More than 80,000 free tickets were distributed in just a few hours making this event the hottest cultural arts ticket of the year.

European singing sensation Sissel Kyrkjeb¿ - best known for her ethereal vocals on James Horner's "Titanic" soundtrack - is this year's special guest.

Sissel's pristine sound, buoyant phrasing and tasteful ornamentation allowed her to move confidently between classical, folk and popular musical styles. Haunting vocal purity, reminiscent of her "Titanic" work, was particularly evident during Gustav Holst's "In the Bleak Mid-Winter."

The Norwegian singer's understated but captivating singing seemed to complement the choir's distinctive sound especially well.

Their collaboration on the ancient carol, "In dulci jubilo," created one of the concert's many spine-tingling moments.

Inspired programming by choir directors, Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg, evenly paced listeners through the concert's emotional twists and turns. The seamlessly sung "Away in a Manger" and Sissel's tender interpretation of Max Reger's "Mari` Wiegenlied" was followed by a rhythmic and visually kinetic Nigerian carol, "Betelehemu" - an audience favorite.

Brief moments when choir and orchestra were not in sync during "Sunny Bank" and "Spirit of the Season" from "The Polar Express" and a couple of microphone problems did little to mar an otherwise brilliant performance.

Choir member Shane Warby was featured during "Wexford Carol," one of Wilberg's eight arrangements on the program. The baritone's secure voice was backed by Daron Bradford's lilting Irish Flute accompaniment.

Tabernacle organist Richard Elliott performed Raymond Haan's "Carol of the Birds," displaying the instrument's shimmering wind chime stop and burnished tone.

Conference Center set designers created their usual magic, turning the stage into an alpine Scandinavian village complete with stained-glass church windows, snow covered rooftops, brightly lit trees, glowing candles and blankets of poinsettias.

Choreographer Carol Iwasaki's beautifully costumed dancers and the Bells on Temple Square, conducted by Thomas Waldron, added to the pageantry.

The performance's final emotional assent began with Eric Whitacre's penetrating "Lux aurumque" segueing to a tenderly sung "Silent Night." After a reading of the nativity story by Sissel, the concert ended, as always, with Wilberg's classic arrangement, "Angels from the Realms of Glory" - a ringing climax capping a spectacular performance.

Tabernacle Choir, Sissel

* BOTTOM LINE: Scandinavian recording artist Sissel, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square celebrated Christmas this weekend with a visually and sonically dazzling performance in the LDS Conference Center.

* WHEN: Concerts were Friday and Saturday night with a Thursday dress-rehearsal. There is one more performance following today's "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast at 9:30 a.m. No free tickets are available, but a stand-by line will form at 8:30 a.m.

* DURATION: 1 hour 50 minutes - no intermission