Live From London: Christmas, VOCES8 Foundation, streaming, 1st December to 6th January 2021
Vocal octet VOCES8 have assembled a Christmas series that brings together ensembles of all sizes and styles—from early music groups I Fagiolini and the Tallis Scholars to American a capella gospel singers Take 6 and Irish chamber choir ANUNA. There will be carols and close harmony from VOCES8 themselves, the London Adventist Chorale and Apollo5, but also Bach’s complete Christmas Oratorio.
Pauline Viardot’s Cinderella, Northern Opera Group, streaming 12th December
Pauline Viardot studied the piano with Liszt, regularly played duets with Chopin and was also an acclaimed 19th-century mezzo-soprano and composer. Viardot’s operatic adaptation of the Cinderella story is gossamer-light and glittering with bel canto virtuosity. This Christmas catch a rare staging by the Northern Opera Group, whose new opera-film directed by Sophie Gilpin will be shot on location in Leeds and available to stream throughout December.
Handel’s Messiah, The Academy of Ancient Music, Barbican, 19th December
We’ve taken performances of Handel’s Messiah for granted. But this year everything is different, and the chance to hear this exhilarating and colourful score live with a full baroque orchestra and choir is suddenly precious. This Messiah from the Academy of Ancient Music and music director Richard Egarr has a bulging wishlist of soloists, including countertenor Iestyn Davies and bass Ashley Riches. Christmas starts here. The performance will be streamed.
