THE CATHEDRAL CHOIR of the Madeleine will sing Christmas Vespers, an ancient service of psalms, chants and responses, this afternoon at 4:30 in the cathedral. With Gregory Glenn directing, the program will include works of Poulenc, Palestrina and Vaughan Williams. Organist David Young will perform works of Maurice Durufle. All are welcome at this free event.
- "THE NUTCRACKER" in Ballet West production has its final performances this week in the Capitol Theatre, Dec. 27-30 at 7 p.m and Dec. 27, 28 and 31 at 2 p.m.Choreography is by Willam F. Christensen, with Terence Kern conducting the Utah Chamber Orchestra. Performances feature several alternate casts of Ballet West artists, plus 240 children in four alternate casts.
Remaining tickets from $10-$40 may be purchased at the Capitol Theater box office and all ArtTix outlets (355-2787). Sugar Plum parties on stage will follow some matinees, and tickets to these are $7.
- UTAH SYMPHONY offers its festive New Year's Eve concert at Abravanel Hall on Saturday, Dec. 31, beginning at 10 p.m. A post-concert party will follow in the adjacent Salt Palace Annex, featur-ing food, beverages, dancing and entertainment by the musical group Potpourri. Tickets for the whole evening's events range from $35-$43, available at the Utah Symphony box office in the northwest corner of Abravanel Hall, tel. 533-NOTE.
Joseph Silverstein will conduct the program, with soprano Margo Watson as soloist. Music of Liszt, Dvorak and Strauss will be among programmed works.
- FIRST NIGHT '95, sponsored by the Downtown Alliance, offers a wide selection of arts, entertainment and carnival in many downtown venues, from 4 p.m. to midnight, Dec. 31. A $5 button, available at ZCMI stores and many other sources, admits to all venues. Children under 12 are admitted free, and entertainment at LDS church facilities is free.
Of special interest to music lovers are 15- to 20-minute mini-concerts in the Assembly Hall beginning with March of the 50 Nations at 5:45 p.m. features are Encore Brass, 6 p.m.; Mu Phi Piano Quartet, 6:20 p.m.; Gloriana 6:45 p.m.; BYU Young Ambassadors 7:10 p.m.; Bel Canto Singers, 7:30 p.m.; BYU Ballroom Dancers 8 p.m.; Don & Shawna Gottfredson Duo, 8:30 p.m.
Also American Piano Quartet (Paul Pollei, Jeffrey Shumway, Del Parkinson and Mack Wilberg) 8:45 p.m.; Intimate Opera, 9:15 p.m.; Taylorsville High School show choir, 9:40 p.m.; Jay Welch Chorale 10:05 p.m.; Beehive Statesmen Men's Chorus 10:50 p.m; and Utah Bagpipe Band, 11:10 p.m.
Salt Lake Art Center offers Klezbros klezmer music, 4-5 p.m., Children's Dance Theatre 8-8:30 p.m., Maggie Beers & Julie Mark 8:30-9:30 p.m. and Taylorsville High School show choir 10-11:30 p.m.
At Steinway Hall, 156 S. Main, hear chamber music by Cabarga, Zalkind & Janove, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Utah Opera Company, 7:30-9 p.m., and Craig Larson Jazz Trio, 9:30-11 p.m.
The Cathedral Choir of the Madeleine will perform a free concert in the cathedral from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
For a complete listing of all events and venues, see the cover story of the Deseret News After Hours section, published on Thursday, Dec. 29.