FLORENCE – UNA Opera is excited to present the Shoals with the collegiate premiere of “The House Without a Christmas Tree.”
Performances will take place in Norton Auditorium Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2:00 p.m.
In this captivating Christmas story, we meet Addie, a precocious child that doesn’t understand why her father dislikes Christmas so intensely–even refusing to allow a Christmas tree in the house. When Addie brings home a tree she won in a school contest, it leads to a miracle of sorts—her father’s broken soul is transformed.
“The House without a Christmas Tree” is a new opera, written by Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek, which premiered at the Houston Grand Opera last holiday season. It is based on an original story by Gail Rock and the beloved 1972 television movie of the same name.
Gordon chose to translate this into an opera because he said, “What you want a piece about the holidays to do, is for hearts to be opened and people to feel closer to one another.” Gordon and Vavrek accomplished both with this masterful score. 
The University of North Alabama Opera program, School of the Arts and Department of Music invite you to start the holiday season with this heartwarming story.
Purchase your tickets by visiting una.edu/schoolofthearts, contacting the School of the Arts Box Office at (256)765-5500 or by stopping by the School of the Arts Box Office on 126 W. Tombigbee St. (Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Fridays 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.).
Tickets are $12 for adults in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are $5 for children (17 and under) and UNA students.
For more information on any of the programs in the UNA School of the Arts or the Department of Music: una.edu/schoolofthearts or una.edu/music.
Media Release/Vanessa Borelly Vega, UNA School of the Arts
