Livinia Nixon will co-host Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight this year, making her debut alongside David Campbell
In a hard year when so many friends and families have been kept apart, it is time to unite for the 83rd staging of Vision Australia’s wonderful Christmas celebration. But Carols in 2020 will be a little different. While still coming live from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, there will be no audience in attendance and families are encouraged to share in the Christmas spirit by watching from home.
Livinia Nixon said: “I am thrilled to be involved in my first Carols by Candlelight alongside David, in what has truly been a year like no other. There has been so much hardship and struggle, and to quote one of my favourite carols; “We need a little Christmas”. I’m hoping we can help people focus on the joy of Christmas and what we have to be thankful for.
“With incredible performers on a spectacular night I hope we can also raise some much-needed money to support children and families who are blind or have low vision.”
David Campbell said: “I always love this time of year. I think this year, more than ever, we all need to celebrate the festive season with joy, with loved ones and with carols. It will be different not seeing the crowd holding candles up in the air, or the kids singing along, but this Christmas Eve will be as magical as ever. And remember, Santa Claus and his reindeers have special permission to travel to every country in the world to spread the Christmas cheer.”
As if by Christmas miracle, with the reopening of the Queensland border, pop superstar Dami Im will be able to travel from the Sunshine State and return to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl to perform.
Italian-Australian actress, cookbook author, TV cookery show personality and opera singer Silvia Colloca joins Carols in 2020 to perform alongside tenor singing sensation Michael Leonardi.
Fresh from winning The Voice this year, Chris Sebastian will make a triumphant return to Carols after last performing alongside his brother Guy in 2005.
The hosts will be joined by the beloved Carols by Candlelight family of Anthony Callea, Tim Campbell, Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino, David Hobson and Denis Walter, along with musical director John Foreman, choirmaster Doug Heywood, and of course Santa.
In an addition to this starry lineup, Carols by Candlelight will have more of Australia’s best performers, who will be announced in the coming weeks.
Carols by Candlelight is Vision Australia’s biggest fundraiser event of the year, with funds raised on the night going directly towards supporting more than 25,500 people who are blind or have low vision. You can donate here: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate.
8.00pm Christmas Eve on Nine.
