December (2012) is . . .
The weather outside is ?? but the fire is still
delightful as December dawns in Cincinnati.
There are concerts this month by the Cincinnati Pops, Vocal Arts
Ensemble, Chamber Music Cincinnati, tenor Marco Panuccio, Cincinnati Chamber
Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and May Festival Chorus.
The chamber ensemble concert:nova leads off with "The
So-Called Laws of Nature" at the Cincinnati Arts Museum and you can raise
a glass with the Pops New Year's Eve.
Make your list and check it twice:
Cincinnati Ballet
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
"The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky
Dec. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 -- 7:30 p.m.
Dec, 15, 22 -- 2 p.m.
Dec. 16, 23 -- 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Aronoff Center for the Arts
Cincinnati Ballet teams up with the CSO for Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker," choreographed by Ballet artistic director Victoria Morgan, with scenic design by John Ezell and costumes by Carrie Robbins. Carmon DeLeone conducts. Tickets begin at $31. Order at (513) 621-5282, or online at cballet.org.
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"Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menotti
Mischa Santora, conductor
Madcap Puppets
Dec. 21 -- 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 22 -- 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 -- 2 p.m.
Gallagher Student Center Theater
Xavier University
The CCO and Madcap Puppet Theater join forces for four performances of "Amahl and the Night Visitors." Menotti's warm-hearted tale of a crippled shepherd boy and his mother who are visited by the Three Wisemen on their way to Bethlehem returns to Cincinnati in a brand new incarnation with Madcap's giant puppets. Singing Amahl will be Doug Hansford, with Deborah Nansteel as The Mother, Brad Raymond as King Kaspar, Errik Hood as King Melchoir, Gustav Andreassen as King Balthazar and Thomas Dreeze as the Page. Also performing will be the Xavier University Edgecliff Ensemble, Tom Merrill, director, and members of the Vocal Arts Ensemble Note: Come 45 minutes early to hear Cincinnati orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Sammarco share memories of performing Amahl in early performances of the work during the 1950s. Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors and students, $10 for children. Call (513) 723-1182 x 102 or order online at www.ccocincinnati.org
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Knox Music Series
"L'Enfance du Christ" by Hector Berlioz
Dec. 23 -- 4 p.m.
Knox Presbyterian Church
Michigan and Observatory Avenues, Hyde Park
Berlioz' oratorio "L'Enfance du Christ" ("The Childhood of Christ") is an atypical piece by the French romantic composer, known for splashy romantic works like "Symphonie fantastique" and "The Damnation of Faust" and his opera "The Trojans." Small and intimate by comparison, hear it matched to size at Knox Church, with the Knox Choir and guest orchestra, guest soloists Theresa Merrill (mezzo-soprano, singing the role of Mary), James Onstad and Daniel Ross (tenors, sharing the role of the Narrator and the Centurion), Jonathan Stinson (baritone, as Joseph and Polydorus) and Claude Cassion (bass, as the Father). Bass Kenneth Shaw, faculty artist at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, will sing King Herod. Admission free. A free-will offering will be collected. Information at www.knox.org
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Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
New Year's Eve 2012, "A Night at the Moulin Rouge."
John Morris Russell, conductor
Natalie Choquette, soprano
Dec. 31 -- 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's annual New Year's Eve gala, to be led by Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russell, has a French theme this year. Hear "La Vie en Rose," "Can-Can" from Jacques Offenbach's "Gaite Parisienne," "Les oiseaux dans la charmille" from Puccini's "La Boheme," "Je vieux vivre" from Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette," selections from "Gigi" and "Cabaret" and more. The concert will be followed by a gala ball in the Music Hall Ballroom, with dinner, dancing, a silent auction and midnight champagne toast. Tickets for the concert begin at $10. Tickets for the concert and ball begin at $185. Call (5123) 381-3300, or order online at www.cincinnatisymphony.org
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Events below this line have taken place.
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concert:nova
Concert:nova Percussion Quartet
MamLuft&Co.Dance
Dec. 2 -- 2 p.m.
Dec. 4 -- 7 p.m.
Cincinnati Art Museum
Put your thinking cap on for this one, which has philosophical undertones, as
well as music and dance. The music is all-percussion, the Concert:nova
Percussion Quartet -- Erica Drake, Matt Hawkins, Jeff Luft and Patrick
Schleker -- performing "The Persistence of Past Chemistries"
by Charles Griffin, David Lang's "the so-called laws of nature,"
parts II and III; "Musique de Tables" by Thierry de Mey; "Trio
per Uno," movement 1, by Nebojsa Zivkovic; and Paul Lansky's
"Threads," movements 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9. Dancers from MamLuft&Co.Dance
will perform. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, students $10.
Available at (513) 739-6682 or visit www.concertnova.com
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Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
Bonus free concert
"Sonic Seasonings"
Christopher Philpotts, oboe
Mischa Santora, conductor
Dec. 2 -- 2 p.m.
St. Catherine of Siena Church
2848 Fischer Pl. Westwood
This free concert by the CCO features principal oboist Christopher Philpotts.
CCO music director Mischa Santora will conduct. On the program are the Concerto
Grosso, Op. 3, No. 4, by Handel; "Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin
Britten" by Arvo Pärt; Concerto No. 2 for Oboe and Strings by Albinoni;
"Valse Triste" by Sibelius; Canzonetta for Oboe and Strings by
Samuel Barber; Two Elegiac Melodies by Grieg; and "Hungarian Rondo"
by Zoltan Kodaly. Premium setting reserved for season subscribers.
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Cincinnati Boychoir
Carol Sing and Silent Auction
Dec. 2 -- 4 p.m.
Crest view Presbyterian Church
9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Rd. (Rte. 42)
West Chester
Holiday music sung by the Cincinnati Boychoir. Admission $5.
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"Opera Fusion: New Works"
"Morning Star" by Ricky Ian Gordon and William M. Hoffman
Dec. 4 -- 7:30 p.m.
Memorial Hall
Dec. 5 -- 8 p.m.
Cohen Family Studio Theater
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
"Opera Fusion" is a collaboration between Cincinnati Opera and
the opera department of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of
Music, designed to workshop new works. "Morning Star" by
Ricky Ian Gordon, with libretto by William M. Hoffman, is the story
of sisters set against the backdrop of the tragic Triangle Shirt Factory fire
of 1911. The performances will be directed by Ron Daniels and conducted
by Steven White, with piano accompaniment by Carol Walker and Lydia
Brown. Admission is free, but reservations must be made in advance. Call
(513) 556-4163 or (513) 241-2742.
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Cincinnati Boychoir
"Peace and Perspective"
Christopher Eanes, director
Dec. 7 -- 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 -- 4 p.m.
Memorial Hall
Hear old and new works from solstice celebrations around the world. Tickets are $10. $7 for students and seniors, at the door.
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Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
"Holiday Pops"
Amy Grant , vocalist
John Morris Russell, conductor
Dec. 7 and 8 -- 8 p.m.
Dec. 9 -- 2 p.m.
Music Hall
Multi-platinum/Grammy-winning vocalist Amy Grant joins JMR and
the Pops for an evening of holiday favorites and music from
her Christmas albums. Note: This concert is sold out. Further
information at www.cincinnatipops.org.
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Dec. 7 -- 9 p.m. - midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
Elm and Court Streets
downtown
The Washington Platform Friday Night Jazz Series
presents "Papa Loves Mambo," featuring electric and acoustic
contemporary Latin jazz . Brian Bachelor Glader, keyboards; Sandy Suskind,
flute; Michael Sharfe, acoustic and electric bass; and Phil Tipton, drums.
Music of Herbie Hancock, Clare Fischer, Stevie Wonder, Mongo Santamaria, Mark
Lavine, Antonio Carlos Jobim and American Jazz Composers Samba, Bossa,
fusion and others. No cover. $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open until
11 p.m. Call (513) 421-0110.
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University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Dec. 8 -- 5 p.m.
Dec. 9 -- 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium
Hear a feast of carols sung by a feast of choirs, including the CCM Chamber Choir and Chorale, UC Men's and Women's Choruses, Cincinnati Children's Choir, May Festival Youth Chorus, School for Creative and Performing Arts Chorale and Winton Woods Varsity Ensemble. The grand finale will include all of them, over 300 voices, with the CCM Concert Orchestra. Conductors will include Earl Rivers, Brett Scott, Olga Artemov, Michael Fuchs, Robyn Lana, James Bagwell, David Bell and Laurie Wyant. Tickets are $12, $ for non-UC students, UC students free. Call (513) 556-4183, or order online at www.ccm.uc.edu
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Musica Sacra
"Christmas with Musica Sacra"
Helmut Roehrig, conductor
Dec 9 -- 3 p.m.
Our Lord Christ the King Church
Linwood Ave. and Ellison Rd.
Mt. Lookout
Annual Christmas concert by the Musica Sacra Choir led by
founder/director Helmut Roehrig, emeritus professor of music, Xavier
University. Admission is free. Donations accepted.
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Bach Vespers at St. Thomas
Cincinnati Bach Choir and Bach Ensemble
Carlton Monroe, director
Dec. 9 -- 4 p.m.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
100 Miami Ave.
Terrace Park
The Cincinnati Bach Choir and Bach Ensemble directed by Carlton Monroe performs music by Bach in the context of the Episcopal service of Evensong several times a year. This service for the Advent season includes Bach’s Cantata No. 62, “Nun komm der Heiden Heiland” and "Zion hört die Wachter singen" from Cantata 140; Lied ohne Worte, Op. 32 by Oscar Franz, featuring French hornist Elizabeth Freimuth; “There is no Rose” by Stephen Caracciolo; and “Pilgrim’s Hymn” by Stephen Paulus. Soloists are soprano Amanda Bower, alto Sarah Jackson, tenor Anthony Beck and bass William McGraw. Open to the public. Free will offering. For information about Bach Vespers visit bachvespers.wordpress.com. Further information at http://www.stthomasepiscopal.org
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Oberlin Baroque Ensemble
"Music of the German Baroque"
Dec. 9 -- 5 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral
downtown
Musicians of the Oberlin Baroque Ensemble -- Marilyn McDonald,
baroque violin; Catharina Meints, viola da gamba; and Webb Wiggins,
harpsichord and organ -- perform German baroque music: Canzona prima á due.
Soprano and Basso, by Bartolomé de Selma y Salaverde; Sonata No. 4 in A Minor
by Johannes Schenk; Suite No. 1 in E Minor by Johann Jakob Froberger; Sonata
No. 6 in C Minor by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber; and Sonata No. 3 in A
Minor, Op. 1, BuxWV 254, by Dietrich Buxtehude. Admission is free.
Information at www.christchurchcincinnati.org.
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Chamber Music Cincinnati
Claremont Trio
Dec. 11 -- 7:30 p.m.
Werner Recital Hall
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Winner of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson International Trio Award, the Claremont
Trio is also the only trio ever to win the Young Concert Artists
International Auditions. Their program for Chamber Music Cincinnati comprises Beethoven's
Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1, the Piano Trio in E Minor, Op. 67, by
Dmitri Shostakovich and Mendelssohn's Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 66.
Tickets are $25, at the door, call (513) 581-6877, or order online at www.cincychamber.org
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Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
"Favorite Carols of our Presidents"
Dec. 6 -- 7 p.m.
Parkside Christian Church, 6986 Salem Rd.
Dec. 9 -- 3 p.m.
Springfield Township Community Center, 9158 Winton Rd.
Dec. 13 -- 7 p.m.
Christ's Church at Mason, 5165 Western Row Rd.
The Cincinnati Civic Orchestra performs carols beloved by America's presidents,
including "Adeste Fidelis," "We Three Kings" and "The
Little Drummer Boy," as well as "Festive Sounds of Hanukah" and
"A Christmas Festival." Admission is free. Information at (513)
861-9978.
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Society for the Preservation of Music Hall
"Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer"
Mark Herman, organ
Dec. 13 -- 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Music Hall Ballroom
Theater organist Mark Herman, 2004 American Theatre Organ Society
Organist of the Year, performs holiday music on the "Mighty
Wurlitzer." Now situated in the Music Hall Ballroom, the "Mighty
Wurlitzer" began its storied life in the former Albee Theater in downtown
Cincinnati. From there, it was moved to the Emery Center auditorium and finally
to Music Hall. Joining Herman in carol singing will be the Children's
Choir of the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Admission is $25, $20
for students, seniors and groups of ten or more. Tickets available at the Music
Hall and Aronoff Center ticket offices, call (513) 621-2787, or visit www.CincinnatiArts.org
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"O Holy Night"
Marco Panuccio, tenor
Dec. 14 -- 8 p.m.
Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral
Marco Panuccio, Cincinnati's favorite tenor (and increasingly popular
worldwide), will perform holiday songs at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, fourth
stop in a five-state tour of the show. Hear the world premiere of "Beatus
Es" by Richard Arnest, the Midwest premiere of Gerald Finzi's "Dies
Natalis." Also "Comfort Ye" and "Every Valley" from
Handel's "Messiah," "Ave Maria" by Massenet,"
"Thankful" by David Foster, "Sancta Maria" by Mascagni,
"Le repos de la sainte famille" from Berlioz' "L'enfance du Christ,
and of course, "O Holy Night." Joining him will be pianist Julie
Spangler, organist Blake Callahan and a chamber orchestra led by Isaac Selya.
Tickets are $30, $15 for students, available at (513) 421-222 and online at www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Dec. 14 -- 9 p.m. - midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
Elm and Court Streets
downtown
The Washington Platform Friday Night Jazz Series presents Trio Pi + 1.
Specialists in Latin Jazz, the group will play tunes from their new CD Eclypso.
Performing will be Sandy Suskind (flute), Michael Sharfe
(bass), Jim Leslie (drums and percussion), and special guest for this
evening, Wayne Yeager (keyboard). Music starts at 9:00. No cover.
$10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open until 11 p.m. Call (513) 421-0110.
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Christmas Saengerfest
Dec. 14 -- 6-10 p.m. (hourly performances)
Dec. 15 -- 5-9 p.m. (hourly performances)
Over-the-Rhine churches
Memorial Hall
Christian Morlein Brewery
This neighborhood event was inspired by Cincinnati's Saengerfest
tradition and by the success of last summer's World Choir Games. More
than a dozen area choirs will perform in neighborhood churches and Memorial
Hall during the two-event, including the Young Professionals' Choral
Collective, Hyde Park United Methodist Church Choir, Cincinnati Men's Chorus,
Cincinnati Boychoir, Martin Luther King Chorale, MUSE Cincinnati Women's Choir,
School for Creative and Performing Arts Primary Select Choir and
Cincinnati Sound Chorus. Venues include Saint Francis Seraph, First
Lutheran Church and Nast Trinity United Methodist Church. The Queen
City Concert Band will perform and CCM graduate student Matthew Swanson
will conduct Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" with
fellow students, harpist Frances Cobb and soprano Esther Kang,
both on Saturday in Memorial Hall. The yp/CC will perform at Christian
Morlein Brewery. Tickets are $15 per day in advance, $20 per day on site
(if available). For information and tickets, visit http://www.christmassaengerfest.com
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Cincinnati Children's Choir
Robyn Lana, conductor
Dec. 15 -- 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
The Cincinnati Children's Choir, including its six resident choirs,
six satellite choirs and newly formed Parent's Choir (over 450 singers),
share this holiday marathon at CCM's Corbett Auditorium. The concert
inaugurates the choir’s 20th anniversary. Founder/director Robyn Lana will
conduct. The choirs will be joined by the Cincinnati Collaborative Ringing
Project and guest artists Jennifer Noel, soprano, Sofija Tasic,
harp, and Jan Corrothers, organ. Tickets are $12 for each concert. Call
(513) 556-4183 or order online at www.ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice
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Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra
William White, conductor
Dec. 15 -- 7 p.m.
Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
The Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra presents its first concert of
the season with music designed to show off the orchestra as a whole, as
well as concerto movements by members of the CSYO. The program, to be
led by William White, assistant conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra, includes: Dvorak, "Carnival Overture;" Humperdinck, three
excerpts from "Hansel and Gretel;" Giovanni Bottesini, Concerto No. 2
for Contrabass and Orchestra (Moderato) featuring CSYO bassist Carl
Anderson; Tchaikovsky, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (Allegro
Moderato) featuring CSYO violinist Matthew Hilvert; Rimsky-Korsakov,
"Capriccio Espagnol" and Arturo Marquez, "Danzon" No. 2. Tickets are
$10, $8 for students and seniors. Call (513) 381-3300 or order online at
www.cincinnatisymphony.org/csyo
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Handel. "Messiah"
May Festival Chorus
Jane Glover, guest conductor
Dec. 15 -- 7:30 p.m.
Christ's Church at Mason
Dec. 16 -- 2 p.m.
Music Hall
Guest conductor/baroque specialist Jane Glover leads the CSO and May Festival Chorus in their annual performance of Handel's "Messiah." Tickets begin at $10. Call (513) 381-3300, or order online at www.cincinnatisymphony.org
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Vocal Arts EnsembleCincinnati Boychoir
"A Candlelit Christmas"
Christopher Eanes, conductor
Dec. 15 -- 7:30 p.m.
St. Boniface Catholic Church
1750 Chase Ave., Northside
Dec. 16 -- 5 p.m.
St. Frances de Sales Church
1600 Madison Rd., East Walnut Hills
The Vocal Arts Ensemble joins with the Cincinnati Boychoir, the VAE's artistic partner for the 2012-2013 season, in holiday music by candle light. Boychoir director Christopher Eanes will conduct. Tickets are $25 and $20, $10 for students, available by calling (513) 559-0000, or order online at www.vaecinci.org
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
Dec. 21 -- 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Washington Platform Restaurant
Elm and Court Streets
downtown
Cincinnati Guitarist Jack Broad is the featured artist this week at Washington Platform's Friday night series. Jack has been living and playing in New York City since 2001 and is home for the holidays. Joining him will be Tony Franklin on Drums, Chris Barrick on vibes and Michael Sharfe on Bass. No cover. $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open until 11 p.m. Call (513) 421-0110.
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