This Is (Callea's) Christmas

Gift giving just got easier this Christmas with news of a long awaited Christmas album by Anthony Callea to be released in November. 

Titled  'This Is Christmas'  the album includes many of the most requested songs he has performed over the past 10 years at the Vision Australia Carols By Candlelight, a must for all Callea fans and lovers of the festival season this Christmas.  The official press release, and track list  can be read below the pictured cover art.

Anthony Callea one of Australia’s finest voices, is thrilled to reveal that he will release a brand new Christmas album, ‘This Is Christmas’, on November 8, 2013.

Anthony returns to the studio with producer and long-time friend John Foreman along with an incredible 55 piece orchestra to record this much anticipated new Christmas album; The follow-up to Anthony’s first album on ABC Music, ‘THIRTY’, which was released in April this year and achieved a No.18 ARIA Album Chart debut. ‘This Is Christmas’ will feature twelve iconic Christmas songs, from ‘The First Noel’, to ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day’.

Featuring guest vocalist Tim Campbell on ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’, the esteemed National Boys Choir on ‘Ave Maria’ and ‘O Holy Night’ and one of the most beautiful acapella versions of ‘Amazing Grace’ you’ll hear, ‘This Is Christmas’ is a stunning collection of beautifully arranged tracks that are especially close to Anthony’s heart. The release of ‘This Is Christmas’ in 2013 is a fitting occasion, as this year marks the tenth consecutive year of Anthony’s involvement with Melbourne’s Carols by Candlelight and working relationship with Musical Director John Foreman, who produced the record breaking and multi-platinum selling single ‘The Prayer’.

Anthony says “Christmas truly is my favourite time of the year and I can’t describe how excited I am to be releasing ‘This Is Christmas’. It’s been a long time coming and to be able to create this album with John Foreman along with a talented orchestra, The National Boys Choir and with musicians who are the finest in the country, I couldn’t be more proud and overjoyed about this album. I sincerely hope this album captures the spirit and meaning of Christmas for all and will live on in many homes for Christmases to come.”


‘THIS IS CHRISTMAS’  Track listing
1. Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day
2. The First Noel
3. Christmas Baby, Please Come Home
4. Silent Night (feat: Stuart Fraser on Guitar)
5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
6. Ave Maria (feat: The National Boys Choir)
7. Do You Hear What I Hear?
8. Mary Did You Know
9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (feat: Tim Campbell)
10. Amazing Grace (feat: Susie Ahern, Michelle Serrett, Rod Davies
11. O Holy Night (feat: The National Boys Choir12. Note To God

Candlelight's warm glow

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Carols Confirmation

Callea By Candlelight

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without  Vision Australia's Carols By Candlelight, and Carols By Candlelight just wouldn't be the same without Anthony Callea.

Thankfully Anthony has again donated his time and talent to this most worthy cause.

Enjoy Anthony and a host of other performers Christmas Eve on Channel 9, or soak up the atmosphere live at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl.

Not So Silent Night

source Cairns Post - with thanks to Diissee

Layla To Shine

Brighton East youngster Layla Bodnar will be in experienced hands next week for her starring role in the Carols by Candlelight at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Layla, 5, who has just been named the face of the event by Vision Australia, will be joined by singer Anthony Callea, who has been made official ambassador.

Just six weeks old when diagnosed with a serious eye condition, Layla remains an inspiration, say her parents Max and Konji.

As for Callea, it is the second time he will be the show's ambassador and the sixth time he has performed at the much-loved event.

"I couldn't imagine spending Christmas Eve any other way," he said.

"In the role of ambassador I've been lucky enough to meet some fantastic kids and their families who are achieving remarkable things despite being blind or having low vision.

"Their stories have inspired me and it will make this year's performance a lot more meaningful for me."

Layla wins a heart

The rain did little to dampen the spirits of five-year-old Layla Bodnar, the face of Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight this year, who stole the hearts of viewers watching the Official Launch of the 2009 Carols By Candlelight on Channel Nine's TODAY show.

Layla certainly made an impression on Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight Ambassador Anthony Callea, who visited Layla and her family recently to see how the event helps to provide services for children like Layla.

Anthony is a huge fan of the event - he is always a popular performer at the iconic event and took on the role of Ambassador two years ago. He explained to weather presenter Shura Tuft that the event was special to him and he gets "goosebumps" as a performer.

Carols Launch

Anthony fans, it's that time of year again - time to get in the festive mood and join Vision Australia for the official launch of their flagship fundraising event, Carols by Candlelight.

As the official countdown to Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight begins, the Today Show's weather presenter will broadcast live from City Square and play host to some of the entertainers performing this year, including Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight ambassador Anthony Callea, Ricki-Lee Coulter and musical guru John Foreman.

If you are not in Melbourne, fear not, you can tune into the fun on Channel 9's TODAY show from 6am.

Anthony The Ambassador

Anthony Callea has been announced as the 2009 Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight Ambassador.

For the past 5 years he has definitely cemented his name as a true favourite at the carols and this year will be no exception. Anthony was also Amassador in 2007.

"I couldn't imagine spending Christmas Eve any other way than being part of Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight. I feel honoured once again to be asked to be their ambassador and I look forward to working with this wonderful organisation to help promote the amazing work they do for the vision impaired in the country."

The Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight is broadcasted nationally on Christmas Eve on the Nine Network.

Couple Hit New Stage

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More Things We Love This Week

It's Enough To Make Anyone Green With Envy!

Anthony Callea and Kate Law reunited backstage.

Kate Law loves nothing more than to sing. So the Vision Australia client was very excited when she found out that she was going to see the Broadway musical Wicked in Melbourne with mum and dad.

Kate's trip from her Geelong home to one of the most popular productions in Melbourne became a day to remember when she was also given the opportunity to be reunited with Vision Australia's 2007 Carols by Candlelight Carols Ambassador and Aria Award winner, Anthony Callea.

Kate, along with her brothers Jacob and Nicholas, spent a lot of time with Anthony Callea in the lead up to last year's Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight, but they have not seen each other since Christmas Eve.

So Kate was understandably excited when Anthony took time out of his busy schedule to say hi and pose for a few photos backstage before the show.

Kate was also among a number of Vision Australia clients who took advantage of the audio description service for this show.

Clients were also given the opportunity to take part in a tactile tour of the costumes and stage.

"I was lucky to spend so much time with Anthony last year so it was very nice to meet him again. I really liked Anthony's character in the show too - he made me laugh," she said.

Due to popular demand Vision Australia will provide another audio description of Wicked on Saturday 10 January at 2pm at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne.

For more information or to book tickets please contact EASE Ticketing, on 03 9699 8497 or email ease@artsaccess.com.au

source - Vision Australia Website