♦ PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
♦ Carnegie Hall Preview
Heinz Hall
12/2 TUE 7:30PM
AUERBACH: Frozen Dreams [PSO Commission]
RACHMANINOFF: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5
Notes: A one-night-only blockbuster. The PSO makes its long-awaited return to New York City’s Carnegie Hall, and Pittsburgh gets to hear the program first. One of today’s most exciting and in-demand pianists, Seong-Jin Cho brings brilliance and fire to Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The evening also features Shostakovich’s powerful Fifth Symphony, a work immortalized by the PSO with its 2x Grammy-award winning 2017 recording.
♦ Shostakovich’s Fifth
Heinz Hall
12/5 FRI 7:30PM
12/7 SUN 2:30PM
COPLAND: “Fanfare for the Common Man”
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No.5
Notes: In 1937, as Stalin’s purges gripped the Soviet Union, Shostakovich lived in constant fear for his life. Yet in that darkness, he found the courage to write his Fifth Symphony, subtitled (ironically) “A Soviet Artist’s Reply to Just Criticism.” Intense, haunting, and ultimately triumphant, the work became both his artistic breakthrough and his political survival. The program also features Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, performed by Concertmaster David McCarroll. Graceful and lyrical, it is widely cherished as “one of the most beautiful and beloved concertos” ever written.
♦ Messiah
Heinz Hall
12/9 TUE 7:30PM
Handel’s Messiah: A Work Like No Other
Despite its immense popularity, Handel’s Messiah stands apart from all his other oratorios. It is unique in many ways: it is one of only two oratorios, along with Israel in Egypt, whose text is drawn entirely from the Bible; it lacks a continuous dramatic plot; it is the only one based on the New Testament; and it was the only oratorio performed in a consecrated space during Handel’s lifetime—a reflection of its sacred rather than theatrical nature.
Handel once remarked, “I should be sorry if I only entertained them; I wished to make them better.” This captures the spirit of Messiah: a work intended not just to delight, but to inspire.
The piece also features more choruses than nearly any of his other oratorios, and its soloists serve as narrators or commentators rather than characters in a drama. Yet none of these unusual traits diminish its emotional or spiritual power. (Interestingly, Handel and his librettist Charles Jennens never used the word “The” in the title—it was simply Messiah.)
The oratorio unfolds in three parts—The Advent of the Messiah, The Passion of Christ, and The Resurrection—tracing the central story of the Christian faith. But its sincerity and grandeur rise above any single belief system.
♦ Highmark Holiday Pops
Heinz Hall
12/12 FRI 7:30 PM, 12/13 SAT 2:30 PM, 12/13 SAT 7:30 PM, 12/14 SUN 2:30 PM
12/19 FRI 7:30 PM, 12/20 SAT 2:30 PM , 12/20 SAT 7:30 PM , 12/21 SUN 1:30 PM, 12/21 SUN 6:00 PM
Notes: It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Celebrate the holiday season with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Mendelssohn Choir, and guest vocalist Blaine Alden Krauss in this traditional offering of music for the season. Featuring “Sleigh Ride” and the “Hallelujah” chorus, as well as sing-alongs and a very special guest – all in the festive Yuletide splendor of Heinz Hall. Fun for the whole family!
♦ Holiday Brass Spectacular
Heinz Hall
112/16 TUES 7:30 PM
Notes: The virtuosic brass section of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is renowned for its brilliance, refinement and incredible power. Join us for this annual, festive holiday tradition with our special Holiday Brass Spectacular! From traditional Baroque favorites to new arrangements of your most-loved holiday tunes, this evening, perfect for the whole family, is sure to usher in the merry season!
♦ CITY THEATRE
♦ Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
1300 Bingham Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
11/15 Thru 12/7
Notes: From the playwright of The Revolutionists and the Christmas at Pemberley series comes the world premiere of a new adaptation of a beloved classic. Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women explores the parallel lives of the author’s family and the iconic March sisters – Jo, Beth, Meg, and Amy — in a heartwarming coming of age tale of empowerment, family, resilience – and the creation of an American literary masterpiece, with Alcott herself center stage.
♦ Momentum Festival 2025
1300 Bingham Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
12/13 & 12/14
Notes: Launched in 2003, the Momentum Festival: New Plays at Different Stages is at the heart of City Theatre’s mission to lead the new play development conversation on both a national and local level. It celebrates some of the most exciting playwrights in the country through a weekend of workshops, readings, and artist panels. This year, in collaboration with the CMU Center for New Work Development, the festival returns to share four new works from both the City Theatre and CMU artistic communities.
This year’s festival will feature a new musical set on Pittsburgh’s southside with songs by houserocker and frequent Bruce Springsteen collaborator, Joe Gruschecky, the return of Chris Rivas with a new solo show directed by Pittsburgh based director and CMU alumni Adil Mansoor (who is also directing City Theatre’s production of Eureka Day this season), as well as two brand new plays from Carnegie Mellon’s renowned MFA in Dramatic Writing program. The reimagined Momentum Festival revives an important facet of Pittsburgh’s new play development work and creates collaboration between producing and academic organizations to not only deepen students’ education, but to ensure a bright artistic future for the city of Pittsburgh. Each team is a mix of professionals and students, sparking connections between artists at varying stages of development to build and fortify community across our industry.
Prepare and propel works to world premieres here in Pittsburgh and around the country. Come be a part of the new play process and witness these works while they’re still in development.
The return of the Momentum Festival is made possible by the newly minted Center for New Work Development at Carnegie Mellon University.
♦ PITTSBURGH CAMERATA
♦ Christmas with the Camerata
St. Andre’s Episcopal Church
12/5 FRI 7:30PM
Shadyside Presbyterian Church
12/7 SUN 3:00PM
Notes: The Pittsburgh Camerata continues its annual tradition with Christmas with the Camerata, featuring Stephen Paulus’s Jesu Carols: Four Carols for Christmas and guest harpist Nuiko Wadden. Performances will be on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Shadyside Presbyterian Church.
♦ PITTSBURGH OPERA
♦ Holiday Song Shop
Benedum Center
12/13 SAT 12:00PM
Notes: Pittsburgh Opera’s free, informal Song Shop concerts feature the Resident Artists of Pittsburgh Opera. Beginning at 12:00 PM on selected Saturdays of each month, October 2025–May 2026, these one-hour performances are free, fun, and open to everyone. Guests are encouraged to bring a friend and bring a lunch. FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera provide a reception after each Song Shop concert. Themes vary from concert to concert.
♦ PITTSBURGH CONCERT CHORALE
♦ Sounds of the Season
Friday, December 5, 2025; 7:30 concert; Trinity Cathedral
Saturday, December 6, 2025; 7:30 concert; Westminster Presbyterian Church
Sunday, December 7, 2025; 4:00 concert; Ingomar United Methodist Church
Notes: A favorite annual event, PCC’s Sounds of the Season features timeless classics, traditional carols, and popular tunes in an unforgettable performance. Sing along with the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale to some of your favorites. Feel like a child again as the music evokes memories of holidays past. Enjoy this concert with the entire family as you make Sounds of the Season one of your cherished holiday traditions.
♦ PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE
♦ The Nutcracker
Benedum Center
Friday, DEC 5 – 11:00 AM, Friday, DEC 5 – 7:00 PM, Saturday, DEC 6 – 2:00 PM, Saturday, DEC 6 – 7:00 PM, Sunday, DEC 7 – 12:00 PM, Sunday, DEC 7 – 4:30 PM
Friday, DEC 12 – 7:00 PM, Saturday, DEC 13 – 2:00 PM, Saturday, DEC 13 – 7:00 PM, Sunday, DEC 14 – 12:00 PM, Sunday, DEC 14 – 4:30 PM
Friday, DEC 19 – 7:00 PM, Saturday, DEC 20 – 2:00 PM, Saturday, DEC 20 – 7:00 PM, Sunday, DEC 21 – 12:00 PM, Sunday, DEC 21 – 4:30 PM
Tuesday, DEC 23 – 7:00 PM, Friday, DEC 26 – 7:00 PM, Saturday, DEC 27 – 2:00 PM, Saturday, DEC 27 – 7:00 PM, Sunday, DEC 28 – 12:00 PM
Notes: Set in turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh, Terrence S. Orr’s dazzling version of The Nutcracker highlights the city’s beloved landmarks, sports teams and history. Join Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on an unforgettable adventure through sparkling snow into the dreamy Land of Enchantment. Experience favorite dances, memorable scenes, magical costumes, shimmering snowflakes and the iconic Tchaikovsky score as you are swept into the most festive time of the year. Don’t miss your chance to experience it with your loved ones!
♦ Pittsburgh Belle Voci
♦ Winter Dreams
Dec 13, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Pittsburgh, 2040 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh
Dec 14, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Pittsburgh, 5701 Fifth Ave, Shadyside
Notes: Belle Voci and Solo Voci are proud to present, “Winter Dreams,” our Annual Holiday Concert Weekend Series. Reminisce of yuletide carols, the warmth and love of celebrations, and the childlike awe of watching your first snowfall. Experience the wonder, delight and nostalgia of the holiday season. Belle Voci is a community-based, multi-generational choir made up of soprano and altos founded in 2012, the choir’s mission is to “Connect Song and Community” by curating special programming for sensory friendly audiences and sharing the joy of music with everyone in our neighborhood. Lorraine Milovac serves as the Artistic Director.
♦ LEE SAVILLE-IKSIC
♦ Something Glows, Something Grows
Allegheny Unitarian Church
December 19, 7:00PM
Notes: Old Carols – New Meditations. A one-man concert-drama for yuletide.
An evocative retelling of the first Christmas, SOMETHING GLOWS, SOMETHING GROWS offers an age-old narrative infused with an unmistakable immediacy and relevance for the time in which we are living. Half-spoken and half-sung, Lee Saville-Iksic’s newest concert-length work weaves captivating storytelling, compelling commentary, and raw autobiographical snapshots together with musical arrangements ranging in style from blues and folk to neo-classical and ambient. Rich with centuries-old carols and original songs – and asking us to plumb our dreams for what acts of creation we are called to undergo during seasons of darkness – SOMETHING GLOWS, SOMETHING GROWS has a bit of something for everyone; activist, scholar, mystic, and skeptic alike.
Lee Saville-Iksic is a singer-songwriter, performer, composer, conductor, astrologer, poet, author, teacher, and coach-consultant based in Pittsburgh, PA.