Since the 1995 release of the song “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24,” the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has reinvented Christmas music. They have mounted a national tour for their popular rock opera “Christmas Eve & Other Stories” that will bring them to Portland this holiday season.
The Theatre of the Clouds at the Rose Garden will host the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s production Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s like ‘Phantom of the Opera’ with more rock edge to it,” said Paul O’Neill, producer, composer, lyricist and guitarist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. “It’s a full-scale musical production that brings together the stirring elegance of a classical orchestra along with the power and fury of a hard-rock band surrounded by stunning lighting.”
O’Neill said part of the inspiration in creating the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was the desire to find a way to take music to a deeper emotional level, and he believes rock operas accomplish that by setting the songs in the context of a story.
O’Neill originally created the CD’s centerpiece song, “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24” for his rock opera “Dead Winter Dead” in 1995. The song was based on the true story of a cellist who continued to play outdoors amid the gunfire and violence surrounding him in his native city of Sarajevo.
“This album was an attempt to capture the magic that Christmas Eve somehow — against impossible odds — seems to work on the human spirit,” O’Neill said.
According to Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Web site (www.trans-siberian.com), “Christmas Eve & Other Stories” is the story of heaven’s youngest angel, sent on a mission from God to find the one thing on Earth that represents the spirit of Christmas, and in the process, he helps bring home a runaway child.
“It’s traditional Christmas music done with a rock-symphonic twist,” said Tim McGrath, director of marketing for House of Blues concerts.
He said the Trans-Siberian Orchestra appeals to people of many faiths other than Christians and brings a feeling of warmth and kindness to the audience.
“It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season,” McGrath said. “It’s festive — and God knows we need some kind of festivity this year.”
“Christmas Eve & Other Stories” has become the fifth-largest grossing holiday event, following performances such as the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes, the “Nutcracker Ballet” by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.
“Everyone is just so into the music,” O’Neill said. “You can see it in the looks on their faces; they’re just so connected with what we’re doing, and it is wonderful to tap into people’s passions and emotions, especially during the Christmas season.”
Continuing with the spirit of goodwill, the Portland radio station KVMX will donate $1 of every ticket sold to Self Enhancement Inc., a charity dedicated to helping inner-city youth, according to Susan Reynolds, the station’s marketing director.
Stan Sittser, marketing director at the Rose Quarter, said last year’s performance drew a great turnout, and now that the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has “the buzz,” he expects this year’s performance to also draw a large crowd.
“It’s a Christmas concert with a rock beat,” Sittser said. “It’s not your father’s Christmas music.”