Christmas in the Chapel promises grand celebration in Mackay
Music lovers are set to experience something extraordinary when three acclaimed performers bring their Christmas spectacular to an intimate Mackay venue.
A beloved Christmas tradition is set to fill one of Mackay’s most atmospheric spaces with soaring vocals, timeless carols and a few surprises for the audience.
Australian classical crossover soprano Suellen Cusack said this year’s Christmas in the Chapel concert would be a heartfelt celebration of the festive season.
“It is a celebration of everything that we love with Christmas music, from all of the standards that we’ve heard for years to all of the incredible contemporary favourites like Michael Bublé,” she said.
Christmas in the Chapel will be held on Saturday, December 13 at St Joseph’s, North Mackay, and will feature Ms Cusack alongside opera singer Daniel Szesiong Todd and contemporary music theatre specialist Jessica Savage for a performance that promises a “truly unforgettable concert experience filled with character and acoustic warmth”.
Ms Cusack said performing her new release, Silent Night, would be one of the most meaningful moments of the show.
“When I was young and we’d put up the Christmas tree and my mum loves Christmas so we had Christmas paraphernalia everywhere and we would listen to Bing Crosby and the Three Tenors and later in life Michael Bublé came in as well,” she said.
“It’s really special for me having a Christmas single out and now that’s a part of my own family’s playlist for Christmas.
“I think that’s really special.”
She said the show’s style was inspired by grand Christmas concerts around the world.
“It’s a bit like the BBC Proms for us. It’s all about the songs, the voices, the gowns and the grandness,” she said.
Ms Cusack is looking forward to performing alongside her two long-time friends.
“It’s quite surreal to be honest with you,” she said.
“Jessica and I grew up together and then we went to the conservatorium together and Daniel I met on the BRAVO Cruise of Performing Arts.
“We’ve done Christmas in the Chapel for the last three years and we’re really excited to bring it to Mackay.”
Ms Cusack said she held a deep admiration for musicians from the area and originally hailing from Bundaberg knew first-hand how important it was to bring shows like this to regional communities.
“There’s a high level of musicians that come from Mackay so it’s really special for us to be able to come there and visit and know that the music and the style that we perform in will be appreciated there. I think that’ll be really lovely,” she said.
“It’s so wonderful to perform in the capital cities but it’s so beautiful to be able to bring shows like Christmas in the Chapel to regional towns where they don’t necessarily get the opportunities of capital cities.
“I think this is going to be really special, not just for the audience but for us as performers.”
She also revealed there may be more Christmas music in the works.
“I think next year there’s going to be plans for a Christmas album so I’m really excited for that,” she said.
“I think doing Silent Night with Damian really gave me a taste of it and I love Christmas.”
Ms Cusack said the performance was designed for the whole family to enjoy.
“This concert series, in particular, is really generational. When we look in the crowd there’s mums and dads, there’s teenagers who are musicians themselves, we have grandparents and their grandbabies there,” she said.
“I think there’s really something for everybody.”
Ms Cusack said this next stage of her career felt more personal than ever.
“This next chapter feels different,” she said.
“It’s more honest, more authentic – I think people can hear that.
“I’m just grateful. Grateful that I get to do this. In this industry, you never take that for granted.”
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