Sad Mag’s favourite gaming correspondent, Lawrence Mathes, reflects on atmosphere and audience at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s debut of The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. From the masterful work of the musicians, to the penchant for audience members to appear dressed as characters, Lawrence finds himself at the heart of a juxtaposition between classical aesthetics and pop-culture fandom.
The night has come and gone, but it certainly has not been forgotten. I arrived early to pick up my tickets and to meet with friends and, just being in the Orpheum Theatre, with its vaulted ceilings and ornate columns, I was reminded how important venue is. I’d like thank the entire staff at the Orpheum for all they do, because years as a stage manager has taught me to appreciate all the people who help to put on a performance, especially those who don’t appear on stage.
The show started off with much hubbub (and many, MANY people playing the new Pokemon games on their 3DSs). We were greeted by the producer and the immensely talented conductor, Susie Benchasil Seiter. Wielding her pink baton, which I prefer to think of it as a tiny, breast cancer fighting Master Sword, Seiter led the VSO through a night of sweeping ballads and scintillating medleys.
The performance began with a medley and a quick visual history of the Zelda series from classic Nintendo Entertainment System to modern Wii. I don’t mind admitting that I got a little shiver down my spine watching my childhood play out on the screen in front of me. Over the next hour we were treated to half a dozen wonderful pieces that including the excellent the often-overrated Ballad of the Wind Fish from Link’s Awakening, one of the lesser known Zeldas.
After the first half, I found myself anxious for the second half of the performance to start, for the first time in as long as I can remember. The second half of the symphony included one of my absolute favorites, the magnificently played Gerudo’s Valley, and I did indeed have my happy mask on when the main theme from Majora’s Mask started. The performance finished with a not one, not two but three encores, ending one a high note, no pun intended, with the theme from Skyward Sword.
The entire performance was excellent and the only thing that matched the musician’s skill was the enthusiasm of the audience. I’ve never seen a single audience member dress up for a Mozart concert but the VSO had a half dozen Links of both genders as well as a Sheik!
I’d see it again in a heartbeat and can only hope that next year we’ll have a Symphony of the Goddess Third Quest.