Pick of the Week
No Christmas celebration in Chicago would be complete without the “Do It Yourself Messiah,” a beloved holiday tradition here since 1976. Once again, Stanley Sperber will conduct vocal soloists, a volunteer orchestra and the audience-as-chorus. Hallelujah! 3 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph St.; $15; imfchicago.org
Apollo Chorus of Chicago: Stephen Alltop directs a yuletide tradition for most of the choir’s 135-year existence — Handel’s “Messiah,” with orchestra and vocal soloists. 3 p.m. Saturday, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.; $18-$80; 312-427-5620, 312-294-3000
Black Oak Ensemble: The Chicago group — Goran Ivanovic, guitar; Desiree Ruhstrat, violin; Aurelien Pederzoli, violin and viola; and David Cunliffe, cello — promises an eclectic music journey from Bach to the Balkans. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division; $13.50; blackoakensemble.com
Chicago a cappella: Guest music director Paul Nicholson leads a potpourri of Christmas carols, spirituals, Hanukkah songs and more. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nichols Concert Hall, 140 Chicago Ave., Evanston; 773-281-7820, chicagoacappella.org
Chicago Chamber Choir: The chorus under Timm Adams presents its annual “Carols by Candlelight” holiday singalong. 3 p.m. Saturday, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave., Evanston; and 4 p.m. Sunday, St. Paul United Church of Christ, 2335 N. Orchard; $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $10 for students; 312-409-6890, chicagochamberchoir.org
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Principal percussionist Cynthia Yeh is soloist for the CSO premiere of James MacMillan’s “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel.” Carlos Miguel Prieto also conducts Prokofiev’s “Lieutenant Kije” suite, Revueltas’ “Sensemaya” and Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra. 1:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $29-$216; 312-294-3000, cso.org
CSO “Welcome Yule”: It’s the 20th anniversary of Orchestra Hall’s family-friendly Christmas celebration, with old favorites sharing the program with new surprises. Duain Wolfe leads orchestra members, his Chicago Symphony Chorus, children’s choir, dancers and other ensembles. 7 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday-Tuesday; Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $35-$125; 312-294-3000, cso.org
CUBE Ensemble: The Chicago vocal trio Artemisia performs folk and sacred vocal music. 7:30 p.m. Friday, St. Josephat Church, 2311 N. Southport Ave.; 312-922-1426, cubeensemble.com
Light Opera Works: The tune-laden Lehar operetta returns in an English language adaptation starring Stacey Tappan and Larry Adams, conducted by Nyela Basney and directed and choreographed by artistic director Rudy Hogenmiller. Opens at 8 p.m. Friday and continues through Dec. 31, Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston; $34-$96, ages 21 and younger half-price; 847-920-5360, lightoperaworks.com
Lyric Opera — “Anna Bolena”: A new production of Donizetti’s bel canto masterpiece features Sondra Radvanovsky as the doomed Anne Boleyn, Jamie Barton as Jane Seymour and John Relyea as Henry VIII. Patrick Summers conducts. Through Jan. 16 at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; $34-$244; $20-$40 children; 312-827-5600, lyricopera.org
Lyric Opera — “Porgy and Bess”: Catfish Row comes alive in the Gershwins’ tuneful American classic. Ward Stare conducts, with Eric Owens and Adina Aaron in the title roles. Final performance, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; $34-$244, $20-$40 children; 312-827-5600, lyricopera.org
Music of the Baroque: Chorus master William Jon Gray directs the annual holiday brass and choral concerts. 8 p.m. Friday, St. Michael’s Church, 1633 N. Cleveland Ave.; and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Divine Word Chapel, 2001 Waukegan Road, Northbrook (Techny); $30-$90; 312-551-1414, baroque.org
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