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Magic of Christmas
Portland Symphony Orchestra Presents 32nd Annual Magic of Christmas Beginning December 9
PORTLAND, Maine – Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) announces details of the 2011 production of Magic of Christmas, starring Music Director Robert Moody and the world-class musicians of the PSO in a festive and inspirational program, in the gloriously-transformed Merrill Auditorium. Magic of Christmas has been a holiday tradition for generations, delighting audiences of all ages for over 30 years. This brand-new production features aerialists and acrobats from Cirque de la Symphonie (who performed with the PSO in October 2009), as well as the Magic of Christmas Chorus, organist Ray Cornils, and the all-male a capella groups Bowdoin College Longfellows and Maine Steiners.
Conductor Robert Moody spoke of his excitement for the plans for Magic of Christmas 2011, “We’ve got a whole new production in store, and I can’t wait! We’ll bid a temporary farewell to our acclaimed version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ (don’t worry, it will be back in years to come), and instead welcome the dazzling aerialists of ‘Cirque de la Symphonie,’ who will illuminate the traditions, story, and spirit of the Christmas season through their breathtaking performances.”
Audiences will celebrate cherished traditions with music from The Nutcracker, festive carols, and the “Hallelujah!” chorus from Handel’s Messiah, while high-flying aerialists evoke the soaring spirit of the holidays, performing stunning acrobatic feats to seasonal and classical favorites. Hundreds of voices (including the versatile and multi-talented Maestro’s) will lift in sacred song, along with the awe-inspiring power of the mighty Kotzschmar Organ, all in celebration of the miraculous story of the Christmas season.
Magic of Christmas is sponsored by Hannaford Supermarkets, IDEXX Laboratories, Northeast Delta Dental, Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram and Time Warner Cable.
Eleven performances of Magic of Christmas will run from December 9 to December 18 at Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street in Portland. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. An additional 2:00 p.m. matinee is scheduled for Friday, December 16. Tickets are available at www.porttix.com, by phone at 207-842-0800, or at the PortTix box office, 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Saturday from noon to 6:00 PM. Phone and internet orders are subject to $6 per-ticket PortTix handling fee, and all ticket prices include a $2 Merrill Restoration fee.
Pricing Information:
• Preview Night (Friday December 10) all seats $25
• Tickets to all other shows starting at $25
• Seniors save $5
• Kids under 18 save $10
• Groups of 10 or more save up to 20%
2011 PSO Magic of Christmas program:
Robert Moody , conductor and vocalist
Ray Cornils, organ
Cirque de la Symphonie
Bowdoin College Longfellows (December 9-11)
Maine Steiners (December 16-18)
Magic of Christmas Chorus
Anderson A Christmas Festival Overture
Fisher/Ost/Moody Simple Holiday Joys
Wendel Overture to A Merry Christmas
Wendel Little Bolero Boy
Tchaikovksy “Waltz of the Flowers” from The Nutcracker
Wilberg The First Noel
arr. Glad For Unto Us a Child is Born
arr. Moody The Rose
Handel “Hallelujah!” from The Messiah
Anderson Sleigh Ride
Finnegan, arr. Christmas Sing-a-Long
Case Rocket Sleigh
arr. Moody I Am But a Small Voice
2011 PSO Magic of Christmas performance dates and times:
Kotzschmar Organ Prelude begins one hour before each concert except for the Sunday 1:00 PM matinees which will feature students from the Maine Suzuki Association.
• Friday, December 9 at 7:30 PM (Preview Night)
• Saturday, December 10 at 2:00 PM
• Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 PM
• Sunday, December 11 at 1:00 PM
• Sunday, December 11 at 5:00 PM
• Friday, December 16 at 2:00 PM
• Friday, December 16 at 7:30 PM
• Saturday, December 17 at 2:00 PM
• Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 PM
• Sunday, December 18 at 1:00 PM
• Sunday, December 18 at 5:00 PM
Filed under: Magic of Christmas, News, Press releases