Holiday Performances in Long Beach
When thinking of the holidays, it’s easy to go right to the gift-giving, feast-eating or light-sparkling, and forget that it is also a time when we enjoy some of our most cherished art performances, whether it be music, dancing or drama. That will all be taking place in Long Beach over the next few weeks – here’s a Christmas list of great performances!
A BAROQUE CHRISTMAS, MUSICA ANGELICA
Now in its 30th season, Musica Angelica remains one of the country’s foremost historical performance ensembles. Led by world-renowned organist, Martin Haselbock, Musica Angelica musicians plays on instruments authentic to the baroque period, or carefully crafted replicas. This performance, which takes place December 3 (7:30 p.m.) at the Beverly O’Neill Theater (300 East Ocean Blvd.) will include some classical heavyweights, including Bach’s “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen,” Mozart’s “Sub Tuum Praesidium” and Hayden’s “Jesu Redemptor Omnium,” as well as Vivaldi’s Christmas Concerto.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT, LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE
Long Beach City College’s Performing Arts department presents its Winter Choir Concert, featuring Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols. Carols by Candlelight takes place December 10 (7 p.m.) in the Campus Auditorium, Building J (4901 E. Carson St.) The performance will feature the LBCC Viking Singers, the Viking A Cappella Madrigal Choir, the Viking Chorale and several featured vocal soloists.
THE NUTCRACKER, LONG BEACH BALLET
This is the 40th anniversary of what has come to be known as the nation’s best loved Nutcracker. Produced and performed by the Long Beach Ballet, the devotion people have for this particular production of the Tchaikovsky classic is that LB Ballet Artistic Director David Wilcox tends to pull out all the stops on the production. This year’s performance at the Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E. Ocean Blvd.) is no different, as the production, which runs from December 16-18 and December 22-23, will feature a full orchestra, flying sleigh, a live horse, plenty of on-stage pyrotechnics and a cast of more than 200.
HOLIDAY POPS, LONG BEACH SYMPHONY
The Long Beach Symphony, under the direction of conductor Morihiko Nakahara, will perform a full program of holiday favorites that’s sure to make for a festive evening. As in the past, the symphony will be joined by the Long Beach Camerata Singers, which will not only sing along with the musicians, but help to lead the audience with a full program of holiday sing-along favorites. The one-time performance takes place December 17 (8 p.m.) at the Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E. Ocean Blvd.) It promises to be a most wonderful time.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH, LONG BEACH CAMERATA SINGERS
The Camerata Singers are the choral partner not only for the Long Beach Symphony but Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra. But, on this night, it’s all about Camerata as it performs, for the 15th year, one of the great and most popular musical classics. The one-time performance takes place December 22 (7:30 p.m.) at the Beverly O’Neill Theater (300 E. Ocean Blvd.) Sing Hallelujah, it promises to be an unforgettable time!
