Portland Orchestra Presents 'Magic Of Christmas'

Merrill Auditorium is transformed into a magical holiday wonderland, with the Kotzschmar Organ Prelude concert setting the scene an hour before each show.

This year’s program celebrates the many aspects of the Christmas season, from traditional to festive, and from intimately spiritual to rollicking good fun, with a few surprises along the way. Long-time Magic of Christmas attendees will enjoy favorites like “Sleigh Ride” and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, while the audience sing-along will fill the hall with thousands of voices. Musica de Filia Girlchoir gets audiences into the spirit of the season with “Christmastime is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas, while Portland Ballet will add a little jazz to this year’s Magic, dancing to “Peanut Brittle Brigade” from Duke Ellington’s swinging version of The Nutcracker.

Magic of Christmas will be conducted by Mark Mandarano and directed by Good Theater’s Brian P. Allen, with guest vocalists David Burnham and Brunswick native Ellen Domingos. In addition to the Musica de Filia Girlchoir and Portland Ballet, the all-volunteer Magic of Christmas Chorus will once again delight with their heartfelt performances.

Magic of Christmas is sponsored by Hannaford Supermarkets, IDEXX Laboratories, KeyBank and Northeast Delta Dental. A total of fourteen performances run December 14 - 23, with morning, afternoon and evening shows. -- www.portlandsymphony.com