Presents

Sunday, December 14, 2:30pm

Brock Hall, Samford University

Stage direction by Natalie Bergeron

music direction by John Robertson

Approximate run time is ——. Sounds of the Season will have one 15 minute intermission.

Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices.

Director’s Note

What a joy it is to welcome you to Sounds of the Season! This performance is a celebration of the music, magic, and togetherness that make this time of year so special - and it has been brought to life through an extraordinary spirit of collaboration. From the very beginning, this project has been shaped by the shared creativity and dedication of our team. Working alongside our brilliant Music Director, John Robertson, and our phenomenal featured performing artist, Kevin Thompson, has been a true gift. Each meeting and rehearsal was a space where ideas flowed freely, craft and artistry intertwined, and the heart of this program revealed itself piece by piece.

Every musical choice, every interpretive detail, and every moment of emotional color emerged from our collective vision. It has been a privilege to build this experience together, and I’m endlessly grateful for the passion and generosity John and Kevin brought to every step of the process. We hope tonight’s performance fills you with warmth, wonder, and the spirit of the season. Thank you for being here to share these moments with us. May this evening bring light to your holidays and joy to your heart.

Natalie Bergeron, Stage Director

Order of Program

Act I

Candlelight Canon

Sweet Little Jesus Boy

Gesù bambino

The Virgin’s Slumber Song

Ose Shalom

What Child is This?

Panis Angelicus

O Holy Night

Mary, Did You Know?

I Believe

One 15 minute intermission

Act II

Believe

Edelweiss

Let’s Build a Gingerbread House

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)

Nutcracker Jingles

Surprise Number

Finale Sing-Along

Let There Be Peace on Earth

Creative Team

Cast

Click on the performer’s headshot to access their bio.

Production Team

Stage Manager: Alexis Reeves

Accessibility Services

At Opera Birmingham, we believe opera is for everyone. Opera Birmingham is committed to breaking down the barriers to participation that can impede access to the performing arts for the members of our community with both physical and hidden disabilities. In partnership with our performance venues, we offer a range of accessibility services with the goal of creating a more inclusive space where our performances and events are accessible to all.

For more information regarding Opera Birmingham’s accessibility services, please click the button below. If you don’t see something we should be doing re: accessibility, let us know! Email us at info@operabirmingham.org.

Individual Contributors

Angel 

Anonymous 

The Estate of Dr. Julius Linn, Jr.

Founder's Circle

The Estate of Mrs. James Briley

Brent and Karyn Uptain

Lee Woehle

Impresario Circle

Leslie Bailey

Tom Barnett

Dr. Andrew Duxbury 

Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman

Charles Gaston III

Deane Giles 

Jane Hinds 

Heyward Hosch

Margaret Jackson

Mary “Mimi” K. Jackson 

Amy and John Johnstone 

Opera Club Circle

Rebecca Adams

Lynn Ault

Tom Bloetscher

Barbara Buchanan

Sheila M. Chaffin

Peter Casten and Cecil Clark

Dr. and Mrs. John Clemmensen

Tatjana Coric

Anna Cooper Cox

Andrew Duxbury

Wanda Elkourie

Barbara G. Fant

James and Mary French

Robert and Mary Gibson

Judith Hand

Martha Hare

Jane Hinds

Lynne Hutton

Fred and Mary Ruth Ingram

Drs. Amy and John Johnstone

Daniel and Sharon Lawhon

Mrs. Mary Wills LeCroy

Carolyn W. Long

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION and GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTORS

Alabama Power Foundation

Alabama State Council on the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts

Bessemer Trust Company

Birmingham Jewish Foundation

Borland Benefield

The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

City of Birmingham

The Daniel Foundation

Dunn-French Foundation

Friends of Avondale Park

Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation

Howarth and Smith Attorneys at Law

The Huisking Foundation

Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation

Jones Family Fund

TRIBUTE GIFTS

GIFTS IN MEMORY

Stephen Chazen by Hon. Scott and Cameron Vowell

Dorothy M. Foster by Barbara G. Fant

Charles, Catherine, and Frank Huisking by The Huisking Foundation

Kelli Karazim and Mark Karazim and Amy Karazim by The Mure Family

Dr. Julius Linn, Jr. by Mrs. Jane Hinds, Drs. Amy and John Johnstone, and Liz Saunders

Tommy Thompson by Andrew Duxbury

GIFTS IN HONOR

Kathleen Buccleugh by Ralph Smith

Jim and Kathy Emison by Mrs. Jane Hinds

Katy Ottensmeyer by Barbara Buchanan

Jonathan M. Smith by Robert and Pam Smith

Lee Woehle by Martha Hare

Emily Wood by Deborah Medenica

Thank you for your support. This donor list represents gifts made to Opera Birmingham between  July 1, 2025 and December 9, 2025. We want to reflect all giving accurately, and deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please contact Lynne Hutton, Director of Development, at lynne@operabirmingham.org or 205-322-6737 with any corrections. Thank you!

THERE IS ROOM FOR YOUR NAME TOO!   Show your support:

Online: OperaBirmingham.org/give

Email: Info@operabirmingham.org

Call: 205-322-6737

sponsors

Our season is made possible by additional grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Alabama Power Foundation, and the Hugh Kaul Foundation.

ASL Interpreters for the 2025-2026 season sponsored by Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman.

The artists in the Opera Birmingham Studio at Samford University program are generously sponsored by Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman.

Kevin Thompson is generously sponsored by Martha Pezrow.

Music Director John Robertson is generously sponsored by Mary K. “Mimi” Jackson.

Student tickets are supported by The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Steinway is the official piano of Opera Birmingham

Alabama Media Group is the Official Media Sponsor of Opera Birmingham

Special Thanks

Samford University School of the Arts and Dr. Lance Beaumont, Dean

Samford Academy of the Arts

Deanna Bell

Margaret Heron