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‘tis the season
M ore so than any other time of year, music plays a Philharmonic for three performances of George Balanchine’s The
central part of the holiday season. Nutcracker™, December 5-6. Set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting
Composer Leroy Anderson, who wrote the music score performed by the full orchestra, this lavish staging features
for the Christmas-classic Sleigh Ride, summed up music’s extravagant costumes and scenery.
singular role during the holidays: “Music has the most special As the final shopping days loom before the 25th, Holiday
and the most personal place in our lives,” Anderson told Pops provides respite from long lines at the mall. This patron-
WTIC radio. “There’s a variety…that you can’t get with just favorite stars singer/songwriter/actor Storm Large, the Naples
decoration, you can’t get with just a spoken word, because Philharmonic, Chorus and Youth Chorus in an all-new
music has a wider range of expression.” program of holiday favorites and new classics.
Artis—Naples’ holiday music lineup is dedicated to this In her first appearance with the Naples Philharmonic,
seasonal variety of expression. The festivities began this past Large is enthused by the challenge posed by performing with
month with the symphonic-pop of Mannheim Steamroller, a full orchestra.
easily the best-selling holiday music artist in the US. And “It’s a challenge to go from a rock ‘n’ roll situation, (a four-
saxophonist Dave Koz delivered some smooth swing during piece combo), to a 70-80 piece orchestra, only in an energetic
his ensemble’s Christmas concert on November 28. sense,” says Large. “I have to grow energetically to surf the
These concerts were an appropriate prelude to the blend symphonic wave—not louder, just bigger. I probably sing
of traditional and contemporary performances coming in technically louder with a rock band. But the challenge brings
December. the reward. I love the full-body effect of that many instruments
“We are thrilled about the exciting and varied programs breathing and releasing all around me, lifting and pushing all of
during our upcoming holiday season,” says David Filner, Vice us around in (their) sweet current.”
President, Artistic Operations.“Between Storm Large and our Finding the balance between making holiday classics her
Naples Philharmonic Chorus and Children’s Chorus during own while maintaining their original spirit is no problem for
Holiday Pops, to the luscious voices of the Ten Tenors and the vocalist.
our fabulous New Year’s Eve concert, featuring Andrey and “I am a total Christmas dork, so I just try to keep the spirit
the Naples Philharmonic, we have something for everyone of what I love about the season in any of the songs I do,” says
this holiday season.” Large. “Joy, mirth, silliness, hope—to me, Christmastime is to
On December 1 and 3, the Naples Philharmonic and remember the magic that dazzled us as kids— not to forget
Naples Philharmonic Chorus present A Choral Christmas. our worries, but to bring our attention back to love, family and
Led by Assistant Conductor Yaniv Segal, the program will lightheartedness.”
feature music from three Baroque masters—Vivaldi, Bach The Ten Tenors premiere their new show, Home for the
and Handel. Handel’s Messiah, one of the most revered and Holidays, when they arrive to Hayes Hall on December 29.
frequently performed choral works in Western music, will Australia’s opera stars will share classic holiday songs from their
come dramatically to life with the 100-voice chorus. The new album, Our Christmas Wish, with a few extra surprises.
December 3 performance will be held at the First Presbyterian “We have also included non-holiday favorites that will
Church in Bonita Springs. make your patrons want to get up and dance in their seats.
Marie and her Nutcracker Prince navigate a winter And without giving too much away...when was the last time it
wonderland when the Miami City Ballet joins the Naples snowed in Naples?” says the ensemble.
To learn more, visit artisnaples.org
