Without doubt, the people around me in the Soprano section and my van pool agree that our favorite song on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas 2013 Concert is "Ring Those Christmas Bells." The arrangement and orchestration was done by associate director Ryan Murphy. What a festive delight! To top it off, our Bells on Temple Square join us in the loft to ring those fabulous bells. The exciting sounds are all around us. Such fun!
Another treat is the section of the show where famed British actor John Rhys-Davies narrates the Christmas story from Luke 2. His powerful voice and interpretation leave everyone both exhilarated and in tears. During his other featured portion of the show, the audience gets to enjoy his considerable acting abilities in telling another wonderful Christmas story. (We aren't allowed to spill the beans, yet! But trust me, it is worth coming to the concert to experience. Cameras just won't be able to capture the thrill of watching all of the many interesting things going on all over the immense Conference Center.)
The dancers this year are particularly wonderful and talented. They dance many exuberant feature numbers including a section of Russian Christmas music by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. From ballet to gymnastics to Russian folk dance, these dancers provide quite a spectacle! There is also a feature acted out by a clever and talented acting troupe. We are so blessed this year to have so many talented folks collaborating with us. Not to mention the incredible set and the beautiful costumes. As our other guest artist, Deborah Voigt said, "Being in the Grand Opera world, I am used to big singing in big costumes on stages with big sets, but they are nothing compared to this!" The vastness of the Conference Center tends to overwhelm our guest artists, to say the least.
The music is wonderful on this concert. Mack Wilberg has written a couple of entirely new 5-Star arrangements. Ryan Murphy has outdone himself with his fabulous arrangements. The orchestra is top-notch and the choir according to John Rhys-Davis is incredible. (Actually, he has showered so many accolades upon us that we blush to think about them.) But who got the standing ovation that stopped the show at the midpoint? None other than our "Rock Star" organist Rick Elliott. Every year he manages to top his last year's stellar performance. He is absolutely amazing!
This is a concert not to be missed! Merry Christmas!
Another treat is the section of the show where famed British actor John Rhys-Davies narrates the Christmas story from Luke 2. His powerful voice and interpretation leave everyone both exhilarated and in tears. During his other featured portion of the show, the audience gets to enjoy his considerable acting abilities in telling another wonderful Christmas story. (We aren't allowed to spill the beans, yet! But trust me, it is worth coming to the concert to experience. Cameras just won't be able to capture the thrill of watching all of the many interesting things going on all over the immense Conference Center.)
The dancers this year are particularly wonderful and talented. They dance many exuberant feature numbers including a section of Russian Christmas music by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. From ballet to gymnastics to Russian folk dance, these dancers provide quite a spectacle! There is also a feature acted out by a clever and talented acting troupe. We are so blessed this year to have so many talented folks collaborating with us. Not to mention the incredible set and the beautiful costumes. As our other guest artist, Deborah Voigt said, "Being in the Grand Opera world, I am used to big singing in big costumes on stages with big sets, but they are nothing compared to this!" The vastness of the Conference Center tends to overwhelm our guest artists, to say the least.
The music is wonderful on this concert. Mack Wilberg has written a couple of entirely new 5-Star arrangements. Ryan Murphy has outdone himself with his fabulous arrangements. The orchestra is top-notch and the choir according to John Rhys-Davis is incredible. (Actually, he has showered so many accolades upon us that we blush to think about them.) But who got the standing ovation that stopped the show at the midpoint? None other than our "Rock Star" organist Rick Elliott. Every year he manages to top his last year's stellar performance. He is absolutely amazing!
This is a concert not to be missed! Merry Christmas!
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