Trans-Siberian Orchestra thrills the Fiserv Forum from “Christmas Eve” to “Beethoven’s Last Night”

Photos provided by Jason McEachern

There’s never been an instance when Trans-Siberian Orchestra cut corners or favored economy over entertainment, and in the case of “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve: The Best Of TSO And More” Tour, it could easily be considered three separate shows in one.

Not only did an evening that filled up much of Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum last almost as many hours, it was comprised of the symphonic rockers’ now classic TV special turned album, a 25th birthday celebration of “Beethoven’s Last Night” and a whole host of bonus selections.

The “Ghosts” segment was the first to descend upon the arena, which has certainly seen it before given the fact it’s now a rotating tradition, yet never quite like this thanks to an even more enormous production, featuring a multitude of flames, hydraulic lifts, stadium-level light show, three gigantic screens and at least a dozen drones hovering over a secondary stage.

In spite of the spectacle, Trans-Siberian Orchestra always puts the primary emphasis on the performance itself and the current installment was no exception, warming up with “Night Enchanted,” “Winter Palace” and “The Lost Christmas Eve.”

Shortly thereafter, the fully narrated main event starred “O Come All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night,” “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Dreams” and “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24),” the latter from a few of the founding members’ origins in Savatage.

One such present member was guitarist Al Pitrelli (also of Asia, Alice Cooper and Megadeth fame), who made a poignant point a little later to salute late producer/composer/lyricist Paul O’Neill surrounding an acoustic mash-up of Savatage’s “Sleep” and Black Sabbath’s “Changes.”

In fact, his fingerprints were evident during TSO’s highly stylized renditions of “Christmas Canon Rock” and “What Child Is This?,” plus the one-of-a-kind originals “Music Box Blues,” “First Snow,” “Promises To Keep” and “This Christmas Day.”

Other adrenalized sounds of the season included “Wizards In Winter,” “A Mad Russian’s Christmas” and “An Angel’s Share,” while the troupe’s more classical-oriented side came right around the corner via electrifying anniversary editions of “Requiem (The Fifth),” “The Dreams Of Candlelight,” “Beethoven,” “This Is Who You Are” and “A Last Illusion.”

It would’ve certainly been plenty by a lesser band, but Trans-Siberian Orchestra ensured the Fiserv reaped the most bang for its buck, both in terms of tunes and theatrics as “Find Our Way Home” through a reprise of “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” brought it all to a crescendo of a conclusion.

For additional information on Trans-Siberian Orchestra, visit Trans-Siberian.com.

Upcoming shows at the Fiserv Forum include Rascal Flatts (Jan. 22); Monster Jam (Jan. 31-Feb. 1); Disney On Ice: “Frozen” & “Encanto” (Feb. 12-16); Nine Inch Nails (Feb. 23); Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick (Feb. 28); Hogfest featuring Three Days Grace (Mar. 5); Journey (Mar. 19); New Edition (Mar. 21); Romeo Santos and Prince Royce (Apr. 1); B2K and Bow Wow (Apr. 2); We Them Ones Comedy (Apr. 17); Forrest Frank (Jun. 5); Dude Perfect (Jul. 24); “Weird Al” Yankovic (Oct. 17) and Matt Rife (Nov. 7). For additional details, visit FiservForum.com.

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra thrills the Fiserv Forum from “Christmas Eve” to “Beethoven’s Last Night”

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