Kansas City Christmas: ‘Nutcracker,’ ‘Messiah,’ tubas, more. Plus: DiDonato onscreen

I have a sleigh-full of holiday concerts to tell you about, but first something for the opera buffs.

Joyce DiDonato’s legion of hometown fans will not want to miss a live HD screening of “The Hours” from the Metropolitan Opera in New York on Dec. 10 at the AMC Town Center 20.

The opera, by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts, is based on Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel that became an Oscar-winning film, about three women facing emotional struggles. In addition to DiDonato, “The Hours” stars two other great divas, Renée Fleming and Kelli O’Hara. Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

(While we’re mentioning DiDonato, the Prairie Village native’s album “Eden” was recently nominated for the Grammy Award for best classical solo vocal album. The awards will be presented Feb. 5.)

12:55 p.m. Dec. 10. AMC Town Center 20, 11701 Nall Ave. $24. metopera.org/season/in-cinemas

Kansas City Ballet — ‘The Nutcracker’

There are a multitude of “Nutcrackers” in the world, and I have seen many of them on DVD, but Devon Carney’ s version for the Kansas City Ballet is one of the best.

As could be seen in his recent “Giselle,” Carney is steeped in the classical tradition, but he also knows how to take full advantage of the technical razzle-dazzle available to him at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre. This combination of refined classicism with cutting edge technology is pure magic.

You and your family have many opportunities to be dazzled by Carney’s “Nutcracker”:

Various times Dec. 7-24. Muriel Kauffman Theatre, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. $34-$149. 816-931-8993 or kcballet.org.

Kansas City Symphony — Handel’s ‘Messiah’

Handel’s sacred oratorios are some of the greatest achievements of classical music, and hands down the most popular is “Messiah.” The Kansas City Symphony led by Christopher Allen and the Kansas City Symphony Chorus directed by Charles Bruffy will present Handel’s masterpiece Dec. 9 through 11 at Helzberg Hall. “Messiah” is an ideal blend of choruses and virtuoso solos. This year’s soloists are soprano Zoe Allen, mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, tenor Alek Shrader and baritone Levi Hernandez.

7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 and 2 p.m. Dec. 11. Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. $35-$115. 816-471-0400 or kcsymphony.org.

Harriman-Jewell Series — Voctave

Voctave is a Florida-based vocal ensemble that has a ginormous following on social media. Their videos have received over 150 million views. One can understand why. This rather largish group of 11 singers puts out a fantastic sound, and the arrangements are spot on. The concert is sure to be filled with Christmas favorites and Disney songs, a Voctave specialty.

7 p.m. Dec. 9. Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St. $12.50-$75. 816-415-5025 or hjseries.org.

Musica Sacra

Musica Sacra’s annual Christmas concert is always something special. Led by Timothy McDonald, the choir and orchestra perform beloved traditional carols, as well as rare gems for the season. For example, Musica Sacra will perform Vivaldi’s Gloria, RV 589 and Magnificat by the 18th century Neapolitan composer Francesco Durante, not exactly standard concert fare.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Arrupe Hall Auditorium, Rockhurst University, 1100 Rockhurst Road. Free. rockhurst.edu/center-arts-letters/musica-sacra

The Kansas City Chorale’s ‘A Chorale Family Christmas’

Kansas City Chorale’s “A Chorale Family Christmas” has become a beloved tradition. The affable Charles Bruffy conducts the chorale and serves as good-natured emcee for a concert of holiday classics. With Bruffy at the helm, you know you’re in for a concert filled with joy, generosity of spirit and a lot of fun.

1 p.m. Dec. 10. St. Michael the Archangel, 14251 Nall Ave. $5-$10. kcchorale.org.

Heartland Men’s Chorus — ’Tis the Season: A Holiday Spectacular!

The Heartland Men’s Chorus has the perfect recipe for a holiday concert: Take some tinseled silliness and combine it with some sublime singing and the result is pure entertainment. This year’s offering, “’Tis the Season: A Holiday Spectacular!” promises to keep up the great Heartland Men’s Chorus tradition of presenting a holiday concert that’s as saucy as spiked eggnog.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th. and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Yardley Hall, Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd. $25-$50. 816-931-3338 or hmckc.org.

Bach Aria Soloists — BAS’ Annual Holiday Concert

There is a serenity about Bach Aria Soloists’ annual holiday concert that just captures the spirit of the holiday season. This year, violinist Elizabeth Suh Lane, harpsichordist Elisa Williams Bickers, cellist Hannah Collins and soprano Sarah Tannehill Anderson will be joined by vocalist Lindsey Lang and organist Kurt Knecht for a program of mostly baroque and romantic era music. The English gothic interior of St. Andrew’s Church will be the perfect setting for the program, which also includes an arrangement of holiday carols by Knecht.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace. $20-$40. 816-769-2575 or bachariasoloists.com.

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra — The Family

The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra presents “The Family” Dec. 6 at Helzberg Hall. The concert will celebrate family, which is so important during the holiday season. Jazz singer Chloe McFadden and her father, jazz singer and tap dancer Lonnie McFadden, are the featured performers. The McFaddens are some of Kansas City’s best loved musicians, so expect the good vibrations to be off the chart.

7 p.m. Dec. 6. Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. $33.50-$68.50.

TubaChristmas

Here’s an annual holiday event that seems to get bigger every year. TubaChristmas, weather permitting, will take place outdoors at Crown Center Square at noon Dec. 9. The hour-long concert sponsored by the Kansas City Symphony is free. TubaChristmas invites all tuba and euphonium players to join in the fun for a $10 registration fee.

Noon Dec. 9. Crown Center Square, 2450 Grand Blvd. Free. 816-471-0400 or kcsymphony.org.

“The Nativity” at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral

If you were enchanted by Paul Mesner’s puppets in “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” you must check out “The Nativity” Dec. 4 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Mesner’s puppets tell the story of Jesus’ birth through the Flight into Egypt. The power of the production is greatly enhanced by being in Grace and Holy Trinity. The cathedral’s moody interior seems perfect for this puppet show, which has a certain medieval quality to it.

2 p.m. Dec. 4. Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 W. 13th St. $12-$17. kccathedral.org.

Voces Festivas — Navidad Con Voces Festivas

Voces Festivas is the latest addition to William Baker’s Festival Singers family. Led by Leilani Velasco Vaughn, the Spanish language choir specializes in music by Latino composers. The group will present its first holiday concert, Navidad Con Voces Festivas (Christmas With Voces Festivas) Dec. 9 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Soprano Victoria Sofia Botero will be the featured soloist.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 2552 Gillham Road. Free. festivalsingers.org.

‘Christmas With Kansas City Bronze’

“Silver Bells,” “Jingle Bells,” “Carol of the Bells” … Bells and Christmas just go together. You can enjoy the celestial sound of bells at “Christmas With Kansas City Bronze” Dec. 10 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. William Baker will lead the handbell choir in a program of popular Christmas carols.

4 p.m. Dec. 10. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes St. $10. festivalsingers.org.

Kansas City Chamber Orchestra

Baritone Danny Belcher is doing remarkable work shaping the opera stars of tomorrow with his artist diploma program at William Jewell College. You’ll be able to hear his students and Belcher himself in “The House Without a Christmas Tree” Dec. 5 at Gano Hall at William Jewell College and Dec. 6 at the Folly Theater.

Bruce Sorrell will conduct the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. Composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, “The House Without a Christmas Tree” is a wonderful way to introduce young people to the world of opera.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Gano Hall, William Jewell College, 500 College Hill, Liberty, and Dec. 6 at the Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St. $10-$20. 816-960-1324 or kcchamberorchestra.org.

You can reach Patrick Neas at patrickneas@kcartsbeat.com and follow his Facebook page, KC Arts Beat, at www.facebook.com/kcartsbeat.