Performance Calendar for December 20 – December 31, 2024
Concert News Airs Monday-Friday around 8am with Brent Stevens.
Santa Fe Desert Chorale Presents:
A Rose in Winter
Joshua Habermann, artistic director
Elizabeth Young, violin
Nathan Salazar, piano
Experience the warmth, light, and beauty of the holiday season during the Desert Chorale’s 2024 Winter Festival. This year’s program reflects on the hope and wonder we experience this time of year, as miraculous as a flower blooming during the cold of December. Celebrate this festive time of year with familiar carols you know and love alongside new musical treasures to add to your collection of favorite seasonal tunes.
On Friday December 20th, & Saturday, December 21st, 7pm, and Sunday, December 22nd, 4pm & 7:30pm at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. Tickets and information at desertchorale.org.
Fever Presents:
Christmas Special featuring The Nutcracker
Tentative Program includes:
Claude Debussy, The Snow is Dancing
Traditional Hanukkah Song, Ma’oz Tzur
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, music from The Nutcracker, Op. 71 & The Seasons, Op. 37a
Émile Waldteufel, The Skaters Waltz, Op. 183 (Les Patineurs)
Traditional, Greensleeves (What Child is This)
Adolphe Adam, O Holy Night
Vivaldi, The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 4 RV 297: Winter
Music performed by the Listeso Quartet by candlelight.
On Saturday, December 21st, 7pm at the Clyde Hotel, 330 Tijeras Ave NW in Albuquerque. Information and tickets at feverup.com.
New Mexico Philharmonic Presents:
Handel’s Messiah
Celebrate the holiday season with the world’s most beloved sacred symphonic work. An intimate performance by the New Mexico Philharmonic—conducted by Bradley Ellingboe, with the extraordinary Luminare choir.
On Friday, December 20th 7:30pm at First United Methodist Church, 314 Lead Ave SW in Albuquerque and Saturday, December 21st, 7:30 at V. Sue Cleveland High School, 4800 Cleveland Heights Rd in Rio Rancho. Tickets and information at nmphil.org.
Bishop’s Lodge Presents:
Gustavo Pimentel
A master of the guitar, Gustavo plays what he calls New Mexican Spanish Art Music, which includes jazz, flamenco, pop, Spanish and classical.
On Saturdays, December 21st & 28th, 5-8pm at Bishop’s Lodge Skyfire Restaurant & Lounge, 1297 Bishop’s Lodge Rd in Santa Fe. Information at gustavopimentel.net.
Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera Present:
Carols & Cookies
An afternoon of holiday musical favorites with cookie decorating at Iconik Coffee Roasters! Cookie decorating starts at 1 pm, and caroling begins at 2:30 pm.
On Saturday, December 21st, at Iconik Lupe, 314 S Guadalupe St in Santa Fe.
Musica Antigua de Albuquerque Presents:
The Angels Sang with Mirth and Glee
Christmas concerts featuring both medieval and Renaissance works, with selections from various countries. Kathy Wimmer will be returning to read selections from period literature. The concert title comes from an anonymous poem “When Cryst was Born of Mary Fre,” from 1456.
On Saturday, December 21st, 4:30pm at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 550 W San Mateo in Santa Fe. And Sunday, December 22nd, 4:30pm at St. Michael & All Angels Church, 601 Montaño NW in Albuquerque. Information and tickets at musica-antigua.org.
Schola Cantorum of Santa Fe Presents:
I Sing the Birth
A Christmas concert of ancient and contemporary carols, along with upbeat Christmas “villancicos” of Northern New Mexico!
On Sunday, December 22nd, 2pm at the Shrine of Our Lady de Guadalupe in Santa Fe. And on Monday, December 23rd, 5pm at La Luz de Las Noches at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, 715 Camino Lejo. There is no charge for either of these events. Everyone is welcome. Information at schola-sf.org.
Santa Fe Pro Musica Presents:
Cello Suites on Violin
A two-part musical event featuring Grammy Award-winning violinist Johnny Gandelsman performing Bach’s Cello Suites on violin.
On Friday, December 20th, 7:30pm in St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W Palace Ave in Santa Fe.
A Baroque Christmas
Santa Fe Pro Musica Bach Ensemble
Stephen Redfield, violin and leader
Clara Rottsolk, soprano
Brian Shaw, natural trumpet
Featured works:
Telemann, Trumpet Sonata in D Major
Bach, Concerto for Two Violins, BWV 1043 & Cantata 51
Handel, Adagio—Siciliana—Eternal Source of Light Divine—Let the Bright Seraphim
On Saturday, December 21st and Monday, December 23rd, 7:30pm and Sunday, December 22nd, 3pm in the St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art.
Bach Exploration for Families
Featuring the Pro Musica Bach Ensemble and Colin Jacobsen, violin and leader. Meet our artists, participate in lifelong learning, deepen your connections to music, and expand your classical music experiences.On Friday, December 27th, 10am in St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art. There is no charge for this event.
The Complete Brandenburg Concertos
Part I
Santa Fe Pro Musica Bach Ensemble
Colin Jacobsen, violin and leader
Featured works:
Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, No. 4, & No. 6
Kurtág, Hommage á Bach
Schnittke, Prelude in Memoriam Dmitri Shostakovich
Part II
Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, No. 3, No. 5
Gabriella Smith, Brandenburg Interstices
Part I on Saturday, December 28th, 7:30pm and Part II on Sunday, December 29th, 3pm in St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W. Palace Ave in Santa Fe. Information at tickets at sfpromusica.org.
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe Presents:
TGIF Concert Series
Travis Bregier, baritone
Debbie Wagner, piano
Featuring lively Christmas season favorites.
On Friday, December 20th, 5:30pm at First Presbyterian Church, 208 Grant Ave in Santa Fe. Doors to the sanctuary open at 5:15pm. There is no charge for this event though donations are accepted. information at fpcsantafe.org.
Performance Santa Fe Presents:
Kristin Chenoweth
Emmy® and Tony® Award winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth’s career spans film, television, voice-over and stage. She also has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
On Saturday, December 21st, 7:30pm at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco in Santa Fe. Tickets and information at performancesantafe.org.
The Roswell Symphony Presents:
Amahl & the Night Visitors
In a special Christmas Classics event, the Roswell Symphony Orchestra and Way Way Off Broadway present Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors.
On Sunday, December 22nd, 2:30pm in Pearson Auditorium in Roswell. Tickets and information at roswellsymphony.org.
Friends of Cathedral Music Presents:
Christmas Lessons & Carols
Starting off with a Choral Prelude sung by the Cathedral Choir with harpist, Emily Levin followed by the service. Emily Levin is the Principal Harpist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Bronze Medal Winner of the 9th USA International Harp Competition.
On Sunday, December 22nd, 3:30pm at the Cathedral of St. John, 318 Silver Ave SW in Albuquerque.
Christmas Eve
Begins at 4pm with a Christmas Pageant sung by the Cathedral Cherubs & Choristers. At 7:30, A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten with members of Schola, Cathedral Choir, & Choristers and accompanied by harpist, Emily Levin. At 8pm, Sung Eucharist with members of Schola, Cathedral Choir, & Choristers and accompanied by harpist, Emily Levin. At 10:30pm, Sonata da Chiesa by W. A. Mozart for organ and strings. Finishing at 11:00pm, Sung Eucharist with the Cathedral Choir and strings featuring Franz Schubert’s Mass in G.
On Tuesday, December 24th, 4pm at the Cathedral of St. John.
Christmas Day
A service of Christmas carols with organ.
On Wednesday, December 25th, 11am at the Cathedral of St. John, 318 Silver Ave SW in Albuquerque. Information at fcmabq.org.
First Unitarian Church Presents:
Holiday Classic Concert
Cecilia Violetta Lopez, a world-celebrated soprano, will perform some holiday favorites and classics. She has been named one of opera’s top 25 rising stars by Opera News. She will also share her story of her rise to fame as a Hispanic opera singer.
On Monday, December 23rd, 6pm at First Unitarian Church, 3701 Carlisle Blvd NE in Albuquerque. Tickets available at the door. This event is a fundraiser for social justice programs.
Santa Fe Symphony Presents:
The Symphony and Time for Three
Guillermo Figueroa, Music Director
The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra
Time for Three: Charles Yang, violin & vocals, Nicolas “Nick” Kendall, violin & vocals, & Ranaan Meyer, double bass & vocals
Featured works:
Leonard Bernstein, Overture to Candide
Guns ‘N’ Roses, Sweet Child of Mine
Steve Hackman, Vertigo
Time for Three, Prey, She Don’t Care, Joy, & This Life
Frankie Valli, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Hugh Martin & Ralph Blaine, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Monti, Csardas
Joni Mitchell, River
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, Happy Christmas
Leonard Cohen, Hallelujah
The Verve, Bittersweet Symphony
Time for Three is an outstanding trio, known for its charismatic performances that have been leaving audiences around the globe captivated. Standing at the intersection of Americana, modern pop, and classical music.
On Tuesday, December 24th, 12pm & 4pm at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco St in Santa Fe. Tickets and information at santafesymphony.org.
Cathedral Basilica of Santa Fe Presents:
Lessons and Carols followed by Midnight Mass
On Tuesday, December 24th, 11pm at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Bells of St. Francis
As part of the Cathedral Concert Series, Bob Miltenberger leads the Cathedral Basilica Handbell Choir.
On Sunday, December 29th, 2pm at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi,131 Cathedral Pl in Santa Fe. Information at cbsfa.org.
Opera Southwest Presents:
New Year’s With the Opera!
Clay Hilley, tenor
Sara Duchovnay, soprano
Accompanying the singers are the Opera Southwest Orchestra, the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, and the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. With a variety of opera favorites and light classics, there is something for everyone to ring in the New Year.
On Tuesday, December 31st, 2:30pm in the Journal Theatre at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St SW in Albuquerque. Tickets and information at operasouthwest.org.
The Lensic Performing Arts Center Presents:
Joe Illick & the New Year’s Eve Orchestra
Joe Illick’s superlative New Year’s Eve concerts have become a holiday tradition. Ring in 2025 with an unforgettable night of classical music featuring Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
On Tuesday, December 31st, 5pm at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco in Santa Fe. Tickets and information at lensic.org.