PORTLAND — Christmas with the a cappella group Renaissance Voices will be presented Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18, at the Cathedral of St. Luke, 143 State St.

The Nov. 17 performance is at 7:30 p.m.; the Dec. 18 performance, 2 p.m.

Harold Stover, director of the 20-voice ensemble, has created an exciting and innovative program to invoke the spirit of the season.

The choir will sing works from its namesake period by Jan Sweelinck, Adrian Batten, Johannes Eccard and Girolamo Baglioni. Performance of works by Hugo Distler, Kathryn Rose and Crys Armbrust demonstrates the chorus’ commitment to perform more contemporary music and works by women. A few carols and seasonal readings by the singers will round out the program.

The audience is invited to a reception after the concerts.

Renaissance Voices has been performing since 1994 and has sung live on Maine Public Radio. Stover, internationally-known organist and distinguished composer, has led the group since 2001.

Admission is $15 at the door. Discounted tickets can be purchased for $12 by cash or check at Starbird Music and Piano Gallery and Longfellow Books, both in Portland, and at The Book Review in Falmouth through 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, or online at www.renaissancevoices.net. Admission for students is $5 at the door with valid student ID.

FMI: 207-729-4958, 207-829-5016, www.renaissancevoices.net.