With the year drawing to an end and Christmas fast approaching, it is time to get in the spirit of the season and start celebrating! klpac ends the year with a music extravaganza entitled Candlelight Christmas from 17 to 19 December in Pentas 1.
The klpac Orchestra has come full circle since making its debut in 2006 also with a Candlelight Christmas concert. The success of its first family-friendly and festive concert paved the way for more similar concerts. Some may recall last year’s acclaimed production of Handel’s Messiah which played to full houses and was attended by people from all walks of life.
This year, the orchestra follows up with another Christmas offering featuring 60 musicians under the baton of beloved Music Director and Resident Conductor, Brian Tan. Adding to the splendour of the concert is a choir of 60 singers led by Choral Director Susanna Saw.
Christmas means different things to different people. More and more the commercial aspects such as gift exchanging are played up. However, many hold Christmas dear to their hearts not because of such material exchanges but because of the many wonderful memories that are created of this short period of time, year after year. A time of sharing and reflection particularly amongst families and loved ones, one way to cherish and celebrate the spirit of the season is through the gift of music.
Music knows no boundaries and can be shared with friends and families across different faiths and background. Christmas music is certainly not only reserved for the confines of a church as has been proven by the past concerts at klpac. People from all walks of life flock to experience the beautiful music that only comes about once a year.
Joe Hasham, Artistic Director of klpac, comments “The concert programme is filled with all-time favourites from the classics to today’s popular tunes such as Nutcracker Suite, Away in a Manger, O Holy Night, Let It Snow and O Come All Ye Faithful. Some will be performed by the orchestra while others together with the choir. It will be a grand concert indeed with a few solos and special arrangements thrown in for fun and variety.”
Brian Tan, Music Director & Resident Conductor and Susanna Saw, Choral Director, adds “There is some really beautiful music written for the Christmas season and such a diverse range too. We even have carols from the Argentinean and Puerto Rican region. Music speaks to the heart of the people so old or young, Chinese-speaking or English-speaking, it does not matter. All you have to do is close your eyes and immerse yourself in this deeply moving music that stirs the soul of your heart.”
Candelight Christmas marks the last of the many exciting productions by klpac this year. In January 2011, klpac will be collaborating with The Necessary Stage, Singapore, to bring in the acclaimed production called Model Citizens. In the same month, klpac will also be bringing back its hugely popular Open Day, an all-day creative arts festival that is free for all to participate and attend. For more information, visit www.klpac.org.
- klpac presents ‘Candlelight Christmas’ from 17 to 19 December 2010 at klpac’s Pentas 1. Tickets are priced at RM60, RM40 and RM20 for students and the disabled. Call 03-4047 9000 or walk in to klpac, The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 to purchase tickets. For more information, visit www.klpac.org.
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