Lyric Opera of Chicago – “Turandot”: Puccini’s unfinished valedictory returns for winter performances that mark the house debut of soprano Janai Brugger as the slave girl Liu. Other principal roles are taken by soprano Amber Wagner in the title role and tenor Stefano La Colla as the unknown prince, Calaf. Music director Andrew Davis conducts. Through Jan. 27 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; $34-$279; 312-827-5600, www.lyricopera.org
Elgin Symphony Orchestra: The orchestra’s first concerts of 2018 maintain a distinctly Central European flavor, with Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody” No. 2 and Dvorak’s Sixth Symphony surrounding Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 (“Turkish”). Music director Andrew Grams conducts. Bella Hristova is the violin soloist. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg; and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin; $30 and up; 847-888-4000, www.elginsymphony.org
Ensemble Dal Niente: The Chicago contemporary music collective presents “Holes and Tunnels” – premieres by Sivan Cohen Elias, Fredrick Gifford and Michelle Lou – played by Mabel Kwan, piano; Jesse Langen, electric guitar; Eric Derr, percussion; Tom Snydacker, saxophone; and Gifford, electronics. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave.; $10; www.constellation-chicago.com
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts: Cellist Sebastian Baverstam and pianist Constantine Finehouse perform a recital. 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; free; www.imfchicago.org
Lira Singers: The ensemble presents a program of Polish and American Christmas carols. 3 p.m. Sunday, St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 768 Lincoln Ave., Calumet City; $30-$35; 708-862-4165; www.liraensemble.org
John von Rhein is a Tribune critic.
Twitter @jvonrhein