TV One's Christmas Cracker

This 2004 Christmas Day special offered the perfect post-dinner soundtrack featuring traditional Christmas hymns and classic carols. Wellington's Orpheus Choir and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra provide the musical backdrop, while presenter Simon Dallow introduces a range of vocal talent, including platinum-selling opera star Yulia Townsend, tenor Shaun Dixon, and mezzo-soprano April-Marie Neho. Russian-born Townsend performs an ethereal rendition of 'Bailero', and Dixon delivers a solemn 'O Holy Night'. There's dance too, with veteran performer Sir Jon Trimmer starring in an excerpt from ballet Coppélia.

I have had the great privilege to be able to ring him up whenever I please and have a nice chat, it's quite an exciting time. Whenever I need some inspiration, I just give him a call, and he goes, "Hey Chicho! How are you doing?" It's one of his pet names for me.

– Opera singer Shaun Dixon on his friendship with legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti

Key Cast & Crew

John Rutter

Musical Arrangements

Carl Doy

Musical Arrangements

Simon Dallow

Presenter

Russ Garcia

Musical Arrangements

Robert Hagen

Director, Producer

Barbara Gascoigne

Vision Mixer