Listening to a masterfully performed, four-movement symphony in a theater filled with videogame enthusiasts is quite an unusual way to spend an evening. However, the premise of this musical adventure is odd within itself. “The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” is a the first concert of its kind, a full-scale orchestra performance celebrating Zelda’s 25th anniversary and showcasing the music that helps make the series unforgettable.
Friday night, the Orpheum Theatre filled with a menagerie of gaming buffs whose average ages ranged from 16 to 30 and dressed in Zelda cosplay, fanfare and business-like apparel. The first item witnessed upon setting foot in the auditorium was a large screen above the stage displaying the logo of “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” against a slate-colored, cracked stone background. As the performance began, this screen showed footage from each game the music highlighted.
The four-movement symphony began with thunderous applause as the conductor, Susie Seiter, cued the musically diverse orchestra and its wordless choir. When the crowd mellowed, the show began with a crescendo melodized overture featuring themes of “The Legend of Zelda,” “Ganon,” “Princess Zelda,” “Twilight Princess” and “Skyward Sword.”
Instantly recognizable gameplay footage flashed on the above screen and excellently harmonized with the music performed. As the scenes changed, so did the beautiful score. The combined auditory and visual stimulations brought about a powerful, cathartic experience and mesmerized the audience witnessing Link’s adventures. For a few people, it appeared to be their first taste of Zelda’s musical ensemble, but they too wore a smile during the entire two-hour show.
The stage’s lighting also changed depending on what the screen showed. When Ganon first appeared on screen during the kidnapping cut scene of “Ocarina of Time,” a dark blue hue fell over the stage. Contrarily, while Link explored Twilight Princess’s Hyrule, the stage became bathed in an earthly green light. These simple ambient decisions were a nice touch that pleasantly added to the atmosphere.
From the overture, the performance moved into featuring classic dungeons from “A Link to the Past,” “Link’s Awakening,” “Zelda II: The Adventure of Link” and “The Legend of Zelda.” The crowd then visited Kakariko Village and its hypnotically catchy tunes. After reminding the audience of countless hours trying to plot their way through expansive dungeons and the numerous characters from Link’s hometown, the concert transitioned into a prelude featuring the introduction of Hyrule’s creators, Zelda’s three goddesses first seen in “Ocarina of Time:” Din, Nayru and Farore.
Afterwards, the symphony’s four movements began. They showcased “Ocarina of Time,” “Wind Waker,” “Twilight Princess” and “A Link to the Past.” Hearing the invigorated orchestra gorgeously produced an array of nostalgic music from each game combined with numerous in-game cinematics felt like reliving the adventures for the first time.
The entire experience seemed more akin to a Comic-Con convention showcase than a traditional symphony. Gameplay footage of infuriated Cuccos trying to kill Link for his abuse caused widespread laughter, and cheers during certain scenes were commonplace. The audience clapped at every piece’s completion and praised the orchestra for a three-song encore. The performance’s designer, Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc., anticipated the rambunctiousness and included ample downtime between movements and songs.
The lack of an overarching theme proved to be the concert’s biggest drawback. Instead of having an inclusive story, the show visited different well-known stages of Link’s adventures, but given a narrative movement through gameplay scenes, the symphony could have transformed into a spectacular movie-like scenario. Although the orchestra was remarkable and the displayed footage was fun to watch, after walking out of the concert hall the epic feeling bestowed by the songs quickly faded.
Friday’s performance ended with booming applause and a well-earned outstanding ovation. After the three encore songs “Ballad of the Wind Fish,” “Gerudo Valley” and “Suite from Majora’s Mask,” the audience’s approval became deafening and claps lasted for well over two minutes.
Largely, the symphony is an enticing adventure all Zelda fans should embark on during its tour, which will be running until Sept. 22. The performed music accurately and elegantly captures the melodies fans have come to love, all while expanding on themes when appropriate. The symphony is assuredly a worthy inclusion into Zelda’s rich history.
Reach the reporter at tdmcknig@asu.edu
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