With "A Christmas Festival" by Leroy Anderson and Mack Wilberg's "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square opened this year's edition of their annual Christmas Concert.

The LDS Conference center was filled to capacity Friday evening with an audience ready to enjoy the music of the season.

Invited to join the choir and orchestra, which was conducted in part by Wilberg and Craig Jessop, were world-renowned soprano Renee Fleming and actress Claire Bloom.

One of the most sought-after singers on the world's opera stages, Fleming lent her remarkable voice to the Christmas spirit that filled the center.

Before Fleming and Bloom came on stage, the orchestra opened the evening with Anderson's "Christmas Festival," a medley of popular Christmas songs.

That was followed by the Wilberg piece and two carols, "How Far Is It to Bethlehem?" and "Carol of the Bells." The latter was accompanied by the Bells on Temple Square.

Fleming's first set opened with "Joy to the World," "What Child Is This?" and the French carol, "Bring a Torch." Fleming sang nine songs in all. Seven of them were new arrangements by Wilberg written specifically for Fleming for this concert.

After Fleming's first set, the choir and orchestra performed "For Unto Us a Child Is Born" from Handel's "Messiah," and "O Holy Night," during which they were joined by the celebrated soprano.

Venerable British actress Bloom then came on stage and narrated a Christmas story set in Russia at the start of the revolution in 1917.

The orchestra accompanied her with music by Alfred Reed.

One of the many highlights of the evening was Fleming singing "Poor Mary" by Katherine K. Davis, a song that Fleming grew up hearing her mother sing.

The choir and orchestra were joined by members of the University of Utah Ballet Department for a delightfully choreographed and performed rendition of "Winter Wonderland."

After that, Fleming gave a heartfelt interpretation of "I'll Be Home for Christmas," which she dedicated to the men and women stationed in Iraq.

After "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," another Wilberg arrangement, and Bloom narrating the Christmas story, the 90-minute concert came to a glorious end with the French carol "Angels from the Realms of Glory."

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