2008-2009 News
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PSO’S MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS CREATES NEW WORKS AND CELEBRATES HOLIDAY CLASSICS, SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER AND FUN FOR ALL
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PORTLAND, Maine – Magic of Christmas 2007 will delight both seasoned audiences and first-time attendees with special arrangments, new works, and world-class performances in a spectacular holiday setting. Sections of the show will highlight intimate solo settings and smaller ensembles drawn from the ranks of the orchestra, as well as the fully massed orchestra, choruses, dancers and special guests that are coming together to bring that “Magic of Christmas” spirit to town.
Magic of Christmas will be conducted by Mark Mandarano and directed by Good Theater’s Brian P. Allen, with guests Musica de Filia Girlchoir and Portland Ballet, singers David Burnham and Ellen Domingos and the Magic of Christmas Chorus.
Pieces developed specially for this year’s Magic include a mini-medley of “I’ve Got Your Love to Keep Me Warm” and “Baby it’s Cold Outside” arranged by Terry White, music teacher at Cape Elizabeth Music School, leader of the Terry White Big Band and arranger for most of the marching bands in Maine. Magic 2007 audiences will also enjoy the premiere of “O Holy Night” arranged for Mr. Burnham by Broadway veteran Larry Moore, praised by the New York Daily News as "one of the most ingenious practitioners in his profession." Other new arrangements include a “Rockin’ Christmas” and Mel Torme’s “Christmas Song.”
A work that will be entirely new to Magic audiences is an intimate rendition of “Grateful” by songwriter John Bucchino, which will be performed as a vocal solo for Mr. Burnham, accompanied by pianist Janet Reeves. “Christmastime is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas has become a beloved classic, and audiences are sure to love the Musica de Filia Girlchoir’s ethereal voices accompanied only by a small jazz combo.
A highlight of this year’s Magic program will be Duke Ellington’s re-visioning of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. The PSO will perform “Peanut Brittle Brigade” while dancers from Portland Ballet bring a jazzy sensibility to a favorite holiday classic.
Perennial favorites returning to this year’s Magic program are works by Leroy Anderson including Sleigh Ride, the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, and the audience singalong. An hour before each performance, the Kotzschmar Organ Prelude helps get audiences in the holiday mood.
Tickets to the Magic of Christmas are available through the PortTix box office, 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., online at www.porttix.com or by phone, 207-842-0800. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. A total of fourteen performances run December 14 - 23, with morning, afternoon and evening shows. Tickets can be ordered online at www.porttix.com.
Magic of Christmas will be conducted by Mark Mandarano and directed by Good Theater’s Brian P. Allen, with guests Musica de Filia Girlchoir and Portland Ballet, singers David Burnham and Ellen Domingos and the Magic of Christmas Chorus.
Pieces developed specially for this year’s Magic include a mini-medley of “I’ve Got Your Love to Keep Me Warm” and “Baby it’s Cold Outside” arranged by Terry White, music teacher at Cape Elizabeth Music School, leader of the Terry White Big Band and arranger for most of the marching bands in Maine. Magic 2007 audiences will also enjoy the premiere of “O Holy Night” arranged for Mr. Burnham by Broadway veteran Larry Moore, praised by the New York Daily News as "one of the most ingenious practitioners in his profession." Other new arrangements include a “Rockin’ Christmas” and Mel Torme’s “Christmas Song.”
A work that will be entirely new to Magic audiences is an intimate rendition of “Grateful” by songwriter John Bucchino, which will be performed as a vocal solo for Mr. Burnham, accompanied by pianist Janet Reeves. “Christmastime is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas has become a beloved classic, and audiences are sure to love the Musica de Filia Girlchoir’s ethereal voices accompanied only by a small jazz combo.
A highlight of this year’s Magic program will be Duke Ellington’s re-visioning of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. The PSO will perform “Peanut Brittle Brigade” while dancers from Portland Ballet bring a jazzy sensibility to a favorite holiday classic.
Perennial favorites returning to this year’s Magic program are works by Leroy Anderson including Sleigh Ride, the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, and the audience singalong. An hour before each performance, the Kotzschmar Organ Prelude helps get audiences in the holiday mood.
Tickets to the Magic of Christmas are available through the PortTix box office, 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., online at www.porttix.com or by phone, 207-842-0800. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. A total of fourteen performances run December 14 - 23, with morning, afternoon and evening shows. Tickets can be ordered online at www.porttix.com.
