For the second year, the broadcast of A Christmas Concert from Norway 2011 is a gift of music to be enjoyed by millions of viewers worldwide during the Christmas holiday season. This festive concert of glorious holiday and traditional classical music, from an historic church in the small town of Hamar, Norway, has become an international Christmas tradition. Violinists and siblings Mari and Hakon Samuelsen began the concert in 2004, featuring world renowned performers and friends, because they wished to bring something from their classical music concert experience back to their home region. Again this year, the program is co-hosted by Her Royal Highness Princess Martha Louise of Norway. Joining her this year is American film and theater actor John C. Reilly who has appeared in more than 50 motion pictures. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Chicago, and a Grammy Award for the song "Walk Hard" in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Mr. Reilly is also known for his roles in the feature films Aviator, Magnolia, A Prairie Home Companion and Gangs of New York. Among the special guest performers planned for this year's concert are Spanish soprano Sylvia Schwartz, trumpet soloist Tine Thing Helseth, the Trondheim Soloists, and, of course, Mari and Hakon Samuelsen.
