Fresh off our acclaimed staging of Bizet’s Carmen last July, we return this holiday season with our eagerly anticipated Christmas concert. Our loyal patrons have always said that “Christmas begins with the Marionettes”. And this year, more than ever before, we are working to usher in a spirit of peace, joy and thanksgiving this holiday season.
This is a concert series with a difference. Ten years ago, soon after the events of 11th September 2001, we presented a series of inter-faith community outreach concerts across the nation, called A Prayer for Peace. It was a time that cried out for peace, love, unity, forgiveness and hope, and the Marionettes visited communities all over the country spreading renewal and restoration through music. Now, ten years later, at another time of local and international conflict and upheaval, the Marionettes and bpTT offer up A Prayer for Peace II.
As always, audiences can look forward to the Chorale, under the expert direction of conductor Gretta Taylor, weaving the Yuletide theme through a mix of classical, spiritual, gospel, popular Christmas favourites and parang, focusing more than ever on upliftment, healing, hope and peace. Partnering with us once more are our sponsors of 39 years bpTT, and a decorated creative team including Franklin Agarrat, Leslie Clement, Noble Douglas (with Charlene Harris and Dave Williams), Randy Halfhide, Margaret Sheppard and Celia Wells.
In collaboration with sponsors bpTT, we will also present what is often the highlight for us of the concert series: our traditional special matinée on Saturday 3rd December, a free performance for senior citizens and children from institutions across the island which care for some of our society’s most vulnerable.
There is much to do to improve our society, and in the last five years, we have managed to raise over TT$1 million for a wide range of charities doing amazing work across our nation and the region. This year, as there is no gala performance and it is almost impossible to select just one charity with which to partner, all proceeds from the entire concert series will benefit not one but six important charities:
- the LoveUntil Foundation’s countless social outreach programmes that provide care for abandoned children, battered women, HIV positive patients, drug addicts, and many other people in need the Laventille community of Port of Spain
- the fund for the restoration of a national monument, the Cathedral for the Immaculate Conception
- the fund for the rebuilding of the La Madeleine Orphanage in Haiti
- the All Saints Church renovation fund
- the Greyfriars/St. Ann’s Church of Scotland restoration fund
- and, since charity begins at home, the Marionettes’ own Property Fund.
Tickets are regularly priced at $200 (reserved) and $150 (open plan). Tickets go on sale from Monday 14th November from the Marionettes (email@marionetteschorale.com or (868) 790- 1751); online at https://marionettes-christmas.eventbrite.com; and at the Queen’s Hall Box Office (tel: 868-624-1284).
Shows times are 7:30pm on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd; and 5:30pm on Sunday 4th December.
Our two holiday CDs – A Christmas Album (featuring the bpTT Renegades) and Sing Noel – will also be on sale during the concert, and the full albums and individual tracks are available online at iTunes, CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, and TrinidadTunes.com.
For more, see the Marionettes’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/marionetteschorale.
