Event

The National Sinfonia Orchestra (NSO), directed by Jessel Murray presents a Southern Christmas Concert featuring Festival Arts Chorale; celebrated South Singers Marlon De Bique and Michelle Dowrich, as well as pianist Sean Sutherland, on Sunday, 14^th December, 2008 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Harris Promenade at 6 p.m.  

The UWI-affiliated NSO returns to the South every year at Christmas to present a host of popular orchestra music, and this year is no different. The Orchestra will perform the ever popular Elgar Pomp and Circumstance; and the equally popular Poet and Peasant Overture, among other works. It will also lead the audience in its popular sing-along of Carol favourites. The Festival Arts Chorale, a regular collaborator with the NSO, will join the orchestra for a powerful version of the popular Carol “Do You Hear What I Hear” and the traditional “Hallelujah” Chorus among other works. 

This year a major feature of the concert will be solos by two of South’s most accomplished singers. Former Music Festival winner Marlon De Bique, tenor, (Best Operatic Solo and Best Spiritual), who has toured internationally with the Porgy and Bess will make his debut with the NSO performing music from Messiah.  Mezzo soprano Michelle Dowrich, a music teacher at St. Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando will also make her debut with the NSO, performing music from Messiah as well. Ms. Dowrich is a member of the Southenaires Choir and recently performed two sold out performances at the Naparima Bowl in July. 

Rounding out the concert will be Vincentian pianist Sean Sutherland, who will be flying in from Montreal to play the very popular and well known Grieg Piano Concerto with the NSO. Mr. Sutherland, an engineer by training, has studied piano privately at M.I.T. and has been well known in the region for his performances on piano in Trinidad and his native St. Vincent. 

Conductor, Jessel Murray says, “I am always delighted to do this concert in San Fernando. The audience response is always so warm and enthusiastic! People will recognise all of the music in the concert, it is almost like what people call a Pop concert.” Southern Christmas promises to have something for everyone to bring in the season.

Tickets are available at a cost of TT $100 and can be obtained from members of the National Sinfonia Orchestra, as well as the following venues The St. Paul’s Parish Hall Office and Sanch Electronix, King Street, St. Joseph.