Opera, perhaps the most disciplined and harrowing style of musical performance ever invented, has always had a hard time gripping American audiences for a pretty simple reason—most of them aren’t in English. Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, however, has been representing the language in opera for centuries. The story of a queen’s love affair with a Trojan warrior—and an evil sorcerer’s attempts to sabotage it all—is the English classic in the operatic tradition. Personally, if there’s an evil sorcerer involved, I’m in. In their 38th season, Opera San Jose brings three weeks of performances to the California Theater starting this Saturday.

Dido & Aeneas
Opens Sat, 7:30pm, $55+
California Theatre, San Jose

A staple of the operatic repertoire, Giuseppe Verdi’s turbulent tale of love, revenge and the power of music, Il Trovatore, comes to the California Theatre. The opera tells the tale of a woman following her own heart despite various and violent patriarchal obstacles and features an emotional, heart-stopping score conducted by Joseph Marcheso, Opera San José’s music director and principal conductor. The production is directed by Brad Dalton, whose résumé includes San Francisco Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera and many other international companies. The production runs through March 1.

Il Trovatore
Sat, 8pm, $55+
California Theatre, San Jose

Russia has long been recognized as a leader in the world of dance, and the Moscow Ballet’s touring production of the Great Russian Nutcracker aims to uphold the country’s reputation—with a little help from the international community. Featuring a group of world-renowned Russian dancers, massive flying puppets from South Africa and hand-painted sets from Wes Anderson collaborator Carl Sprague, this production is sure to dazzle, with Arabian, French and Chinese variations on the holiday classic. In addition to the dextrous troupe of performers, the Moscow Ballet also lends a treasure trove of period-perfect costumes to the pageantry.

Moscow Ballet
Thu-Fri, 4pm & 8pm, $29+
California Theatre, San Jose

For many people this time of year, coming together with neighbors and singing sacred music in a beautiful place is an impulse not to be ignored. For the 15th straight year, Elena Sharkova and the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale will be answering the call. In the holiday glow of the lovely old California Theatre, the chorale—with help from opera and Broadway star Lisa Vroman—will sing the holiday songs so many of us know by heart, such as “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Audience participation is highly encouraged.

Carols in the California
Sat, 7pm, $26+
California Theatre, San Jose

Opera San Jose is kicking off the holiday season with a production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s family-friendly opera. Kids ages 6 and older who attend will not only enjoy a fully produced opera, they’ll also receive a small gift upon entrance, intermission treats, and opportunities to interact with costumed characters and be photographed in fairy tale settings in the lobby. Parents who may be overwhelmed by the Candyland sets can take refuge in Humperdinck’s Wagner-inspired score, and maybe some sparkling wine. Performances run through Dec. 1.

Hansel and Gretel
Sat, 8pm, $56+
California Theatre, San Jose

Honoring the past while looking to the future, sjDANCEco opens its 17th season with Etched in Time, a program featuring “The Exiles,” a Paradise Lost masterwork by José Limón, and a world premiere piece based upon the experiences of a DACA-Dreamer immigrant living in the US. The world premiere is by Gabriel Mata, a San Jose State University graduate. “This is where/I Begin…” is a solo work—choreographed and performed by Mata—set to “Jenuwine Flow” by Michael Wall, a track originally created to accompany a 60-minute yoga flow. Barbara Day Turner conducts the accompanying San Jose Chamber Orchestra.

Etched in Time
Fri & Sat, 8pm,
California Theatre, San Jose

When it comes to musical biopics, few films loom larger than Amadeus. The 1984 Academy Award-winning film made a rock star of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—one of the most talented composers of the Classical period (between the Baroque and Romantic periods). Painting Mozart as an eccentric and irreverent genius, the film weaves together elements of palace intrigue, jealousy and revenge into a fictionalized history of the Austrian musician. In partnership with Cinequest, Opera San Jose celebrates the 35th anniversary of the film with this screening in their downtown venue, the California Theatre.

Amadeus
Fri, 7:30pm, $5
California Theatre, San Jose

Cinequest returns with an opening night screening of Manto, a new biopic about controversial and acclaimed Indian writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Directed by Nandita Das, the film is set in an India just breaking free from British rule. While optimism fills the air, violence, unrest and fear are also rampant as the country seeks a post-colonial identity. The Indian-born Manto wrote novels, essays, short stories and plays—mostly in Urdu—and gained a reputation for his social criticism and unflinching portrayal of Indian life. Das will speak at the screening. The $55 ticket includes the film and an after party.

Cinequest Opens
Tue, 7:15pm, $20+
California Theatre, San Jose

There’s never a bad time to visit the historic California Theatre, one of downtown San Jose’s most beautiful buildings. But the best time might be during the holiday season. For the 14th straight year, the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale—under the direction of Elena Sharkova and accompanied by a brass ensemble—will lead a sing-along of beloved Christmas carols and holiday songs. Wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and Santa hat, and rest assured that you’ll know all the words to these holiday classics.

Carols in the California
Sat, 7pm, $26+
The California Theatre, San Jose

When it comes to sad clowns, Weary Willie—Emmett Kelly’s iconic caricature of a down-and-out, Depression-era hobo—may be the first image that crops up in the contemporary imagination. But the O.G. of all sad clowns is undoubtedly Pagliacci. In Ruggero Leoncavallo’s beloved Pagliacci, a theater troupe stages a production that hits too close to home for its main characters when the leading man, Canio, learns of his wife Nedda’s real-life affair with her on-stage beau. While staging a play with a similar plot, Canio (in the titular role) struggles through a performance before slaying his unfaithful wife and her lover.

Pagliacci
Sat, 8pm, $55+
California Theatre, San Jose