The Wonder of Christmas with Renee Fleming, Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, Bryn Terfel, Frederica von Stade As part of their annual Christmas music tradition, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform a series of Christmas concerts. Now the spirit of Christmas embodied in these annual concerts is captured in Christmas at Temple Square. Featuring special guests such as Angela Lansbury and Frederica von Stade, this selection of live performances will become a part of your Christmas tradition. Continue reading...

Guest Artists

Renee Fleming

Renowned for her exquisite voice, stylistic versatility, and captivating stage presence, American soprano Renee Fleming is recognized as one of today's great artists. Acclaimed as the "gold standard of soprano sound," the two-time Grammy Award winner's vocal artistry is sought after on the world's most distinguished stages and in recordings. Her most recent appearances include performances in Othello with the Royal Opera at Covent Garden, the Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart, and Spain's Festival Internacional de Santander, among others. Ms. Fleming was honored with the 2004 Classical Brits Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2003, she was bestowed with Honorary Membership by the Royal Academy of Music as well as an honorary doctorate from The Juilliard School, where she had studied opera. In addition to her position on the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Hall Corporation, Ms. Fleming is also a strong advocate for literacy and has recently published a book of memoirs called The Inner Voice.

Angela Lansbury

One of the most enduring, versatile, and hard-working actresses around, Angela Lansbury has made an indelible impression in the world of performing arts. A three-time Oscar nominee, twelve-time Emmy nominee, and four-time Tony winner, her accomplishments speak for themselves.

Audra McDonald

New York Times columnist Frank Rich has compared Audra McDonald to a young Barbra Streisand; writing in USA Today, critic David Patrick Stearns has likened her to a young Judy Garland. Whichever comparison people choose, there can be little doubt that Audra is a once-in-a-generation performer. By the time she was 28, she had made Broadway history, winning Tony Awards for Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime. She earned her fourth Tony nomination in six years for Marie Christine, a musical re- telling of the Medea myth, created for her by Michael John LaChiusa. Since then, Audra has distinguished herself as a concert performer, recording artist, and dramatic actress, adding an Emmy nomination to her expanding list of critical and popular acclaim. Born into a musical family, Audra grew up in Fresno, California. She received her classical vocal training at The Juilliard School, graduating in 1993.

Bryn Terfel

Bryn Terfel was born and raised in northern Wales, where he was singing onstage in Eisteddfod competitions by the age of four. He graduated from London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and in 1989 he won the Lieder Prize at the Cardiff Singer of the World competition. He has appeared in all major opera houses in the world and has recorded several award-winning CDs. His repertoire includes a diverse range of music from opera to German lieder to his beloved Welsh folk songs. He has also recorded two best-selling albums of show songs by Rogers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Lowe. In 2003 he was awarded with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for service to opera by Queen Elizabeth II. Though he performs all over the world, he still maintains strong ties with Wales and brings a mixture of opera, Welsh rock, and traditional music back into his own community.

Frederica von Stade

Frederica von Stade's career has taken her to the stages of the world's great opera houses and concert halls. She has appeared with every leading American opera company and has had an impressive career in Europe as well. She is invited regularly to appear in concert with the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, London Symphony, Washington's National Symphony, and the Orchestra of LaScala. She has made over three dozen recordings in various musical genres, several of which have garnered national and international awards. In 1983 she was honored with an award given at the White House by former president Ronald Reagan in recognition of her significant contribution to the arts. She was awarded France's highest honor in the arts in 1998. Ms. von Stade has appeared with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir twice before, most recently during the Cultural Olympiad of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

s part of their annual Christmas music tradition, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform a series of Christmas concerts in the Conference Center on Temple Square. These concerts have become the country's preeminent Christmas musical event, bringing world-renowned guest artists to a total audience of more than 80,000 concertgoers each year and millions more over national television. Now the spirit of Christmas embodied in these annual concerts is captured in Christmas at Temple Square. Featuring special guests such as Angela Lansbury and Frederica von Stade, this selection of live performances will become a part of your Christmas tradition. Release Date: September 26, 2006