o What: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, in concert.
o When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15.
o Where: Rose Garden arena, 1 Center Court, Portland.
o Cost: $25-$59 through the Rose Quarter, 877-789-7673 or http://rosequarter.com.
o Information: 503-284-8686 or http://rosequarter.com.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra of today is a one-of-a-kind entity on the music scene. The combination progressive rock band and orchestra routinely sells more than a million copies of each of its CDs — despite existing in a time when downloading has made that milestone reachable for only the biggest of music acts.
The group is a touring powerhouse, selling more than a million tickets for its annual holiday tour, which plays roughly 120 shows from the beginning of November until the end of December. It’s the only act doing a holiday tour that plays arenas — sometimes playing two shows each day.
What also makes Trans-Siberian Orchestra stand out is that no other music act does things on as big a scale. Its albums, which are conceived and for the most part written by TSO founder Paul O’Neill, commonly feature contributions from more than 100 singers and musicians. The group’s touring ensemble numbers more than two dozen singers and musicians plus an orchestra, all performing amid a visually elaborate set, with lasers, pyrotechnics, smoke and all manner of special effects lighting up the venues.
“My favorite (description) is from a magazine in Britain, which said ‘Enough pyro to barbecue an entire school of blue whales,’” O’Neill said.