MPO To Stage 'Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert' In May

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) will present Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert, featuring a full screening of the iconic film accompanied by the live performance of John Williams’ award-winning original score.

In a statement today, MPO said that the concert will be led by conductor Gerard Salonga and staged at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), on Sunday, May 3 at 3 pm and Monday, May 4 at 8 pm.

Tickets are priced at RM399, RM449, RM499 and RM549, and are available at mpo.com.my or via 03-23317007, it said.

The MPO said since its release more than 45 years ago, the first Star Wars film has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences worldwide with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.

“Fans will experience the scope and grandeur of this beloved film in a live symphonic concert experience,” it said.

The MPO added that the legendary composer is well known for scoring all nine films in the Star Wars saga, beginning with 1977’s Star Wars, for which he earned an Academy Award for Best Original Score.

“His scores for subsequent Star Wars films -- The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker -- were each Oscar-nominated for Best Original Score,” it said.

The MPO said the film follows Luke Skywalker as he embarks on a transformative journey after encountering Obi-Wan Kenobi on the desert planet Tatooine, before joining the Rebel Alliance on a daring mission to rescue Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader and the oppressive Galactic Empire.

--BERNAMA