Magical performances, and Traditions older and newer and in store for the holiday season

Handel's "Messiah," holiday pops, "A Christmas Carol," "The Nutcracker" and community chorus events are some of the reassuring holiday favorite concerts and shows coming up on the Worcester calendar for November and December.

Worcester has its own unique holiday traditions, which include the Worcester Chorus singing "Messiah" on the first weekend in December, even though it's somewhat more appropriately sung at Easter.

Longstanding Traditions

The origins of performing "Messiah" in Worcester go back to Sept. 28, 1858, when a four-day musical convention opened at the brand-new Mechanics Hall in Worcester and included lectures, sessions devoted to vocal instruction, congregational singing and discussions about musical literature. The event, the first of its kind locally, concluded with a "Grand Concert" featuring a chorus of 200 singers. The repertory included selections from Handel's "Messiah." These were the beginnings of the presenting organization Music Worcester and the Worcester Chorus, with "Messiah" definitely also in the picture. "Messiah" began to be performed annually at the holidays by the Worcester Chorus well over 100 years ago.

Productions of “The Nutcracker” by such companies as the Boston Ballet were a tradition for decades at the now-disused Worcester Memorial Auditorium. Dance Prism, based in the Boston area, has been coming to Mechanics Hall with its touring production of “The Nutcracker” since 1982 (2020 excepted). Also, Jennifer Agbay first directed “The Nutcracker” when she was with the former Performing Arts School of Worcester, and later oversaw her own Ballet Arts Worcester company’s productions of the ballet staged at Atwood Hall at Clark University and then in partnership with The Hanover Theatre since 2008, with shows held right after Thanksgiving Day. The  production of “The Nutcracker” at The Hanover Theatre this year will officially be the sixth staged by the Hanover Theatre Conservatory since Ballet Arts Worcester merged with the conservatory.

For 38 years the Worcester Men of Song barbershop chorus put on quite an elaborate holiday concert in Mechanics Hall, usually in late November at the start of all the festivities. It had been said that the yearly Worcester Men of Song concert at Mechanics Hall unofficially opened the holiday season in the Worcester area. Since the pandemic, however, the Worcester Men of Song's Mechanics Hall concerts have been absent from the calendar, although the singing group still makes appearances and put on a holiday show in the area last year.

From 1982 to 2016 First Night Worcester was on the calendar for Dec. 31, but from a big heyday in its early years interest in such an event declined incrementally each year until it was shut down.

Traditions in the Making

If a tradition does fade, it seems like another tradition is always getting started.

The annual visits of the progressive-rock Trans-Siberian Orchestra to the DCU Center are now something that many people associate with the holidays.

After The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts opened in 2008, several ongoing Worcester traditions were reinforced, including the production of "The Nutcracker." The Hanover Theatre also introduced a new tradition, an original adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" that has grown to be the largest of its kind in New England.

Meanwhile, Worcester County has a long, charming history of community singing groups, as the 1858 musical convention indicated. Almost of all of them are going to have holiday concerts of some kind.

The only problem with this year's lineup is that some shows are at the same time and day, forcing some difficult decisions for concertgoers.

Upcoming Holiday Events

Here's a holiday "sampling" of a few of the treats in store this year:

"The Nutcracker," Nov. 24 to 26, Performances 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25, 2 p.m. Nov. 26: "The Nutcracker" will be back with all its magic at The Hanover Theatre for five performances immediately after Thanksgiving as has been the tradition since the ballet was first staged there in 2008. Clara is a young girl given a Christmas present of a toy soldier nutcracker during a Christmas party at her home that magically gets transformed into a prince who takes her on a fantastic journey through the Snow Forest and on into the Land of Sweets where a special performance is put on for them. The beauty of the dancing is matched by Tchaikovsky's memorable and haunting score. The production includes professional dancers augmenting a total local cast of 110 to 120 dancers, an orchestra and spectacular scenery and vibrant costumes. Tickets: $39, $49 and $59 depending on seat location. (871) 571-7469; www.thehanovertheatre.org. The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra — "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve — the Best of TSO & More," Nov. 25, Performances 3 and 8 p.m.: TSO's 1999 rock opera "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve" features numbers from its albums "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" and "The Christmas Attic" such as "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24," "O, Come All Ye Faithful," "Good King Joy," "Christmas Canon," "Music Box Blues," "Promises To Keep" and "This Christmas Day" in a classical-rock mix accompanied by a spectacular light show and visuals.. TSO drummer Jeff Plate said the progressive rock group's winter tours, which began in 1999, are now a holiday tradition. "We rank right up there with Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey," he said. Tickets: $44 to $114.75. Ticketmaster.com. DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester.

Handel "Messiah" — The Worcester Chorus conducted by Chris Shepard, presented by Music Worcester, Dec. 2, Performance 8 p.m.: First performed on April 13, 1742, in Dublin, Handel's contemplative work about the story of Jesus Christ has great dramatic and emotional movement as the music unfolds, including the glorious affirmation of the "Hallelujah" chorus.  The Worcester Chorus will be joined by the Worcester Festival Orchestra and guest vocalists Carley DeFranco, soprano; Allison Messier, mezzo-soprano; Travis Benoit, tenor; and John Salvi, baritone. Tickets $39 to $69; students, $17.50; youth 18 and under, $7.50. www.musicworcester.org. Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester.

The 2023 Boston Pops Holiday Tour, Dec. 2, Performance 8 p.m.: The Boston Pops Orchestra's annual "Holiday Pops" concerts is another Worcester tradition. The orchestra began coming to Worcester on a regular basis when the DCU Center opened in 1982 and performed there for 27 years. After a three-year absence from the city, the orchestra returned to Worcester for "Holiday Pops" in 2012, this time to The Hanover Theatre. Keith Lockhart, the orchestra's music director and conductor, has led the orchestra to the touring holiday shows in Worcester since 1996. For the 2020 "Holiday Pops" the orchestra had a pre-recorded broadcast available on demand with special footage shot, but returned live and in-person to The Hanover Theatre in 2021 and 2022. Tickets: $69, $85, $109 and $149 depending on seat location. (877) 571-7469; www.thehanovertheatre.org. The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

Westborough Community Chorus — "Merry Movie Melodies," Dec. 2 and 3, Performances 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2 p.m. Dec. 3: Founded in 1971, Westborough Community Chorus celebrated its 50 years with a holiday concert performed in 2021. Tickets for its 2023 holiday show, "Merry Movie Melodies," are $15; $10 students and seniors. www.westboroughcommunitychorus.com. Gibbons Middle School, Fisher Street, Westborough.

Meanwhile, a just a few miles away, the Northborough Area Community Chorus, founded in 1972, will present a concert at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 in Algonquin Regional High School, 79 Bartlett St., Northborough.

Boston Conservatory Orchestra, conducted by Bruce Hangen — "Tis the Season — Annual Traditions," Dec. 3, Performance 7 p.m.: 'Tis the Season — Annual Traditions" is described as "a symphonic celebration of the December holidays." Tickets: $12 in advance, $17 at the door; students and seniors, $7 in advance, $12 at the door. www.mechanicshall.org.

The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra presents The 43rd Annual Holiday Pops Concert, Dec. 9, Performance 8 p.m.: Mechanics Hall. Another great Worcester tradition that has sold out for each of its previous 42 years, the concert is packed with performers and holiday favorites. Jorge Soto conducts the orchestra, which will be joined by vocal soloists Jane Shivick and Christon Carney, the Salisbury Singers directed by Brad Dumont, the Worcester Children's Chorus directed by Pamela Mindell, area college choruses, and Irish step dancers from the Murphy Academy of Irish Dance. Tickets: Balcony seating only, $43. www.mechanicshall.org. Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester.

"The Nutcracker" — presented by Dance Prism, Dec. 10, Performances 1 and 5 p.m.: Mechanics Hall. Dance Prism's "The Nutcracker" is Worcester's longest-running production of the enchanting holiday classic. The Concord company's New England tour includes professional dancers and apprentices supplemented by serious ballet students who audition annually for roles. Tickets: $45; $38 children and seniors. www.mechanicshall.org. Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester.

"A Christmas Carol." The Hanover Theatre: Performances Dec. 16-23. The adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novella of Christmas redemption by Troy Siebels, The Hanover Theatre's president and CEO, now has its 16th annual production. The show is refined and revised every year to feature more insights and more magic. Tickets: $32, $52 and $62 depending on seat location. (877) 571-7469; www.thehanovertheatre.org. The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

The Worcester Youth Orchestras Annual Family Holiday Concert, Dec. 16. Performance 4 p.m.: The concert features the WY Symphony Orchestra, WY Philharmonic, WY Wind Ensemble and WY Jazz Ensemble, along with the Nashoba Valley Chorale, Worcester Children's Chorus, and soprano Lisabeth Miller in one big festive event. Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester.

The annual "Messiah Sing" with the Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Dec. 17. Performance 3:30 p.m.: An eagerly anticipated opportunity for participants to sing the choruses of the Christmas portion of Handel’s "Messiah" and to enjoy talented soloists. Suggested donation $10. www.avmsingers.org. First Church Marlborough, High Street, Marlborough.

Worcester Chorus Women’s Ensemble, presented by Music Worcester, Dec. 17. Performance 4 p.m.: The Worcester Chorus Women's Ensemble annual holiday concert is rapidly becoming a new Worcester tradition. Directed by Worcester Chorus associate director Mark Mummert, the program features Benjamin Britten’s "Ceremony of Carols" as well as a selection of Christmas classics and holiday sing-alongs. The four-year-old ensemble has been making a name for itself with performances and a recording. Tickets $25; students, $17.50; youth, 18 and under, $7.50. www.musicworcester.org. Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster, St., Worcester.

3rd Annual Christmas at Mechanics Hall featuring Leonardo Ciampa, organist, and many others, Dec. 17. Performance 4 p.m. Ciampa has emerged as an energetic presence on the Worcester music scene, and this show promises to be full of singing with traditional and new works. Tickets: $20; Seniors $15; children 12 and younger, free. www.mechanicshall.org. Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Magical performances in store for the holiday season