The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) will present its annual Spirit of Christmas celebration at the Concert Hall on Friday, 20 December, and Saturday, 21 December 2024. As the longest-running event in QPAC’s calendar, Spirit of Christmas offers audiences an opportunity to reflect on the season’s themes of peace, love, and community.
This year’s event will feature performances by musical theatre artists Rachael Beck (Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, The Sound of Music), Alinta Chidzey (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, CHICAGO, West Side Story), and Josh Piterman (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera). They will be accompanied by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Youth Orchestra, and the Spirit of Christmas Choir, under the direction of conductor Simon Kenway. The event will also introduce soloist Nick Smith, a recent graduate from Griffith University’s Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre.
Following several years of shortened programs, the 2024 season will reinstate the full two-hour concert format last seen in 2019. Additionally, this year’s concert will also be streamed for free on the QPAC website’s Digital Stage during the Christmas season, starting from 5pm on Christmas Eve until 5pm on Boxing Day.
Commenting on her participation, Rachael Beck expressed her excitement, saying:
I am delighted to return to the stage at QPAC; it is one of my favourite places to perform. I can’t wait to see the shining faces in the audience at Spirit of Christmas and celebrating all the blessings we have together.
Alinta Chidzey, also returning to the Spirit of Christmas stage, shared:
Singing Christmas carols with the illustrious Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Youth Orchestra, alongside the stunning voices of the Spirit of Christmas Choir and Voices of Biralee, has to be one of my favourite events to be part of. Being my third time back, I keep returning because of the joyous festive spirit, making it feel like my home away from home.
Josh Piterman echoed this sentiment, stating:
I can’t wait to get back to QPAC and return to Brisbane for what will be my third Spirit of Christmas concert. This is my favourite concert on the Christmas calendar and really, the title says it all: it upholds the true spirit of Christmas. For me that means; joy, hope, connection, respect, inclusivity, great music and above all: love.
QPAC’s outgoing Chief Executive John Kotzas highlighted the concert’s role as an annual tradition for many Queensland families:
The first Spirit of Christmas performance was in 1987, and since this time, the festive celebration has established a special place in the hearts of our community. It’s heartwarming to see how people have grown up with the concert and have a significant connection to the experience.
I am very proud of how Spirit of Christmas brings people together year after year and reminds us of the important things in life. We cherish being regarded as a place of celebration, joy and festivity.
Tickets for Spirit of Christmas are currently on sale, available via both the QPAC website, or by calling their box office team during business hours on 136 246.
