The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra continues its holiday concert tradition with Hometown Holidays on December 18 at 7:30pm live at FirstOntario Concert Hall. We celebrate the winter holiday season with festive favourites and a performance of, Making Light, written by HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte with text by Alexis Diamond.

Guest Conductor Thomas Le Duc-Moreau leads the orchestra on Making Light and a selection of beloved festive classics including Sleigh Ride and The Nutcracker Suite. Abigail Richardson-Schulte’s Making Light embodies the holidays in a distinctly Canadian way, with nods to the winter season’s traditions from various faiths that are all a part of today’s cultural landscape in Canada. The piece further embodies a collaborative spirit through its spoken lyrics written by Canadian playwright and librettist Alexis Diamond. The narration of Diamond’s text will be performed by Hamilton Children’s Choir member Mara Sweeney, and Canadian stage and screen actor R. H. Thomson, well-known for his role as Matthew Cuthbert in the CBC series Anne with an E. Making Light takes the audience on a musical journey exploring Christian, Islamic, Jewish and Hindu winter holiday traditions, with reference to the Anishinaabeg First Nations legend of the Northern Lights as well. This is the first performance of Making Light in Ontario and only the second time it has been performed live on stage

Patrons can join the HPO in celebrating the festive season live at the Concert Hall or online through livestream and on-demand viewing. In an effort to curb the continuing spread of COVID-19 in accordance with public health policy in the province of Ontario, proof of full vaccination and photo ID is required for attendees age 12 and over. This policy also applies to HPO musicians, staff, volunteers and contractors.

Hometown Holidays
December 18 at 7:30pm
FirstOntario Concert Hall
1 Summers Lane, Hamilton
Online viewing available

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About the HPO: For over a century, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has presented orchestral music and education programs with a mission to enrich the wellbeing of the greater Hamilton region. Music Director Gemma New and the professional musicians of the HPO present dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the HPO has proudly contributed to the shaping of Hamilton’s cultural landscape and continues to uphold values of high calibre, inclusive and accessible orchestral music and education for all.

Media Contacts:

Megan Nourse
Marketing and Communications Manager
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
905.526.1677 x209
mnourse@hpo.org

Kyla Lacroix Bardsley
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
klacroix@hpo.org