The West Australian Symphony Orchestra will channel their inner nerd to bring the magic of Comic-Con to the stage.
'A Symphonic Tribute To Comic-Con', a premiere event in Australia, will celebrate 'Game Of Thrones', 'Star Wars', 'Dr. Who', 'Final Fantasy', 'Star Trek', 'Jurassic Park' and more.
Here, Perth-raised conductor for the event Christopher Dragon answers some questions on what to expect.
This show is a big tribute to Comic-Con. Where did the idea for this come from?
I first came across this concept from the Colorado Symphony where I am currently the Associate Conductor. So far I’ve conducted two 'Comic-Con' programmes in Colorado and am scheduled to conduct another next year. I've found that they are always a lot of fun and that the audience really gets into it, because they know and love the music! A lot of the audience in Colorado come dressed up in costumes so I highly encourage our Perth audiences to not be outdone by them. Plus I don't want to be the only person in costume!
What kind of music can audiences expect to hear at this one-off performance?
The great thing about Comic-Con is that it encompasses so many different genres from comic-books to video games and TV shows to movies. The music will reflect this diversity – it basically celebrates everything nerdy and geeky! We have music from video games like 'Zelda' and 'Final Fantasy', superhero music from 'X-Men', TV show themes like 'Game Of Thrones' and movie music including of course, 'Star Wars'.
You've had your fair share of experience as the Associate Conductor of the Colorado Symphony over in the US. What are you most excited for in regards to conducting in Western Australia?
Western Australia is my home, so it is always a joy coming back especially when it's to conduct my hometown orchestra. The West Australian Symphony Orchestra has been such an important part of my life, and so many of its musicians are like family to me, so it's always very special to be in front of them. Perth is so fortunate to have the West Australian Symphony Orchestra as its state professional orchestra.
Where did you get your love for music?
I was drawn to music from the age of six when I started learning piano and straight away I knew I wanted to have a career in music. First aspiring to be a concert pianist, then in high school an orchestral clarinettist and finally somehow ending up as a conductor. I never would have imagined that I would be now living in America working as a conductor.
Do you have any favourite music pieces from this setlist? Why is it/are they your favourite?
One of my favourite pieces on the programme is the suite from 'How To Train Your Dragon' by John Powell. Apart from the music being really fun I also find it hilarious that this has become a signature piece of mine due to having Dragon as a surname.
You've apparently got quite the reputation for on-stage antics and costumes. Anything you can hint at for this particular show?
I think that a lot of audiences perceive going to the symphony as a serious night out but my belief is that the symphony is fun, entertaining and for everyone. A show like this especially lends itself to antics and I am one of the few conductors out there with no shame! All I can say is that if they let T-Rex through border security we may have a special guest for our show…
What do you love about being a conductor?
There is a lot of work and study that goes into preparing a concert but being in a performance in front of the orchestra making music is one of the most fulfilling experiences. I love being able to share my passion for music with all kinds of different audiences through a wide variety of different concerts.
Further to that, what do you love about music in these mediums?
What I love about presenting film, television and video game music is that audiences that don't normally go to symphony concerts or listen to 'orchestral music' will instantly recognise most of the music and discover what a big part orchestral music plays in our modern lives. For those that haven't been to a symphony show before this is the perfect introduction to orchestral music.
