Christmas at Liverpool Philharmonic by Liverpool Philharmonic

Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com

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Musicans left to right: Aimee Sweeney (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir), Michelle Steern (flute, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra), Ian Bracken (cello, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra), Pam McNamara (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir), Taran Harris (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir), Sarah Hill (viola, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra), Sameeta Gahir (piccolo, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra), Graham Johns (percussion, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra), Anthony Williams (double bass, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra).

Our musicians are joined by two young audience members, Woody Kelly and Imogen Ryan.

Welcome to Christmas at Liverpool Philharmonic. Join us for a warm welcome and a festive feast of music, film, carols and family fun!

Make your season merry and bright with a selection of Christmas music, including Liverpool’s favourite Spirit of Christmas concerts, hosted by John Suchet and this year featuring incredible violinist Pavel Šporcl. There will be fun for all the family at our Sing-along with Santa concerts – fancy dress optional! Treat yourselves to a festive film screening with Elf at the start of December, and of course we’ll have our special Christmas Eve showings of the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life. Banish your post-Christmas blues and take your film experience to the next level with Ghostbusters: Film with Live Orchestra, with the iconic soundtrack performed live by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra! The theme’s Bond – James Bond – for our New Year’s Eve celebrations, so see in the new year in style with 007. Then join us in January for our annual performance of Handel's magnificent Messiah.

Film

Elf (cert PG) Tuesday 10 December 7.30pm

Director Jon Favreau Starring Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen

‘Santaaaa! Oh my God! Santa – here? I know him!’ Buddy (Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father…with increasingly chaotic results.

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Enjoy this festive family favourite in the stunning surroundings of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, on our unique Walturdaw cinema screen – the last working one in the world! Watch it rise from the stage, with organ accompaniment from resident organist, Dave Nicholas. You can also head to our bars before the film for festive drinks and snacks – you might even be able to get the ‘World’s Best Cup of Coffee’! Tickets £15, £12, £10 Please note, this film screening does not include live orchestral accompaniment

Clare Teal with Guy Barker – In the Christmas Mood

Chamber Series

Christmas with Septura Thursday 12 December 7.30pm St George’s Hall Concert Room

Wednesday 11 December 7.30pm

Guy Barker conductor Clare Teal singer Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Schütz Das Wort ward Fleisch J S Bach Christmas Suite Praetorius Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen Brahms Chorale Prelude: Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen Handel Messiah: highlights Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite*

Swing into Christmas with Clare Teal, in this glittering salute to the unforgettable songs that define the holiday season. Clare, joined by jazz royalty Guy Barker, will perform ʻThe Christmas Songʼ, ʻAll I Want for Christmas is Youʼ, ʻMerry Christmas Babyʼ and many, many more – all sung with Clare’s inimitable style and supported by the luxurious sound of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

*Tom Redmond narrator ‘The playing is simply superb.’ – Brass Band World A brass septet with a dazzling difference, made up of some of the UK’s most virtuosic players, Septura can play practically anything – and they do, with results that have been described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘brilliantly articulated, audaciously coloured, technically flawless’. In short, they’re a sensation – and this Christmas spectacular features everything from medieval hymns to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Hearing is believing!

Tickets £46, £36, £27, £22, £15 Sponsored by

Tickets £28

Clare Teal

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Booking fees may apply – see page 18 for more information

Family Concert

Sing-along with Santa Saturday 14 December 11.30am & 2.30pm Sunday 15 December 11.30am & 2.30pm

Michael Seal conductor Alasdair Malloy presenter Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Liverpool Philharmonic Children’s Choirs

He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice – and now he’s asking you to sing along! That’s right, Santa himself is leading the musical fun today, and he’s going to take you on a trip to some of the places he likes to visit on Christmas Eve! You’ll need to bring your best singing voices – and that goes for the whole family – but don’t worry, the Liverpool Philharmonic Children’s Choirs are here to help, and this is a musical Christmas treat filled with seasonal songs that everyone will know and love. A treat for all the family – whether you’ve been naughty or nice! Concerts last approximately one hour. Fidgeting is fine and fun is guaranteed, so come along and give it a try! Children and families are invited to have a go on a variety of instruments, from 30 minutes prior to each concert at our Instrument Petting Zoo in the Grand Foyer.

Tickets £29, £18, £15 (adult) £16, £12, £10 (child)

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Spirit of Christmas Saturday 14 December 7.30pm Tuesday 17 December 7.30pm Wednesday 18 December 7.30pm Friday 20 December 7.30pm Saturday 21 December 7.30pm Sunday 22 December 2.30pm

Ian Tracey conductor John Suchet presenter Pavel Šporcl violin Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir

It wouldn’t be December without our annual Spirit of Christmas concerts – they’re a Liverpool tradition. That means a glorious selection of Yuletide music, with classic carols and Christmas cheer from conductor Ian Tracey, our superb choirs, and a very special guest, superstar violinist Pavel Šporcl, alongside seasonal readings from our host – Classic FM’s John Suchet. Come into Liverpool Philharmonic Hall for a warm festive welcome, and of course, get ready to join in some carols too!

‘A unique and magical musical selection box; sensitive and sweeping, majestic and merry. Glorious - Five (Sparkling) Stars.’

Tickets £49, £40, £35, £27, £21

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Booking fees may apply – see page 18 for more information

Pavel Šporcl

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Film

It’s a Wonderful Life (cert U) Tuesday 24 December 11am & 2pm

Director Frank Capra Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers

‘You’ve been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.’

Capra’s perennial festive favourite, starring James Stewart as a desperate man offered salvation by an impish guardian angel. Beautifully crafted and acted, its humour and gentleness imbued at times with an almost Dickensian darkness, the film is now a cult classic, one of the most popular and enduring of all Christmas traditions. There’s nowhere better to see it than on our Walturdaw screen and these Christmas Eve screenings are a Liverpool tradition of their own. We’ll have festive refreshments and snacks available from our bars before each showing, to really help you get into the Christmas spirit! Tickets £17, £13, £10 Please note, this film screening does not include live orchestral accompaniment Sponsored by

Booking fees may apply – see page 18 for more information

Ghostbusters: Film with Live Orchestra (cert PG) Saturday 28 December 7.30pm Sunday 29 December 7.30pm

Dirk Brossé conductor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

We ain’t afraid of no ghost! Grab your proton pack and join New York’s original paranormal investigation and elimination team for an adventure where anything could happen - and does. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, a 100-foot marshmallow man and a whole lot of ectoplasm, Ghostbusters is a wisecracking, dimension-crossing caper for all the family - and for this special festive screening, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra plays Elmer Bernstein’s brilliant score live with the movie. All together now: who ya gonna call? Tickets £55, £50, £40, £30, £25

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New Year’s Eve: James Bond Tuesday 31 December 7.30pm

Alfonso Casado Trigo conductor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Singers from West End International Jenna Lee-James, Rachael Wooding, Jon Boydon, Nadim Naaman

Licensed to thrill: and as you begin your countdown to midnight, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra pours itself a martini and adjusts its black tie for an evening with Britain’s greatest secret agent. That means gadgets, supervillains and some of the most iconic signature tunes in cinematic history, delivered tonight by stars from West End International. They say that Diamonds are Forever, but these tunes are every bit as enduring – and as brilliant. Nobody does it better: with 007, you’re guaranteed to end 2019 on an all-time high. Tickets include a glass of fizz on arrival, to help get the celebrations started! Tickets £52, £43, £38, £30, £24 Sponsored by

Booking fees may apply – see page 18 for more information

Messiah Saturday 4 January 7pm (please note start time)

Handel Messiah

Hallelujah! When King George II first heard Handel’s Messiah, he leapt to his feet in excitement. You don’t have to do that, but we reckon you’ll recognise the music anyway, because from Ev’ry Valley to the Hallelujah chorus itself, Messiah contains some of the most uplifting music ever written, and it’s become a seasonal tradition. With the inspirational Sofi Jeannin conducting, and Artist in Residence, Jennifer Johnston leading a world-class cast, you’ll experience all the freshness, inspiration and joy of a truly timeless classic.

Sofi Jeannin conductor Jeanine De Bique soprano Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano Oliver Johnston tenor William Thomas bass Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

Tickets £49, £40, £35, £27, £21

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Jennifer Johnston © Gerard Collett

Jeanine DeBique

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Booking fees may apply â&#x20AC;&#x201C; see page 106 for more information

Perfect Presents Stuck for what to get for that someone special this Christmas?

Gift Cards

Dedicate a seat

Silver Membership

Gift cards can be exchanged for a huge range of events from classical, pop, rock, folk, comedy and film to world premieres, spine tingling choral works and our summer season concerts!

If you’re looking for an extra special gift for a music lover, or a lasting dedication for a loved one, make your mark on Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and dedicate a seat.

A present that’s not just for Christmas! Gift a Silver Membership to the music lover in your life, and they can enjoy the benefits all year, including invitations to open rehearsals, use of our Private Members’ Bar at Orchestral concerts with complimentary refreshments, and an invitation to our Season Launch, with priority booking for the Orchestral season!

Order online at liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 709 3789

You’ll also become a Silver Member and receive access to the 1840 room – our Private Members’ Bar – for all Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts, as well as invitations to exclusive events. Prices from just £200 per year or £15 per month.

For more information, visit liverpoolphil.com/ member, email fundraising@ liverpoolphil.com, or call us on 0151 210 2921.

To learn more, please call the Fundraising Team on 0151 210 2921, email fundraising@ liverpoolphil.com or visit liverpoolphil.com/seat

Memberships from £150, and you’ll receive a Liverpool Philharmonic Christmas card, and a Silver Membership card to give on the big day.

So take the stress out of Christmas shopping and share the magic of Liverpool Philharmonic with your friends and family.

Booking Information How to Book

Plan Your Visit

Group Discounts

Online liverpoolphil.com

For directions, public transport and parking details, as well as information on refreshments, access and FAQs, visit liverpoolphil.com/planyour-visit

Generous group discounts of up to 20% are available for most concerts. For more details email group.bookings@liverpoolphil. com or call 0151 709 3789.

Telephone 0151 709 3789 In Person / Post Box Office, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP For opening times, visit liverpoolphil.com/get-tickets Booking Fees Online / Phone Orders 8% per ticket administrative fee, including postage In Person No charge

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Accessibility Joining our free Access Scheme is the best way to help us provide you with the support you need, and to access a variety of information and benefits, including complimentary tickets for carers, access to wheelchair and transfer seating etc. For more information and to join the scheme, visit liverpoolphil.com/access

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