Mother and Child: Songs of Love and Joy

Enjoy your holiday surrounded by masterpieces at the Cantare Houston’s Mother and Child: Songs of Love and Joy. The three-night run by Cantare is once again set in the grand galleries of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Michael Rowell, a member of the group’s board of directors and a tenor, says the setting has proven ideal for previous Cantare performances. “It’s very intimate and beautiful; all around you are these masterpieces. And you’re standing there, right in front of the people you want to connect with. And they’re sitting there, right in front of the people they want to connect with. Everything comes together wonderfully. We’ve performed in the museum before and because of the setting, it’s becoming one of our favorite [concert halls].”

Auditioning conductor Amy Solberg put the program together, focusing on the mother-and-child theme. “It’s especially poignant during the holidays,” says Rowell. “The theme of mother and child was what resonated with her most and it seemed perfect for our program.” The program includes Four Motets by Duruflé and Magnificat by Clausen. Works by Rachmaninoff, Willan and others are also on the schedule. As always, the program ends with a group sing-along of “Silent Night.”

Rowell has a word of advice to fans planning to attend the concert. “Get your tickets early! It’s a small space, and this show is going to sell out,” he says happily.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet. For information, visit cantarehouston.org. $40.

Dec. 20-22, 7:30 p.m., 2014