Jedi robes, Darth Vader helmets, clone trooper uniforms and lightsabers of different colors filled the halls of The Theatre at Solaire on September 7 and 8. Star Wars fans of all ages arrived in their preferred intergalactic fashion – some content with just a simple shirt while some going all the way with their mini Wookiee and Grogu plushies. For two nights, Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert was playing, and everyone who witnessed it got an experience of a lifetime. 

The concept of ‘film concerts’ is slowly but surely finding its niche in the Philippine concert scene. When this concert was announced, the demand was so astounding, it gave rise to three shows over the weekend. Watching an entire movie accompanied by a live orchestra could be an unusual idea at first, but wait until you experience it for yourself, and you’ll surely be singing your own praises..

Under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga, the force of the 81-piece Filharmonika Orchestra played the scores composed by the legendary John Williams as the movie ran. Just like the usual theater set-up, the movie was projected on the big screen at the center of the stage. Underneath it was the orchestra, waiting on cue to play on cue.

The Filharmonika Orchestra played seamlessly, so much that sometimes, it was easy to forget that an entire troop of people were actually there, performing live as each scene went on. It’s only when you look down and see the machinations rolling or when you hear that unmistakable drop of the beats that you’re wonderfully reminded of the fact. 

The concert made the experience of watching Star Wars: A New Hope so immersively intense, that it induced goosebumps and a few tears at times. When the booming trumpets and horns of the main theme came in during the opening crawl, the sense of excitement was just palpable. When the strings swelled as Luke Skywalker gazed longingly at the binary sunset over the Tatooine Desert, it ushered in a mixture of melancholy and hope. There was also the thrumming thrill of the Battle of Yavin wherein the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star. Although we mostly knew the penultimate outcome, the tension was amplified a hundredfold. Lastly, the Royal Award Ceremony at the Throne Room up to the credits roll was a blast of resounding triumph.

As a welcome bonus, Gerard Salonga and the Filharmonika Orchestra returned for an encore performance of the “Star Wars Main Theme”. As a perfect closing to the evening, the audience expressed their appreciation by giving them a standing ovation.

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert elevated the experience of watching a beloved classic, inspiring a newfound appreciation of its masterfully rendered soundtrack. We could all re-watch the same movie on our television screens, but the opportunity to see it with a live orchestra rarely comes by. After the concert, we’ll probably never hear the main theme the same ever again after this. Going by those perks alone, being there was worth the money and the time.

Hoping for more concerts like this one!

Special thanks to Film Concerts PH!

by Sandra Mae Laureano