NACO, Dec. 15-16: Christmas with The King's Singers and the NAC Orchestra

Christmas with the NAC Orchestra and the King’Äôs Singers on December 15 and 16

Ottawa (Canada) ’Äì The National Arts Centre Orchestra’Äôs annual Christmas concert features the celebrated King’Äôs Singers in a festive yuletide program on Monday, December 15 and Tuesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. in the NAC’Äôs Southam Hall. The King’Äôs Singers have just this month added a 2009 Grammy nomination to their 40^th anniversary celebrations. Christmas with the NAC Orchestra and The King’Äôs Singers is led by Rob Fisher making his NAC Orchestra conducting debut.

For four decades, The King’Äôs Singers have been one of most sought-after vocal ensembles in the world making hundreds of international appearances each season including top venues such as New York’Äôs Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Centre, and Washington D.C.’Äôs Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Their nearly seventy recordings have garnered critical acclaim and significant awards, including a Grammy in 2001. This Christmas they released the holiday disc Rejoice and Be Merry! with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which will be featured in a television special on PBS on December 24. Their recent Grammy nomination is for Simple Gifts in the Best Classical Crossover Album category.

Performing both with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and in their familiar a capella style, the King’Äôs Singers ’Äì David Hurley and Robin Tyson, countertenors; Paul Phoenix, tenor; Philip Lawson and Christopher Gabbitas, baritones; and Stephen Connolly, bass ’Äì

will present in three sets such songs as Noel Nouvelet, O Holy Night, Away in a Manger, The Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, the Wassail Song, Wexford Carol and Ding Dong Merrily on High. Between the sets, Rob Fisher will lead the musicians in orchestral works such as Rimsky-Korsakov’Äôs Polonaise from the Christmas Eve Suite and Dance of the Clowns from The Snow Maiden; Anderson’Äôs Bugler’Äôs Holiday with principal trumpet Karen Donnelly and guest trumpets Michael Fedyshyn, and John Ellis; and Vaughan Williams’Äô Fantasia on Greensleeves.

In describing the program, conductor Rob Fisher says: ’ÄúSongs of joy, songs of faith, songs of anticipation ’Äì the holidays have inspired great music through the ages. This music connects us to our deepest feelings about the holidays, our loved ones, and the generations preceding ours’Ķ Sentimental soul that I am, I look forward to this music every year. For this program, the King’Äôs Singers are performing music that spans many traditions over several centuries. Their choice of holiday music is as timeless as its presentation. May the music connect us all.’Äù

Tickets for Christmas with the NAC Orchestra and the King’Äôs Singers on Monday, December 15 and Tuesday December 16 at 7 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $40.00, $52.00, $62.00, $68.00 and $79.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’Äôs website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.