SoCal music & dance, Dec. 17-24: Handel’s Messiah, ‘The Nutcracker,’ the L.A. County Holiday Celebration and more

Classical, opera, jazz, folk, pop, rock, ballet, tap, flamenco, contemporary dance and more for LA & OC

Los Angeles Master Chorale (Jamie Pham)

Welcome to the latest TV or Not TV newsletter spotlighting live music and dance performances all around Southern California this coming week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the LA Times’ Calendar section.

Be sure to check out SoCal Holidays Shows 2023, our supersized roundup of “Christmas Carols,” “Nutcrackers,” Messiahs and other seasonal fare on offer in LA and OC, updated weekly.

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Classical & opera

Beethoven Symphonies with Zubin Mehta The LA Phil’s esteemed conductor emeritus leads the orchestra in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” and Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. $20-$379. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com

‘Alchymia: Antonio Lysy and Friends’ The cellist and a small ensemble perform a new work by acclaimed composer Thomas Adès, plus pieces by Mozart, Ravel and Saint-Saëns in this entry in the Sunday Morning Music series. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. $60. (310) 434-3200. broadstage.org

‘Dan Tepfer: Natural Machines’ The pianist and composer performs works from his latest album, augmented by real-time computer-generated animated visuals. UCLA Nimoy Theater, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. $32. (310) 825-2101. cap.ucla.edu

Handel’s Messiah Los Angeles Master Chorale performs the beloved oratorio. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. $55-$169. (213) 972-7282. lamasterchorale.org