Concert in the park
The Orquesta Sinfonica de Zapopan presents a Christmas “picnic” concert in the Parque Metropolitano, the city’s largest park on the western side of the metropolitan area.
Parque Metropolitano (Beethoven and Independencia, Zapopan), Friday, December 15, 5 p.m. Free
Monday concerts
December 18: The Coro Infantil San Luis Gonzaga, one of Guadalajara’s most celebrated children’s choirs for kids aged 7-14, interprets yuletide songs.
Palcco, Mondays, 8 p.m. 100 pesos.
The Nutcracker
The Ballet de Jalisco and the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra team up for this production of the holiday classic.
Teatro Degollado, Friday, December 15, 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 16, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 17, 12:30 p.m. 100-400 pesos.
Extra Nutcracker
Due to sold out shows (see previous item), the Ballet de Jalisco reprises its performances of the holiday classic but this time without the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra.
Teatro Degollado, Tuesday, December 19 and Wednesday, December 20, 8:30 p.m.
Hogwarts
The Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil de Guadalajara presents a musical tour through the eight “Harry Potter” movies.
Conjunto de Artes Escenicas (Periferico and Prolongacion Laureles), Saturday, December 16, 7 p.m. 220-440 pesos.
Cathedral Choir
The Guadalajara Cathedral children’s Choir presents a Christmas concert.
Teatro Diana, Sunday, December 17, 6 p.m. 200-400 pesos.
Homage
“Así fue mi padre” (This was my father) is a tribute to famed Mexican composer/singer José Alfredo Jiménez (“El Rey”), presented by his son, José Alfredo Jiménez Medel. Featuring Mariachi Continental and invited guests.
Palcco, Saturday, January 20, 8:30 p.m.
Billy Elliot
Professional Spanish-language version – on tour from Mexico City – of West End/Broadway musical chronicling working-class English teen’s desire to learn ballet.
Teatro Galerias (Avenida Lapizlazuli 3445, one block Plaza del Sol), Saturday, January 20, 5 and 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 21, 1 and 5 p.m. 550- 1,500 pesos.
Elina Garanca
Acclaimed Latvian operatic mezzo-soprano in concert. In 2008, she made her company and house debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, in the role of Rosina in Rossini’s “Barber of Seville.” She also sang the lead role of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” in the Met’s 2010 production. Her latest album “Revive” has won huge critical praise.
Conjunto de Artes Escenicas, Saturday, January 27, 8:30 p.m. 550-1,500 pesos.
Live from the Met
Sir David McVicar’s ravishing new production of “Tosca” offers a splendid backdrop for two extraordinary sopranos sharing the title role of the jealous prima donna: Sonya Yoncheva and Anna Netrebko. Vittorio Grigolo and Marcelo Álvarez alternate in the role of Tosca’s revolutionary artist lover Cavaradossi, with Sir Bryn Terfel, Michael Volle, and Željko Lučić as the depraved police chief Scarpia. James Levine conducts.
Teatro Diana, Saturday, January 27, noon. 100-250 pesos.
Martin Valverde
Popular religious singer from Costa Rica, naturalized Mexican, interprets “contemporary Catholic” music.
Teatro Diana, Friday, February 9, 8:30 p.m.
Joaquin Sabina
Acclaimed Argentine folk singer in concert.
Auditorio Telmex, Saturday, February 10, 9 p.m.
GR RECOMMENDS: ECOS Choir Christmas concerts
For those looking to arm their holiday calendars with culture and fun – plus a dose of neoteny – the state’s ECOS program, which promotes music-making and education for Jalisco’s youth, will be offering a slate of outdoor events (Conciertos Navideños) around Guadalajara’s metropolitan area, all free.
The ECOS program is associated with three ensembles: The Jose Pablo Moncayo Youth Symphony Orchestra, The Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Big Band. Stocking these bands are especially talented ECOS alumni from Cuautitlan in the south of the state, to Teocaltiche in the north, and points in-between. However, it will be the chorus of the Moncayo Orchestra which will primarily provide the entertainment for the Christmas concerts, which are as follows:
Saturday, December 16, 8 p.m.: Av. Chapultepec between Vidrio and Mexicaltzingo.
Sunday, December 17, noon: Glorieta Minerva. 7 p.m.: Glorieta Chapalita.
Monday, December 18, 6 p.m.: Parque de las Estrellas (Mariano Otero and Rincon de las Praderas).
Tuesday, December 19, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.: Andador Morelos (Calle Morelos, between Liceo and Maestranza).
Wednesday, December 20, 8 p.m.: Arcos del Acueducto (Calles Montevideo and Tierra del Fuego).
The chorus, fresh from performances in San Miguel El Alto, Lagos de Moreno and Cuautitlan, are sure to be well-oiled, ready to give full-throated recitations of their repertoire (contents unknown, but most likely Christmas-related) for the pleasure of choral music lovers.