Christmas concert to celebrate stories and carols with Maria Kanyova

Judson University’s Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts will host its annual Christmas event with an afternoon of stories and carols at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Judson’s Herrick Chapel and two other locations on campus as well as virtually.

"Guest Artist-in-Voice Maria Kanyova will delight the audience with Christmas songs and favorite Christmas stories gleaned from the Judson community," a news release stated.

Kanyova is an internationally acclaimed opera soprano and wife of Judson Music Chair Robert Kania. She has performed in leading operatic roles in many of the country’s largest opera houses, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the San Francisco Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the Houston Grand Opera, the Dallas Opera, the New York City Opera, the Chicago Opera Theater, and the Canadian Opera Company.

Kanyova will appear in Herrick Chapel with the performance viewed in person in Herrick Chapel and simulcast to two other locations, Creekside South, Room 126, and Thulin Auditorium in Thompson Hall, all of which are on Judson’s Elgin campus.  Audience members will be gently screened upon arrival and asked to wear masks for the duration of the performance.

Philanthropy group Friends of Judson will sell Christmas crafts, amaryllis bulbs, nuts, candy, and gift cards in the upper level of Betty Lindner Commons before and after the concert with proceeds benefiting Judson students.

Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/y6j8pj56 and are not available for purchase at the door. Ticket prices (plus handling fees) for each venue follow:

• $50 for Herrick Chapel
• $20 for Creekside South, Room 126
• $20 for Thulin Auditorium in Thompson Hall

To view the live broadcast, visit facebook.com/JudsonU.