Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will wrap up 2014 by performing their rock opera The Christmas Attic live for the first time in arenas across the nation on their Winter Tour 2014, beginning on November 13th. While 1998's The Christmas Attic features one of the band's most popular songs "Christmas Canon," surprisingly, it is the only album of The Christmas Trilogy never to be performed live. The 2014 Winter Tour will find TSO playing more than 120 shows in 71 cities across North America. The tour goes on sale on September 12th (see www.trans-siberian.com for details) and will be presented by Hallmark Channel.
TSO creator, lyricist and composer Paul O'Neill explains, "After kicking off the New Year in front of two million fans at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, followed by our second European tour, the band felt that a perfect way to end the year would be to perform the only rock opera from the trilogy that has never been seen live. Some of the songs off The Christmas Attic have never been played live. As I have always said 'it is fun to write the songs, it is fun to record them, but they are never really completed until we perform them in front of a live arena audience'. Of course the second half of the show will feature, TSO iconic classics and fan favorites, such as "Wizards In Winter," "Requiem" and "Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo 12/24"".
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's rock opera, The Christmas Attic will be re-released, to coincide with the tour, complete with bonus tracks, as well as a special vinyl edition. Called an "...inspiring story..." by USA Today and "Majestic, sweeping, ..." by Billboard magazine. The album's (and stage production's) narrative begins on Christmas Eve, when a young girl's curiosity leads her to a night of mischief and magic. She decides to sneak up into the attic of her parents' home while she should be asleep and there discovers a magical doorway to the past in the form of a mysterious trunk filled with ornaments, toys, old records and bundles of handwritten letters. A startling discovery in one of the letters, leads to an unlikely adventure.
TSO, which celebrated its 15th year of live shows last year, has consistently ranked in the Top 10 for yearly gross revenues and attendance, according to touring industry trade Pollstar. The group has played more than 1,600 shows for more than 11 million fans, and in the process, cemented itself as one of the world's biggest arena rock acts. This ongoing success is due to TSO founder Paul O'Neill's vision. O'Neill has melded the sound and fury of rock with the storytelling of Broadway to create a unique amalgamation he calls "rock theater" that leaves crowds of all ages speechless. Additionally, TSO's live performances receives raves from critics, such as: "As the enthralled audience members filed out of the arena, more than one person was overheard saying something to the effect of 'It gets better every year'," "This current tour demonstrates once again the incredible showmanship of Trans-Siberian Orchestra," and "The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is evidence that the genres of rock opera, progressive rock and symphonic rock have not died, and that they actually are thriving... What's cool about it is that the people of all ages and all walks of life can enjoy it."
As in all previous years, a portion of all ticket sales will go to benefit select local charities. The consistent growth of TSO's touring popularity has increased the group's contributions and, to date, TSO has donated more than $11 million to local charities.
While off the road, TSO is constantly stockpiling new projects in their arsenal, including the rock operas Gutter Ballet and the New York City Blues Express, Letters from the Labyrinth, and Romanov: When Kings Must Whisper, an epic story set amidst the Bolshevik Revolution.
TSO will unveil exciting information on new music in the next few months. Stay tuned to http://www.trans-siberian.com/ for more details.
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