With hopefully no lockdown to worry about this year, Arts Centre Melbourne is kick-starting the festive season by announcing a swath of events taking place during the festive season in the lead-up to Christmas. From one-off events to multi-show performances, scroll down to see if any of these catch your attention:
Making Gravy
One for the adults and now in its fourth incarnation, Paul Kelly’s Making Gravy concert is being held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 9 December 2022. The night will celebrate songs from Kelly’s four decade-long. As the shows namesake, you should definitely expect to hear his 1996 song ‘How to Make Gravy‘.
Messiah
For only the second time in Australia at Hamer Hall from 10-11 December 2022, Sir Andrew Davis’ new orchestration will be performed.
The oratorio contains the famous “Hallelujah!” chorus which has been quoted in popular culture since its creation and is commonly performed around Christmas. Rather than follow a specific biblical narrative, the text of Messiah is taken from various passages in the Old and New Testament. The vibrant arias and recitatives bring colour and urgency to the subject matter, with Handel utilising visceral word-painting throughout.
Christmas Melodies
Arts Centre Melbourne will be hosting their annual Christmas concert in the Hamer Hall on 12 December 2022. Join host Gorgi Coghlan for a warm festive sing-a-long with music theatre stars Thomas McGuane (Hans, FROZEN) and Sarah Krndija (Margaret, 9 to 5 The Musical) as well as the Pasefika Vitoria Choir led by music director Rita Seumanutafa-Palala and The Salvation Army Band led by musical director Ken Waterworth.
Unfortunately tickets have sold out. But, Arts Centre Melbourne encourage those interested in attending keep their eyes on the event page, to see if more tickets become available.
Home Alone Performed Live
Conducted by Nicholas Buc and complete with a choir, you can experience the Christmas comedy classic Home Alone from 14-15 December in Hamer Hall. The films score will be performed live to picture by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
The Muppet Christmas Carol sees The Muppets perform the classic Charles Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Gonzo, as Dickens, narrates the story with the help of Rizzo the Rat. The film also features Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig and Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim. As its title should indicate, the score to this film will be performed live as it unfolds on the big screen.
The Nutcracker
The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet returns to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall from 20-22 December 2022 to perform The Nutcracker, one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions and popular Christmas ballets. This production features choreography by former Principal Artist of The Australian Ballet, Christine Walsh, and features 65 dancers from The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, international guests, and 60 musicians of the ACB Orchestra, conducted by renowned conductor Peter Bandy.
Carols by Candlelight
Whether enjoying it in-person or on the television, is there a more Australian way to welcome in the Christmas season than watching Carols by Candlelight?