A spellbinding performance of a once in lifetime concert – an experience like no other
For its special 25th anniversary, Gladiator returned to the big screen, though not in your local cinema. Presented in association with CineConcerts, this five-time Academy Award-winning film came to the Royal Albert Hall for a screening with live orchestra, performed by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Philharmonia Chorus.
Possibly one of the most well-respected movies of all time, Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, and composed by Hanz Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, has perhaps one of the most applauded film scores of all time – it did win Best Original Score at the 2000 Golden Globes. A hauntingly beautiful and epic score, filled with an array of unique and worldly instruments, it has some of the most recognizable musical themes in cinematic history.
As I sat back and watched Gladiator come to life, on a screen practically the size of a football pitch, my attention was instantly taken by the conductor, Timothy Henty, whose mastery with his baton is parallel to none. Almost immediately your ears are filled with the mesmerizing voice of vocal soloist Clara Sanabaras, whose rich mezzo-soprano voice started to sing the film’s widely recognized track, “Now We Are Free.” This song can only be described as other-worldly, with its emotional and angelic inflections immediately bringing you into the heart of the film.
As a frequenter of CineConcerts, witnessing both The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King in concert with the Philharmonic Orchestra, it never ceases to amaze me how in sync the musicians and vocalists are with the film, never missing a beat during the whole two and a half hour screen-time. At some points, you forget that you are even listening to a live concert – your brain reverts back to thinking the music is simply a recording.
However, as you witness the Philharmonia Chorus standing up and down at points to sing the glorious and riveting score, see the percussion section move back and forth in between the dozens (yes, dozens!) of different instruments, ranging from the tambor-tom-beck, tombo (a much richer bass drum), and classic drum-kit, as well as witness the first cellist play the all-too well-known and one of my all time favourite cello themes, you do realize that this is much more than simply a movie with some live music – it is a production of epic proportions. Combine that with the glorious interior of the Royal Albert Hall, a room one can never be in too many times, it is truly a spectacle to behold.
If you are a fan of film scores, movies, or simply enjoy world-class musicianship, Gladiator in concert is a performance that people of all ages and interests can appreciate. I will eagerly be back again at the first opportunity – I cannot wait to see which movie they will perform next!