Adelaide Festival Centre Presents 2009 Christmas Proms 12/18, 12/19

Summer's here...and surf's up at the Festival Theatre! A 1950s beach party will form the theme for the 2009 Adelaide Festival Centre Christmas Proms, with special guests Silvie Paladino and Bernard Walz at the Festival Theatre on 18 and 19 December.

Joining them are the ever-popular 32-piece Adelaide Art Orchestra, and 12-part Adelaide Vocal Project, conducted by Timothy Sexton, with the beloved Festival Theatre Silver Jubilee Organ once again making a guest appearance.

As well as all of your favourite traditional Christmas carols, be prepared for some beautiful lesser-known carols and even some musical theatre delights! A special feature will be the premiere performance of a brand new Christmas carol written by South Australian literary icon Max Fatchen with music by Timothy Sexton.

Silvie Paladino is one of Australia's most versatile entertainers and has also performed in Asia, Europe and on London's West End. Well known for her regular appearances at Melbourne's Carols by Candlelight, she has also performed at many sporting events and sung the national anthem at the 2005 Australian Football League Grand Final. Her musical theatre credits include principal roles in Les Miserables, Cats, Miss Saigon, Hair, Mamma Mia! and her Helpmann Award-nominated performance as Rita in the world premiere of Sideshow Alley. She was nominated for a Green Room Award for her acclaimed 2001 one-woman show Silvie Paladino Sings Streisand from which she has also released a live CD of this performance. Silvie's concert performances include lead artist with The Melbourne Symphony, The Sydney Symphony, The West Australian Symphony, The Australian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. More recently she toured Australia with Patrizio Buanne.

Bernard Walz is "Australia's Premier Pops Pianist" and combines a cheeky sense of humour with an infectious enthusiasm for music. Winner of numerous awards including three "MO" Awards, his music literally takes him around the world: from Adelaide's Capri Theatre to the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Concert Hall to Royal FestivAl Hall with the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Village Vanguard in New York and across the USA and Europe. He has toured with the likes of Michael Crawford and the late harmonica legend Larry Adler and performed with many of Australia's major symphony orchestras. From the music of the Great Masters to the best of Broadway, ragtime, boogie and film music, his passionately intense interpretations garner rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. His interpretations of the music of George Gershwin prompted Larry Adler to comment: "...I only wish Gershwin were alive to hear Bernard play...he would have loved it." He has released five albums including Christmas album Christmas Gifts: A Musical Celebration.

Founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Timothy Sexton and concertmaster Carolyn Lam, the Adelaide Art Orchestra is a regular feature in Adelaide's dynamic music scene. Appearances in 2009 included an encore performance of their highly acclaimed 2008 regional tour of the radio show Glenn Miller and Friends for Country Arts SA as well as several events in this year's Adelaide Cabaret Festival, including accompanying headline performer Bernadette Peters.

The exquisite harmonies of the Adelaide Vocal Project have made them a popular Adelaide performance ensemble since their formation in 2001. They are well-known for critically acclaimed performances of contemporary music and the award-winning Australian productions of Philip Glass operas Einstein on the Beach, Satyagraha and Akhnaten, in partnership with Leigh Warren & Dancers and State Opera.

What: Adelaide Festival Centre Christmas Proms 2009

Venue: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
When: Friday 18 December, 11am and 7:30pm
Saturday 19 December, 6:30pm
Cost: Family of 4 $99 (extra child $25), Adult $35, Child 3 - 17 years $30, Concession $35.
Bookings: BASS on 131 246 or online at www.bass.net.au

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