Big Bird with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square
December 11th through 14th a very special event played at the Conference Center on Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square welcomed renowned artists Santino Fontana and The Sesame Street Muppets for a wonderful Christmas Concert.
Santino Fontana seranading Muppets Bert and Ernie
If you don't know who Santino Fontana is, my guess is you'll remember his voice! He is the speaking and singing voice of Prince Hans from the popular animated film Frozen.
The Count Counting the 12 Days of Christmas!
The Choir's Christmas Concerts are always a treat. Having the Muppets there made the concert even better! I mean, who doesn't like Big Bird?
Here is a little taste of the concert:
My friend Don, who sings with the choir, issued this invitation a few days before the concert series began: "Please come standby to the Muppet Concert. It's worth standing in line for!"
Santino with Big Bird and friends Cookie Monster, Elmo and Abby Cadabby
This is the first time the Choir has been joined by an all-puppet cast. I wish I could have been there to see it!
My friend Don is seated just above Big Bird's head
This concert was a total sell-out!
Choir Member Don and friend
Sadly, the rest of us will not be able to see this delightful production until next year. The Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert airing this year on PBS stations (It premiers on December 19th, check your local listings) will be last year's concert featuring American operatic soprano Deborah Voight and famed Welsh Actor John Rhys-Davies, who is perhaps best known for playing the dwarf Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the charismatic Sallah from the Indiana Jones films.
Don posing with cast members
Now, here's a view you don't often get to see! The concert venue from the choir's perspective:
A view most people never get to see!
Bert and Ernie perform with (my favorite) Elmo
The entire cast and crew
I love the Muppets. Making them a part of this concert was a brilliant idea.
Don posing with a concert promotional poster
Don is a lucky duck to get to participate in these concerts, although I can only guess they are hard work and quite exhausting as well.
Dancing children cavort onstage
These productions are so professionally done, and so lavish in concept and design, you forget that, with the exception of the professional guest stars, they are performed entirely by non-professional artists who volunteer their time and talents.
Elmo and Abby Cadabby
Elmo and Abby (above) were startled to learn that the Tabernacle Choir members and the musicians of the Orchestra at Temple Square, do not get paid! I, for one, appreciate that they share their talents with us at this time of year. I love the MoTabs and I love the good feelings that their music brings into my home.
No comments:
Post a Comment