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Charlotte Symphony brings holiday concerts home with live-streaming amid COVID-19

Nov 19, 2020

By Catherine Muccigrosso, The Charlotte Observer 

Having just begun rehearsing together in person a few weeks ago amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on Thursday announced its holiday concerts.

The line-up includes traditional music mixed with new surprises such as resident conductor Christopher James Lees conducting and playing the harpsichord at the same time, said Deirdre Roddin, a symphony spokeswoman.

Lees will use facial cues and other ways to communicate timing and musicality while performing, Roddin said.

Another first will be the premiere of "A Carolina Christmas Carol" by Emmy Award-winning composer Gary Fry of Charlotte.

The three concerts include two to be live-streamed concerts from the Knight Theater in uptown, according to the symphony.

"At Home for the Holidays" will be live-streamed at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12. The concert, led by Lees, will include traditional favorites and surprises including Fry's "A Carolina Christmas Carol." Tickets cost $25. The show will be available on-demand through Dec. 28.

"The Story of the Nutcracker" also will be streamed live at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19. Also led by Lees, the one-hour, family-friendly adaptation of music from Tchaikovsky's ballet will include a retelling of the story through narration. Tickets cost $15. It will be available on-demand through Dec. 28.

"A Baroque Celebration: Old World, New Year" will be recorded in advance and available Jan. 1-8. Works include those by J.S. Bach, Telemann and Dall'Abaco. Lees, for the first time, will conduct while playing the harpsichord. Concertmaster Calin Ovidiu Lupanu will perform as a soloist. Tickets are $25.

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