Following the success of September’s streamed concert by The Choir of Man: Live from London, OPAS announces its second foray into virtual presenting with a special concert by patron favorites Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy entitled A Celtic Family Christmas at Home. The on-demand concert will be available for streaming from 12pm midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 8 through 11:59pm on Thursday, Dec. 31.
Streaming tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the MSC Box Office (979)-845-1234 or MSCOPAS.org and must be purchased by 4:30pm on Friday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $20 for a single stream and $30 for a group/family stream (patrons choosing to stream with more than one person). The box office will provide the streaming code to the ticket buyer within one business day. Codes may be used at any time during the streaming window but cannot be shared or they will become obsolete.
“We set the bar pretty high with The Choir of Man. The office was flooded with positive feedback after that September concert," OPAS Executive Director Anne Black says, "As we approached identifying our next offering, we knew it had to have that personal connection. Natalie and Donnell are delivering that. Personally, I can’t wait to see their seven children perform as part of this special holiday concert!”
No strangers to OPAS patrons, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy played to sold out audiences in February 2005 with Leahy as part of OPAS Season 32 and in October 2011 with Masters of the Fiddle as part of OPAS Season 39.
The Dec. 8 concert will be performed from the fiddling power couple’s Canadian home. OPAS patrons can expect an hour-long performance as the MacMaster-Leahy family share music, culture, Christmas traditions, and general ‘real-life’ family dynamics. They will fiddle, dance, sing, bake, chat about favorite Christmas memories, and—technology permitting—may even be joined virtually by their band.
“Given our children’s ages and personalities, there will be many candid moments along the way. I’ve heard it said that every disadvantage creates an opportunity," MacMaster says. "Well we have embraced this chance to perform for a crowd in such a unique way and are eagerly awaiting the moment you all show up at our front door, ready to welcome you home!”
With over half a million albums sold, Natalie and Donnell have amassed countless nominations and award wins — including but not limited to GRAMMY Award win and nomination, JUNO Award wins and eight nominations, 20 East Coast Music Association awards, and five Canadian Country Music Association’s “Fiddler of the Year” wins — as well as three honorary doctorates, an induction into the Casino Nova Scotia Hall of Fame, and a membership in the Order of Canada.
