The beauty and
bustle of the holiday season seems to start earlier and earlier each year, but some traditions remain true: Christmas begins
with the Marionettes!
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 local
calypso and parang. This year the choir also reunites with old friends the bpTT Renegades.
It’s
a special anniversary year for the entire cast, as the Marionettes Youth Chorale celebrates its 15th anniversary, and the
Renegades celebrate 40 years of partnership with bpTT, who have also sponsored the Marionettes and Youth Chorale for 38 years.
The Christmas with the Marionettes concert series opens on Thursday 2nd December with a fundraising charity
gala. The rest of the concert series runs Friday 3rd December through Sunday 5th December. In collaboration with sponsors
bpTT, the group will also present its traditional special matinee on 4th December, a free performance for senior citizens
and children from various institutions across the island.
Tickets are $250 for the
charity gala, and $200 (reserved) and $150 (open plan) for the rest of the run. Tickets go on sale on 15th November, and are
available at the Queen’s Hall Box Office (tel: 624-1284), from members of the Chorale, and online at CaribbeanBoxOffice.net.
The Chorale’s two holiday CDs – A Christmas Album (which features earlier collaborations
with the 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 and TrinidadTunes.com.
For the latest information,
visit the Marionettes' Page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/marionetteschorale, or send a message
to email@marionetteschorale.com.
ABOUT THE MARIONETTES:
Founded in 1964, incorporated as a nonprofit in 2005, and sponsored by bpTT since 1972, the Marionettes
Chorale (Hummingbird Medal Gold) is one of the Caribbean's most celebrated choirs, both at home and abroad. In 1995,
the Youth Chorale was formed, comprised of boys and girls from over 30 schools throughout Trinidad & Tobago who regularly
share the stage with their senior counterparts. Led since 1974 by conductor Gretta Taylor, assistant musical director Susan
Dore and secretary and founder member Joanne Mendes, the choirs mount at least two major productions a year, showcasing a
repertoire ranging from European Renaissance to Caribbean Folk and Calypso. Web: http://www.marionetteschorale.com
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