The Portland Symphony Orchestra’s “Magic of Christmas,” celebrating its 45th anniversary with special guests Cirque de la Symphonie, will open with a preview performance at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. The Magic of Christmas concerts also feature the Magic of Christmas Chorus and the PSO Children’s Chorus. PSO Music Director Eckart Preu will conduct. There are twelve performances of Magic of Christmas through Dec. 22.

Concert-goers are welcome to enjoy the organ prelude an hour before each performance, presented by Portland Municipal Organist James Kennerly.

For the first time, the PSO is partnering with Maine Public Broadcasting to share Magic of Christmas on Maine Public TV. The concert will be broadcast with additional interviews and content on at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24; at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25; and at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29. In addition, through an arrangement with Maine Health, the PSO’s Magic of Christmas will be available for patients at Maine Medical Center in Portland, free of charge, from Dec. 20-Jan. 10. The concerts will also be released on PSO TV on demand Dec. 20-Jan. 10.

PSO Executive Director Carolyn Nishon said, “In our 100th anniversary season, the Portland Symphony Orchestra is focused on sharing music with as many people as possible. We believe deeply that everyone should experience the joy and healing power of music, and we are grateful to Maine Health and Maine Public for helping us in this goal. It’s a privilege to spread cheer through the Magic of Christmas each year and we’re honored to know that Mainers across the state will be able to experience it in a new way this year.”

The Magic of Christmas program offers an engaging mix of holiday traditional pieces such as Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah, and Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” from The Nutcracker, featuring Cirque de la Symphonie. Audiences will also enjoy works by composer John Williams, including songs from Home Alone, and Elf. The PSO”s traditional performance of “Sleigh Ride” continues with the orchestra members joining in the fun.

Cirque de la Symphonie has performed with orchestras around the world in performances combining live orchestral music with acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen, choreographed to classical music. This is the fifth time the popular troupe has performed with the PSO. The acrobatics will be choreographed to the music for a stunning show, adding some magic and thrill to the holiday season.

Tickets to all PSO concerts are available through PortTIX, at 207-842-0800, porttix.com, and in person at the PortTIX box office, 400 Congress St., Portland, Monday – Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.