Carolers of Minnesota composers
For a shot of home-state creativity, try this seasonal installment in the Schubert Club's year-round Courtroom Concert series. The program includes winter songs and carols by Minnesota-linked composers Libby Larsen, Bob Dylan, Linda Kachelmeier and Abbie Betinis, performed by a quartet of local soloists. (Noon Thu., Landmark Center Courtroom 317, St. Paul; 7:30 p.m. Thu., Central Presbyterian Church, St. Paul; free, schubert.org)
'A Tudor Christmas'
How did Christmas sound 500 years ago? The Rose Ensemble answers that question by cherry-picking festive music from the courts of English monarchs Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Lovers of Renaissance vocal music will relish the inclusion of works by William Byrd, Thomas Tallis, Robert Carver and Robert Johnson. Carols and dances of the period are also featured, in a slice of musical time travel to an earlier era. With 2018-19 being the Rose Ensemble's final season, this marks the group's last holiday program after more than two decades of curating this fascinating type of historical recital. (7 p.m. Thu., Pilgrim Congregational Church of Duluth, Duluth; 8 p.m. Fri., Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, St. Paul; 8 p.m. Sat., Basilica of St. Mary, Mpls.; 3 p.m. Sun., Church of the Holy Cross, Mpls.; $10-$38, roseensemble.org)
Mighty 'Messiah'
Handel's "Messiah" was not originally written to celebrate Christmas. But with its string of beautiful arias and rousing choruses — like the famous "Hallelujah" — the choral masterpiece has become a holiday staple. Leading the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's interpretation for 2018 is baroque specialist Jeannette Sorrell, founder of Cleveland's Apollo's Fire ensemble. Expect a lithe, historically aware performance with Twin Cities-based guest choir the Singers. (7:30 p.m. Thu. & 8 p.m. Fri., Basilica of St. Mary, Mpls.; 8 p.m. Sat., & 2 p.m. Sun., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; $5-$50, 651-291-1144 or thespco.org)
'Beauty in the Darkness'
Here's the perfect antidote for the bright lights and overcommercialization of Christmas: "Beauty in the Darkness: Music for the Longest Night of the Year," offered by the four-woman Lumina vocal ensemble. Chill out to music from the Renaissance period to the present, with some traditional Christmas tunes thrown in for good measure. (7 p.m. Fri., Our Lady of Presentation Chapel, Carondelet Center, St. Paul; 7:30 p.m. Sat., St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Mpls.; $10, luminawomen sensemble.com)
'A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols'
Anyone can be touched by the special ambience of this event, featuring the story of Christ's birth told through music and biblical readings. The "Night Lessons" format was invested in Truro, England, during the Victorian era. But it didn't become popular until King's College, Cambridge started broadcasting it to global audiences in 1928. The choir of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral presents its own version led by Cambridge-educated music director Ray Johnston. (7:30 p.m. Fri. & 5 p.m. Sun., St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Mpls.; free, ourcathedral.org)
TERRY BLAIN
