02 - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
03 - Sarah's Song
04 - Mitt hjerte alltid vanker
05 - Amore Perduto (José Carreras)
06 - Quando Sento che Mi Ami (with José Carreras)
07 - In the Bleak Midwinter
08 - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
09 - Ave Maris Stella
10 - Ready to Go Home
11 - Going Home
Recorded: 2007-03-15 - 2007-03-16, Røros church, Røros, Norway
This program was filmed from two live performances that took place in the landmark Roros church in Roros, Norway. At various points in the program, we see scenes of the town, the mountains surrounding it, the historic church and the local townspeople. At times, there are shots of Sissel outside in the snow. This is the third Sissel concert to air on public television. The first was Sissel in Concert: All Good Things (March, 2003); Sissel: In Paradise followed in March, 2005. Additionally, Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Sissel, will air on December 19, 2007.
Sissel Kyrkjebo (pronounced SHEAR-shuh-buh) or (SHU-sha-ba) was born June 24, 1969 in Bergen, Norway. At the age of 10 she had begun singing in several talent competitions. When she was only 14 she performed in a childrens television program, and appearances on other television programs followed. A video of Sissel was broadcast to viewers all over Europe, bringing her greater popularity and recognition.
In 1984, at the age of 15, she released her first album, self-titled Sissel. It became the highest-selling album in Norway ever. In 1987, she released a Christmas album. By 1988, Sissel was performing in Oslo, playing the leading role as Maria von Trapp in the Norwegian version of The Sound of Music. She later toured in Norway with the musical, and sang as Ariel in the Norwegian, Swedish and Danish versions of Disneys The Little Mermaid. She released another album, Soria Moria.
In 1992, she collaborated with Neil Sedaka and they toured throughout Norway. That year, she appeared at the Olympic Games in Albertville. Soon after, Sissel married Danish entertainer Eddie Skoller. (Sissel was so popular by then that the wedding received a lot of attention from the Norwegian and Danish press.) In 1994 Sissel sang the official Olympic song Fire In Your Heart in Lillehammer. That same year, Placido Domingo invited her to perform at the annual Christmas concert in Vienna with Charles Aznavour and himself. The televised concert was broadcast all throughout Europe. In 1995, she sang for Prince Charles
in A Royal Gala.
In 1997, Sissel was a featured soloist for the U.S. recording of the musical score for Titanic. By the end of 1998, Titanic has premiered throughout the world. Composer James Horner wanted Sissel to sing the title song 'My heart will go on' but was over ruled. In the U.S., where Sissel was almost unknown before the movie, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly and other influential newspapers had taken notice of Sissel, suddenly bringing interviews and articles about the Norwegian songbird.
By 2000, Sissel was the mother of two young girls, but her career continued to advance. She recorded All Good Things, represented Norway at the Nobel Peace Prize concert, and sang on a new album for the Danish rock band, Sort Sol. By 2002, Sissel recorded two duets with tenor Placido Domingo, and she performed to sold-out concerts in Denmark. Sissel performed with both Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras on television. She sang at the royal wedding of Norways Princess Martha Louise and Ari Behn, which was broadcast live on television. During the fall of 2002, she released Sissel in the U.S., her solo debut in the U.S. In 2004, Sissel toured with The Lord of the Rings Symphony tour. That year, she released her second album, My Heart, in the U.S. and did a limited tour of fourteen U.S. cities.
Sissel has sold some five million copies of her solo albums, which have been certified gold and platinum in Norway, Denmark and Sweden. In February 2007 Sissel received the Norwegian Grammy Award of Great Honor (the youngest Norwegian performer ever to receive the award).
Roros, Norway
The 17th century village of Roros is located in northern Norway has garnered the title of an UNESCO World Heritage site. Beginning in the mid-17th century, the town was home to a large copper mine that grew at a rapid pace. Mining experts from Denmark and Germany poured into the town. Throughout the mines 333 years of history (it closed in 1986), Roros Copperworks played a major economic role in the Danish/Norwegian kingdom. This town, known for its craftsmen, courtyards and workshops, boasts a rare collection of large and well-preserved wooden buildings still in use today.
Roros Church
This white stone church, built in 1784, is the fourth largest in Norway, seating 1,600 people. Its been designated by the Directorate of Cultural Heritage as among the ten most important churches in the country.
