Tickets for Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s 2012 Winter Tour: The Lost Christmas Eve went on sale September 14. This year, the progressive metal group will be performing their 2004 rock-opera album, The Lost Christmas Eve in its entirety. Fans of the group are highly anticipating the chance to see the group perform the album live for the first time since its album release.
The Lost Christmas Eve is the third installment in the band’s trilogy of Christmas albums. It is preceded by: Christmas Eve and Other Stories, the group’s first album released in 1996, and The Christmas Attic which followed in 1998.
Written by founder Paul O’Neill, The Lost Christmas Eve tells the uplifting story of redemption and salvation on an enchanting Christmas Eve in New York City. The orchestra takes listeners on a journey deep into their imaginations, from a run-down hotel, to an old toy store, a blues bar and a Gothic Cathedral.
On trans-siberian.com, Paul O’Neill explains, “The whole idea was to create a progressive rock band that would push the boundaries further than any group before, following in the footsteps of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pink Floyd, the Who…but take it way, way further.” And that is certainly what audiences can expect to see at this year’s winter tour. The show is expected to include amazing views of lights and sparkle, accompanying astonishing music that notes classical artists such as Mozart and Liszt.
The tour begins in Iowa on November 15 at the Mid-America Center. Notable venues along the way include: The World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado on November 17, Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on November 23, The Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois on December 8, and TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on December 23. The tour will conclude on December 30 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All locations along the way will offer both afternoon and night performances.
“I’ve always believed that music has the power to transport and transform,” O’Neill explained. “The original concept of Trans-Siberian Orchestra was how to make music have the most emotional impact. We always try to write melodies that are so infectious they don’t need lyrics and lyrics so poetic that they don’t need a melody, but when you combine the two together they create an alloy where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole …they create a story which gives each song a third dimension.”
Last winter, the band took stages across the country by storm, performing their Christmas Eve and Other Stories album. The Centre Daily Times noted that highlights from the winter 2011 tour included an incredible light show, sound effects and snow falling from the ceiling of the arena to put guests into the Christmas Spirit.
Audience members sang along to popular Christmas carols such as “Carol of the Bells,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Times Record News explained that the performance consisted of about 20 cast members, playing varying instruments including violins, flutes, electric guitars and drums.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra started their yearly winter tour tradition when they hit the road in 1999. At each show, the band donates one dollar from each ticket sold to a local charity, setting an example that Christmas is a time for giving and helping those who are in need.
