From . Also Dec 17(8pm), 18(8pm),20(8pm), 22(3pm).Sunday December 22● 1:00: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.grandtheatre.com. Runs until Dec 29. SeeMusic Theatre, p.41 for details.● 1:00: Shaw Festival. Lerner and Loewe’s MyFair Lady. Final performance. shawfest.com.See Music Theatre, p.41 for details.● 1:00: Shaw Festival. A Christmas Carol.Final performance. shawfest.com. See MusicTheatre, p.41 for details..SING-ALONGMESSIAHDirected by Mr. HandelDEC 22Massey Halltafelmusik.org● 2:00: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Sing-Along Messiah. Myriam Leblanc, soprano;Krisztina Szabó, mezzo; Jacob Perry, tenor;Philippe Sly, bass-baritone. Massey Hall,178 Victoria St. 416-872-4255 or www.tafelmusik.org..70.● 3:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. SpecialPerformance: Messiah. Handel: Messiah.Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; NicholasBurns, countertenor; Josh Lovell, tenbor;Enrico Lagasca, bass-baritone; Toronto MendelssohnChoir; Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor& TMC Artistic Director. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. 416-598-3375 or www.tso.ca. From . Also Dec 17(8pm), 18(8pm),20(8pm), 21(8pm).● 4:30: Church of the Holy Trinity. TheChristmas Story. Professional musiciansand a volunteer cast present this charminghour-long pageant. 19 Trinity Sq. www.thechristmasstory.ca or 416-598-4521. Suggestiondonations: (adult); (child).Also Dec 7(4:30pm); 8(4:30pm); 14(4:30pm);15(4:30pm), 20(7pm), 21(4:30pm). AmericanSign Language interpretation on Dec 14.● 7:00: Burlington Performing Arts Centre.A Family Christmas with Pavlo & JohnMcDermott. O Holy Night, Christmas inthe Trenches, The Huron Carol. BurlingtonPerforming Arts Centre - Main Theatre,440 Locust St., Burlington. 905-681-6000..50(.50 member) - .50(.50member).Monday December 23● 5:00: The Edison Singers. O Hear theAngel Voices: The Music of Christmas. KnoxPresbyterian Church (Elora), 51 Church St.,Elora. 226-384-9300. ; (ages 13-21);(ages 12 & under). Running time: 75 min.(no intermission).Tuesday December 24● 1:00: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.grandtheatre.com. Runs until Dec 29. SeeMusic Theatre, p.41 for details.Thursday December 26● 7:30: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.grandtheatre.com. Runs until Dec 29. SeeMusic Theatre, p.41 for details.Friday December 27● 1:00: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.Also at 7:30pm. grandtheatre.com. Runs untilDec 29. See Music Theatre, p.41 for details.● 8:00: Old Mill Toronto. Jazz Lounge: ErrolFisher. 21 Old Mill Rd. 416-207-2020 or www.oldmilltoronto.com/event/errol-fisher.. Minimum food & beverage spend.Restricted to ages 19+. Dinner at 6pm. Showat 8pm.Saturday December 28● 1:00: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.Also at 7:30pm. grandtheatre.com. Runs untilDec 29. See Music Theatre, p.41 for details.● 7:00: Royal Conservatory of Music. SpecialEvent: Into the Woods. Music & Lyrics byStephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine.Richard Ouzounian, stage director; PaulSportelli, music director. Royal Conservatoryof Music - TELUS Centre - KoernerHall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.rcmusic.com/performance. From . AlsoDec 29, 30 & 31.● 8:00: Kindred Spirits Orchestra. Salute to2025! New Year’s Gala. A selection of overtures,arias, and duets from works by Mozart,Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, Rossini, andothers. Alexa Frankian, soprano; Geo Chobanov,bass-baritone; Kristian Alexander,conductor. Meridian Arts Centre - GeorgeWeston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St. 905-604-8339. -.Sunday December 29● 1:00: Grand Theatre. The Sound of Music.grandtheatre.com. Final performance. SeeMusic Theatre, p.41 for details.● 3:00: Toronto Operetta Theatre. CountessMaritza. Music by Inre Kalmán. Artists to beannounced. St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts- Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723 or 1–800-708-6754 or www.tolive.com.From . Also Jan 3(8pm), 4(8pm).● 7:00: Royal Conservatory of Music. SpecialEvent: Into the Woods. Music & Lyrics byStephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine.Richard Ouzounian, stage director; PaulSportelli, music director. Royal Conservatoryof Music - TELUS Centre - KoernerHall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.rcmusic.com/performance. From . AlsoDec 28, 30 & 31.Monday December 30● 2pm and 7pm: Flato Markham Theatre.Ballet Jörgen: The Nutcracker - A CanadianTradition. Bengt Jörgen, choreographer& artistic director. 171 Town CentreBlvd., Markham. 905-305-7469 or www.flatomarkhamtheatre.ca.From .50. AlsoDec 31(11am & 3pm).● 7:00: Royal Conservatory of Music. SpecialEvent: Into the Woods. Music & Lyrics byStephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine.Richard Ouzounian, stage director; PaulSportelli, music director. Royal Conservatoryof Music - TELUS Centre - KoernerHall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.rcmusic.com/performance. From . AlsoDec 28, 29 & 31.Tuesday December 31● 11am and 3pm: Flato Markham Theatre.Ballet Jörgen: The Nutcracker - A CanadianTradition. Bengt Jörgen, choreographer& artistic director. 171 Town CentreBlvd., Markham. 905-305-7469 or www.flatomarkhamtheatre.ca.From .50. AlsoDec 30(2pm & 7pm), 31(3pm).● 7:00: Attila Glatz Concert Productions/Roy Thomson Hall. Bravissimo! - New Year’sat the Opera. Arias and duets, includingselections from Carmen, Turandot, and TheMarriage of Figaro. Eri Nakamura, soprano;Viktoria Vizin, mezzo; Kang Wang, tenor;Mihai Damian, baritone; Canadian OperaCompany Orchestra. Roy Thomson Hall,60 Simcoe St. www.roythomsonhall.com or416-872-4255. From .50.● 7:00: Royal Conservatory of Music. SpecialEvent: Into the Woods - New Year’s Eve Celebration.Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.Book by James Lapine. Richard Ouzounian,stage director; Paul Sportelli, music director.Royal Conservatory of Music - TELUS Centre -Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208or www.rcmusic.com/performance. From0. Also Dec 28, 29 & 30.Wednesday January 1● 2:30: Attila Glatz Concert Productions/Roy Thomson Hall. Salute to Vienna NewYear’s Concert 2025. Brigitta Simon, soprano;Eric Fennell, tenor; Europaballett St. Pölten &International Champion Ballroom Dancers;Strauss Symphony of Canada; Michael Zehetner,conductor. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 SimcoeSt. www.roythomsonhall.com or 416-872-4255. From .● 3:00: Stratford Symphony Orchestra.New Year’s Celebration. Programto be announced. William Rowson, conductor.Avondale United Church (Stratford),194 Avondale Ave., Stratford. 519-271-0990or www.stratfordsymphony.ca/2025_New_Years_Celebration. ; (st); Free(under12).● 7:30: The Jeffery Concerts. Brett Polegato,Baritone and Robert Kortgaard, Piano.Schumann: Frauenliebe- und Leben; MatthewRicketts: Songs for a Judith. London PublicLibrary - Wolf Performance Hall, 251 DundasSt., London. www.grandtheatre.com or 519-672-8800. ; Free(st).Friday January 3● 8:00: Toronto Operetta Theatre. CountessMaritza. Music by Inre Kalmán. Artists to bethewholenote.com December 2024 & January 2025 | 33