WS Chronicle

Under the dynamic baton of Music Director Michelle Merrill, the Winston-Salem Symphony will present “A Carolina Christmas” on Sunday, Dec. 1, at R.J. Reynolds Auditorium. Ring in the holidays with this performance featuring your favorite carols performed by the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus, and guest soprano – and Maestro Merrill’s former classmate – Dee Donasco. 

Praised as an artist who embraces vocal versatility, Philippine-born soprano Dee Donasco has attracted attention with a voice that crosses a variety of musical genres. Equally at home with opera, oratorio or recital, jazz and pop, musical theater, and accomplished in classical works ranging from baroque to modern contemporary, she brings rewarding vocal and dramatic range to her work. 

She has appeared as a featured guest artist with Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, North Carolina Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She also performed for the Duke Ellington Foundation’s Holiday Celebration in New York City, plus her critically acclaimed performances as the title role in Mozart’s “Bastien und Bastienne” and Alba in Rodriguez’ “La Curandera” with Opera Piccola San Antonio. A Carolina Christmas marks Donasco’s debut with the Winston-Salem Symphony. 

The concert will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, at R.J. Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road. Tickets start at $29 ($10 for children 12 and under) and can be purchased online at wssymphony.org or by calling the box office at 336-464-0145. 

The Winston-Salem Symphony is sponsored by Season Presenting Sponsor Bell, Davis & Pitt, P.A.; Chris & Mike Morykwas; the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County; and the North Carolina Arts Council. 

For more information, please visit https://www.wssymphony.org/.