We’re deep into holiday music season, Messiah and all. But that’s just one aspect of our concert offerings this week, which also bring a new Opera Philadelphia production and a pair of promising concerts from the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Next week, we’ll have a special edition of Fanfare, featuring our classical hosts’ Best of 2025. Then comes a holiday break, and we’ll be back at the top of the new year.
Spotlight: Opera Philadelphia: The Seasons — Friday through Sunday, Perelman Theater
Opera Philadelphia general director Anthony Roth Costanzo stars in a pastiche that he dreamed up with the playwright Sarah Ruhl. The title plays on Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons concertos, but instead the score makes modern and relevant use of dazzling and neglected operatic arias by the celebrated Venetian master. The scenario directly references climate change, depicting our traditional seasons in disarray: a fascinating concept for a stage production that promises atmospheric effects designed by an MIT technologist, plus choreography and a children’s chorus.
Dec. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m., Dec 21 at 2 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, sold out; tickets and information.
Matthew Polenzani and Ken Noda — Tuesday, Perelman Theater
The celebrated lyric tenor Matthew Polenzani is so busy on opera stages that a recital is a relatively rare occurrence for him. That makes this Philadelphia Chamber Music Society offering an essential event. Half the program focuses on Schubert’s poignant cycle Schwanengesang (“Swan Song”). One of his very last works, it’s an achingly beautiful evocation of love found and, all too soon, forever lost. The other half is quite a contrast, devoted to Italian songs and arias from Donizetti to Verdi to Tosti. The whole is a testimony to Polenzani’s versatility. He’s joined by a sensitive collaborator, longtime Metropolitan Opera vocal coach and virtuoso pianist Ken Noda.
Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, $32; tickets and information.
Mark Steinberg and Jonathan Biss — Thursday, Perelman Theater
Another special pairing from PCMS. Violinist Mark Steinberg, of the distinguished Brentano Quartet, and pianist Jonathan Biss, co-artistic director of the Marlboro Festival and School, devote their recital to sonatas for violin and piano by Mozart. Expect an insightful and absorbing evening from two artists of deep and broad chamber music experience.
Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, $32; tickets and information.
Tempesta di Mare: Handel’s Messiah — Thursday through Dec. 21, various locations
Everywhere you look this Christmas season, there’s another Messiah. That’s no reason to complain, as Handel’s enduring oratorio shines in varying interpretive approaches. Philadelphia’s sterling baroque orchestra is well-positioned for an entry featuring period instruments and performance practice. They team up with a Wilmington-based choir (Christ Church Christiana Hundred) and a quartet of soloists with impressive Baroque performance credentials, for performances in Chestnut Hill, Center City, and Wilmington.
Dec. 18 through Dec. 21, $35-$55; locations, times, and ticket options are available here.
Looking Ahead:
Philadelphia Orchestra: Disney’s Fantasia in Concert — Jan 2–4, Marian Anderson Hall
Everyone who has seen this 1940 animated classic film remembers favorite moments: Mickey Mouse as an overextended Sorcerer's Apprentice in Dukas’ classic symphonic fairy tale; the deliciously ridiculous sight of hippos and ostriches waltzing to Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours; or an elaborate scenario from classical mythology to accompany Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony No. 6; among other treats. The animation is a wonder, and the musical performances are likely to meet its standard, with today’s Fabulous Philadelphians playing live to recreate the score that was originally performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra of 85 years ago. Though this presentation is part of the Orchestra’s Family Discovery Series, there’s no requirement to bring a child. If this is one of your favorites, just give in and be the kid yourself for a few hours.
Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m., Jan 3 and 4 at 2 p.m., Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, $43-$149; tickets and information.
