HoLLYWOOD, CA- During the summer the Hollywood Bowl awakens to be filled with spectators of all ages to revel in their music performance, from classical to contemporary, from theater geek to sci-fi geek, everyone can find a performance to suit their taste.
On one magical night, unlike any other night, wizards, witches and even a few muggles came to the Hollywood Bowl for a special viewing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert. This was no ordinary showing of the movie, originally released in 2005. Along with the movie playing on the big screens, the LA Philharmonic would perform the magical score composed by Patrick Doyle.
As the spectators began to arrive to their seats you could definitely notice that Potter fans take pride in their fandom. Some showed their Hogwarts House pride, whether casual in t-shirts or more dressed up, in authentic school robes, or in my case a 50s Ravenclaw student. Other fans decide to forego House Pride and dress up as their favorite characters. Had to love the ladies who dressed up as Rita Skeeter, Madame Rolanda Hooch, and Tonks. Every house from Brave Gryffindor to Wise Ravenclaw, and Ambitious Slytherin and Loyal Hufflepuff where eager with anticipation for the evening performance.
The crowd roared with applause as Justin Freer, conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, walked onto the stage. He encouraged the crowd to cheer for their favorite characters and boo when their least favorite appeared on the big screen. It was wonderful to see the crowd so eager to participate and on that note the dark opening introduction of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire slithered onto the big screen.
The Goblet of Fire takes place during Harry Potter’s fourth year at Hogwarts. Unlike the previous Harry Potter movies, the Goblet of Fire begins with a very morbid opening scene of murder that ultimately foreshadows the return of he who shall not be named, the dark lord himself, Lord Voldemort. The LA Philharmonic brought every pivotal scene to life, from the intensity of the World Cup Quidditch match to the grace and beauty of the Yule Ball. The drums roared for the visiting Wizard school Durmstrang Institute and the violins fluttered for Beauxbaton Academy of Magic. Everything seems thrilling during the challenges Harry and his competitors face with drums pounding, strings being strum and trumpets triumphantly blaring. Yet evil is slithering around the corner waiting for a moment to strike and it does so with a furry. Lord Voldemort’s devastating return to the Wizarding Community marks a tragic loss of innocence that would never return.
The LA Philharmonic performed the score accompaniment beautifully. They captured the joy Harry and his friends had in becoming a teenager and moving forward in the next phase of their life: dances, crushes, and competitions. Yet with all that joy there is sadness and sorrow that comes along with growing up. Patrick Doyle’s score embodies what struggles all of us face, whether teenager or adult: the fights among friends, the heart ache of rejection, and the tragic loss of a loved one. These themes are what makes the Goblet of Fire resonate with so many people and is truly one of the best Harry Potter movies, especially with a live orchestra.
It was one of the most memorable movie watching experiences ever and would highly recommend viewing Harry Potter Films in Concert. To find more info when the next Harry Potter Movie is in concert in your area please go to harry potter in concert For more up coming events check out Hollywood Bowl or LA Philharmonic .
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