Experience the Christmas magic all over again!

Re-live the magic of A Madison Symphony Christmas 2018! This one hour special will be aired on PBS Wisconsin Sunday, December 20 at 4:00 p.m. Join John DeMain and special guests Cecilia Violetta López (soprano), Kyle Ketelsen (baritone), the Madison Symphony Chorus, the Madison Youth Choirs, and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir for a one-hour broadcast of our 2018 Christmas program featuring Christmas classics old and new. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Christmas with family or friends at home! Visit pbswisconsin.org to view their schedule and find your local channel.

Presented in partnership with PBS Wisconsin

Music Program

Traditional | Angels We Have Heard on High
Handel | Messiah, For Unto Us a Child is Born
Bach | Christmas Oratorio, Grosser Herr, O starker König
Bach | Concerto in D minor for Two Violins and Orchestra, Largo, ma non tanto
John Rutter | Angel’s Carol
Pietro Yon | Gesù Bambino
Mozart | Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, Laudate Dominum
Schubert | Mass No.5 in A-flat Major, excerpts from the Gloria
Handel | Messiah, Hallelujah
Mack Wilberg | A Christmas Roundelay
Michael W. Smith | All is Well
Luke Waddinge | Sussex Carol
Hugo Blanco | Mi burrito sabanero
Martin/Blane | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Coots/Gillespie | Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Leotha Stanley | 4 is for Christmas Joy
Traditional | God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
Adolphe Adam | O Holy Night

About the Soloists

About Cecilia Violetta López
Celebrated soprano, Cecilia Violetta López, has been named one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars” by Opera News. Ms. Lopez has received accolades for her signature role of Violetta in La traviata, which she has performed countless times throughout North America. Her début of the role was with Martina Arroyo Foundation’s prestigious summer festival, Prelude to Performance. She has also performed the role with Opera Tampa, Opera Idaho, Ash Lawn Opera, and in her company début with Virginia Opera. Ms. López also recently made her European début as Norina in Don Pasquale with Zomeropera in Belgium.

About Kyle Ketelsen
Kyle Ketelsen is in regular demand by the world’s leading opera companies and orchestras for his vibrant and handsome stage presence and his distinctive vocalism. He has won first prize in several international vocal competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Richard Tucker Music Foundation (Career Grant), the George London Foundation, the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, the Sullivan Foundation, Opera Index, and the MacAllister Awards. Highlights of Mr. Ketelsen’s recent seasons include performances at the Opernhaus Zurich, Staatsoper Berlin, Minnesota Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera Company, and the Metropolitan Opera, as well as performances with the San Francisco Symphony, the National Symphony and performances at Carnegie Hall.

Major funding for the 2018 “A Madison Symphony Christmas” concerts was provided by:
American Printing
Fiore Companies, Inc.
Nedrebo’s Formalwear
Richard and Pamela Reese , in honor of Maurice and Arlene Reese
BMO Harris Bank
Hooper Foundation/General Heating & Air Conditioning
Judith and Nick Topitzes
An Anonymous Friend

Additional funding was provided by:
Colony Brands, Inc.
J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.
Flad Architects, Forte
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
Wisconsin Arts Board