Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square: Featuring Frederica von Stade and Bryn Terfel with Bryn Terfel, Frederica von Stade An extraordinary musical celebration with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square and special guests, Frederica von Stade and Bryn Terfel. Continue reading...

Guest Artists

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.

his specacular performance, recorded at the Choir's 2003 Christmas concert, features special guests Frederica von Stade, beloved American mezzo-sopranno, and Bryn Terfel, world-renowned Welsh baritone. Capturing the musical spirit of the season, the program blends traditional favorites such as "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful" and "The First Nowell" with Christmas music of other lands and cultures. From the Nigerian carol "Betelehemu" to "Tua Bethlehem dref," a Welsh carol sung by Bryn Terfel, and "A Bethleem allons vite!" a Czech carol sung by Frederica von Stade, the international flavor of the program reflects the common bond of Christmas shared throughout the world.