The Toronto Symphony Orchestra gets into the holiday spirit!

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra(TSO) celebrates the holiday season with four festive holiday programmes that spotlight Canadian artists and fill Roy Thomson Hall with the sounds of Christmas (December 8 – 21). Canadian violinist James Ehnes performs in an all-Tchaikovsky programme; Canadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc and Canadian tenor Lawrence Wiliford captivate audiences in performances of Handel’s Messiah; Canadian artists shine in family concert The Twelve Days of Christmas, and the Canadian Brass ring in the yuletide season with a programme of cherished seasonal favourites.

The TSO kicks off the holiday season with an all-Tchaikovsky programme, featuring renowned Canadian violinist and audience favourite James Ehnes(December 8 & 10). James Ehnes performs one of the most famous violin concertos ever written, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, a piece the Grammy, Juno and Gramophone Award winner released on CD this fall. TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian leads the orchestra in this joyous and spirited programme.

The countdown to Christmas begins with special family concert, The Twelve Days of Christmas (December 11). Joined by Canadian artists, baritone Darren Dunstan, and the Cawthra Park Chamber Choir, the TSO brings to life the classic Christmas story with a partridge in a pear tree, eight maids-a-milking, lords and ladies, and a host of other characters. Add your voice to an audience-wide sing-along and celebrate the spirit of Christmas together with the young music lover in your life. During intermission, the lobby will be a buzz of activity and Christmas excitement with free holiday art activities led by the Avenue Road Arts School.

An annual December tradition, Toronto’s Favourite Messiah (December 14, 16-19) moves audiences with its powerful story of redemption, resurrection, and salvation.In this year’s performances of the Messiah, Handel’s most beloved and famous work, the TSO welcomes a stellar line up of soloists including Canadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc, Canadian tenor Lawrence Wiliford, mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle and bass-baritone Andrew Foster-Williams. The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir joins the TSO for their 79th consecutive year performing this piece with the orchestra and conductor Nicholas Kraemer leads and performs harpsichord in this Baroque holiday classic.

The bright golden tones of the Canadian Brass ring in the holiday season in a programme of yuletide favourites (December 20 & 21). These performances feature cherished tunes including Ding Dong Merrily on High, Christmas Time Is Here, and a touch of sparkling Dixieland jazz, which will have audiences tapping their toes to the swinging beat. New York Pops conductor Steven Reineke leads the orchestra and is joined by a festive array of carolers from the Etobicoke School of the Arts in this programme that willwarm concert-goers’ hearts.

TSO 90th Season Sponsor is BMO Financial Group.

TSO Young People’s Concerts Series Sponsor is Desjardins.

TSO POPS Series Sponsor is IBM Canada Ltd.

The Twelve Days of Christmas programme sponsor is Great-West Life, London Life, and Canada Life.

TSO Presents:

Ehnes Plays Tchaikovsky
Thu, December 8 at 8:00pm
Sat, December 10 at 7:30pm
Roy Thomson Hall

Peter Oundjian, conductor
James Ehnes, violin

Tchaikovsky: Polonaise from Eugene Onegin
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 “Little Russian”

Tickets: $33-$145

The Twelve Days of Christmas
Sun, December 11 at 3:00pm
Roy Thomson Hall

Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Darren Dunstan, baritone
Cawthra Park Chamber Choir

Richard Hayman: The Twelve Days of Christmas (A Pageant)

Tickets: $16.50-$65

Toronto’s Favourite Messiah
Wed, December 14 at 8:00pm
Fri, December 16 at 8:00pm
Sat, December 17 at 8:00pm
Sun, December 18 at 3:00pm
Mon, December 19 at 8:00pm
Roy Thomson Hall

Nicholas Kraemer, conductor and harpsichord
Suzie LeBlanc, soprano
Meg Bragle, mezzo-soprano
Lawrence Wiliford, tenor
Andrew Foster-Williams, bass-baritone
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

Handel: Messiah

Tickets: $38-$107

Christmas with the Canadian Brass
Tue, December 20 at 8:00pm
Wed, December 21 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Roy Thomson Hall

Steven Reineke, conductor
Canadian Brass
Etobicoke School of the Arts Chorus

Tickets: $29-$109

About the TSO: Founded in 1922, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s major cultural institutions and is internationally recognized as a leading orchestra. Under the leadership of Music Director Peter Oundjian, the TSO is committed to innovative programming and showcases a roster of distinguished guest artists and conductors. In addition to performances, the TSO serves the community with one of the largest music education outreach programmes in Canada, connecting students throughout Ontario with acclaimed curriculum-based programming. tso.ca