Winter in Wales takes on a special charm when paired with music and dance, and St. David’s Hall in Cardiff — the National Concert Hall and Conference Centre of Wales — offers a rich seasonal programme. On Nov. 30, the Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra and Choir will perform Beethoven’s final masterwork, Symphony No. 9, conducted by Mark Eager with chorus master Dominic Neville preparing the singers.
Holiday events begin on Dec. 5 with Christmas with The Royal Welsh College Brass Band at 1 p.m. On Dec. 6, the Cambrensis Choir & Orchestra join the St. David’s Praise Choir and The Promise of Christmas Youth Choir to present a programme of traditional carols suitable for all ages. Handel’s Messiah follows on Dec. 14, featuring soprano Rebecca Evans alongside the Cardiff Polyphonic Choir and the Baroque ensemble Réjouissance, directed by Simon Jones.
From Dec. 20–24, the Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia brings The Nutcracker to life, with its enchanting scenes of mischievous mice, dancing dolls and festive magic. The company remains in residence from Dec. 27–29 to present the comic ballet Coppélia, a lighthearted story of mistaken identity, romantic confusion and the toymaker Dr. Coppelius’s lifelike doll. The season concludes with Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake on Dec. 30–31, featuring the moonlit lakes and graceful swans that make the ballet a timeless favourite.
St. David’s Hall is located on The Hayes in the southern part of Cardiff’s city centre and offers a welcoming venue for holiday concerts, family ballets and large-scale choral works throughout the winter season.