Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir

Former Tabernacle Choir guest artist and Tony Award-winner, Brian Stokes Mitchell, is back to remember and relive twenty years of inspiring Christmas concerts. From opera, gospel, and pop singers to Broadway and cabaret stars; from Shakespearean actors and movie and television stars, the Choir’s guest artists provide, not just formidable talent, but a little something for everyone.

"Longfellow's Christmas" is the story of Henry Longfellow, living in 19th Century Cambridge, Massachusetts. After tragedy befalls his family, he struggles to find the meaning of Christmas, but ultimately learns that war, injury, and even death are not the end, but a beginning. Edward Herrmann narrates accompanied by The Tabernacle Choir and Bell Ringers.

Beloved guest artist, Brian Stokes Mitchell takes us on an exciting and intimate journey backstage during the making of “20 Years of Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir,” a show he hosts. Mitchell describes how it feels to perform in the magnificent space, (with and without an audience). He also shares a personal pandemic story and reflects on the true meaning of Christmas.

"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly", is a 1920 English version of a 14th-century Polish carol. In this powerful arrangement by Mack Wilberg, Brian Stokes Mitchell is joined by the Tabernacle Choir in its first-ever all-virtual performance. Previously recorded videos of each individual Choir member float on the screen, reminiscent of the heavenly host of angels.

Laura Osnes performs “Do You Hear What I Hear?” accompanied by the Tabernacle Orchestra at Temple Square.

Watch this joyful “Angels from the Realms of Glory” montage, performed by The Tabernacle Choir and orchestra, and featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Kristin Chenoweth, Laura Osnes, Renée Fleming, Rolando Villazón, Deborah Voigt, Alfie Boe and Nathan Gunn. This song has become the signature finale of The Tabernacle Choir’s annual Christmas concerts.

In this clip, recorded after 9/11, Angela Landsbury addresses the attacks and their impact on the country. She sings “Not While I’m Around,” by the great Stephen Sondheim, from the musical “Sweeney Todd.” Landsbury is accompanied by the Tabernacle Orchestra at Temple Square.

Welsh carol “Suo Gân,” featuring opera star Bryn Terfel, accompanied by the Tabernacle Orchestra at Temple Square.

Gospel favorite “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” featuring Gladys Knight, and accompanied by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

“Campana Sobre Campana,” a traditional Andalusian Christmas song, is one of the most famous of all Spanish carols. In this song, heavenly angels ring the bells of Bethlehem, inviting all to join with the shepherds and see the Christ Child in the manger. Here, operatic tenor Rolando Villazón sings and is accompanied by the Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra at Temple Square.

The American music critic John Sullivan Dwight translated the lyrics of this carol, one of the most dramatically beautiful Christmas songs ever penned, into English in 1855. In this arrangement by David T. Clydesdale, Ms. Chenoweth pays homage to the great Sandi Patty, who performed this same arrangement with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in 2006.

Isaac Watts’s 1719 paraphrase of Psalm 98, set to music by Lowell Mason, is now one of the most popular Christmas hymns in North America. In this high-spirited arrangement by Mack Wilberg, continuous running passagework in the orchestra and the addition of bells and herald-trumpet fanfares illustrate the excitement of the Christmas season.