Thursday, July 25, 2024
By Forbes Dudley
As a part of Wolf Trap’s movies in concert series, The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) showcased the iconic soundtrack to Star Wars: A New Hope on Saturday July 13 at the Filene Center. The orchestra was placed below the big screen that projected the movie, creating a viewing experience for attendees like no other.
The doors opened at 6:30 p.m. and fans rushed to get front row seats on the lawn where they enjoyed some food and beverages before the start of the movie at 8:00 p.m. Despite this summer’s relentless heat, both the amphitheater and the lawn filled up quickly with an eager audience. Star Wars fans of all ages attended in celebration of the longstanding beloved franchise that began with A New Hope’s release in 1977.
The opening title sequence powerfully set the stage for the rest of the production. The movie was composed by the iconic John Williams (“Jaws, “Jurassic Park”). “Imperial Attack” and “Princess Leia’s Theme” playing in real time was incredibly impactful for fans who may not have heard the music live before.
Unlike watching a movie in the comfort of your own home, or even in a movie theater, Wolf Trap offers a venue that stands entirely on its own. The Filene Center was designed to be in unity with the nature of its surroundings. It is a space that hosts more than 80 performances every summer. Wolf Trap is a venue that opens up a space for community with a shared appreciation for the arts.
Throughout the performance, the audience was collectively expressive of their favorite moments. People laughed together at the comical relationship between the two droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO. The crowd cheered simultaneously when their favorite characters made their first on screen appearance. The orchestra was able to elevate emotions of important scenes and re-create the beautiful Oscar-winning score.
This Friday night (July 26), Wolf Trap is hosting “Ghostbusters” in concert, also performed by the National Symphony Orchestra. This will be the last movie in concert of the summer season. Tickets on Wolf Trap’s website are still available for purchase starting at $38. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 8:00 p.m.
Photos: All photos courtesy of Wolf Trap and photographed by Traci Medlock