Get in tune with Yuletide season
You (probably) don’t hate Christmas songs. You just hate how they are delivered. When they’re overly corny or sappy, the life can be pulled from the music. But put the Christmas catalog in the hands of experts and you get something grand.
Celebrate the season and the songs at one of Boston’s upcoming concerts delivered by masters of pop, soul, rock, baroque, classical and klezmer. Boston Tuba Christmas Concert, Saturday, Faneuil Hall Marketplace — Yup, it’s dozens of tubas doing holiday jams. Yup, it’s free. And, this being the 33nd annual event, it’s officially a Boston tradition. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” Nov. 29-30, Symphony Hall — Handel doesn’t have a lock on the holiday. Ol’ J.S. Bach wrote this little number for the Christmas of 1734. Conductor Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra bake it up fresh for 2018. bso.org.
Handel’s “Messiah,” Dec. 1-3, Symphony Hall — The Handel and Haydn Society has been doing this a long time. Founded in Boston in 1815, nobody rocks a “Hallelujah” chorus like this ensemble. handelandhaydn.org
Boston Pops, Dec. 5-24, Symphony Hall — This is it, folks, the big one. Keith Lockhart and his orchestra make the yuletide gay with hits and new twists on old favorites. bso.org
Darlene Love, Dec. 8, the Cabot, Beverly; Dec. 14, Chevalier Theatre, Medford — Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is the rock era’s greatest Christmas carol. Sure, I dig that Mariah Carey song as much as the next guy, but c’mon. Love is the yuletide queen. Oh, and the rest of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s catalog is pretty
great, too. thecabot.org; chevaliertheatre.com
Back Bay Ringers, Dec. 8-16, various locations — No, they don’t just do “Carol of the Bells.” This year the ensemble digs into selections from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” backbayringers.org Jewel’s Handmade Holiday Tour, Dec. 12, Chevalier Theatre, Medford — Don’t go doubting Jewel’s holiday bonafides. The singer released her first Christmas album way back in 1999. chevaliertheatre.com “A Baroque Christmas,” Dec. 13 and 16, Jordan Hall — The Handel and Haydn Society do all the hits from Vivaldi to Bach to Corelli. handelandhaydn.org The Tenors’ “Home for the Holidays,” Dec. 19, the Wilbur — The Canadian vocal supergroup has performed for everyone: four presidents, millions of viewers watching the XXI Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony, Queen Elizabeth at her Diamond Jubilee. Oh, and Oprah! Now they are here to do pop and classical selections just for you. thewilbur.com Seventh annual Spectacular Gift Drive for DCF Wonderfund, Dec. 20, Once, Somerville — It is wonderful to see When Particles Collide and Salem Wolves on the bill. But the real sugar plum will be Hail Santa, a supergroup led by the irrepressible Chip Nicolai doing sweet and campy seasonal songs. Bring an unwrapped toy and spread some joy. oncesomerville.com
The Klezwoods, Dec. 23, Atwood’s, Cambridge — A welcome break from the classical and pop standards, this hip, local outfit delivers Balkan beats and old-world folk at its 12th annual show. Expect a blend of strings, horns and percussion exploring traditional klezmer and modern sounds. atwoodstavern.com
“Jewmongous,” Dec. 24, Club Passim, Cambridge — Jewish comic and singer Sean Altman (of “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” fame) has created a tradition as enduring as a Dec. 25 visit to a Chinese restaurant and trip to the movies. passim.org — jed.gottlieb@bostonherald.com