Type: Performance
first airdate: 24 December 2000
broadcaster: Nine
Production
country:
AU
Duration: 20 mins (ONJ segment)

For the first time Olivia headlined Australian's Carols By Candlelight, an outdoor concert at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl, held every Christmas Eve. It's also broadcast live on Australian TV and radio and watching it has become a Christmas Eve tradition for most Australians.

Organized by the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB) it brings together a wealth of Australian talent to perform carols. The 2000 concert was considered one of the best with organizer Cos Cardone commenting: "Securing Olivia has been a long journey....but worth every minute. Her coming home to sing Carols for the first time is a great highlight" The concert also featured co-Olympic performers Tina Arena, Vanessa Amorosi and Julie Anthony.

Olivia opened the concert with Hark The Herald Angels Sing dressed in a lovely gold gown accompanied by a full orchestra. Thanking the audience she said how great it was to be back in her home town of Melbourne. She said hi to her mom watching at home and waved to other members of her family who were actually in the audience. Olivia then introduced the host and personal friend Ray Martin. Ray, commenting on how great Olivia looked, wanted to know what pills she was on. Olivia giggled "I don't think you need them."

Olivia returned later to sing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and then accompanied by Stuart Fraser on guitar, sang the favourite Silent Night. The choir joined in with her for the end chorus - lovely. The outdoor venue  meant the sound wasn't perfect but the atmosphere more than made for that.

The concert ended with Olivia leading all the performers singing So This Is Christmas, followed by a medley of Christmas carols.

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Songs Performed (live)

  1. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
  2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
  3. Silent Night
  4. So This Is Christmas (with all the performers)

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