Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY – celebrating 25 Years of FINAL FANTASY X!
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and AWR Music Productions present the internationally acclaimed concert experience Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY at Hamer Hall from 23 – 25 July.This immersive multimedia event unites the power of live symphonic performance with stunning high-definition visuals from the legendary FINAL FANTASY series, creating an unforgettable night for gamers and music lovers alike.
Conducted by Grammy Award–winning maestro Arnie Roth, more than 100 musicians and choristers take to the stage in a celebration marking the 25th anniversary of FINAL FANTASY X.
Audiences will experience iconic music by Nobuo Uematsu including Hymn of the Fayth/The Sending, Zanarkand and Suteki da ne performed by original vocalist RIKKI, in her Australian debut. The concerts will also feature the world premiere concert performance of Thunder Plains from FINAL FANTASY X composed by Masashi Hamauzu, who will be in attendance for these historic performances.
Spanning the rich musical worlds of the FINAL FANTASY franchise, the concert includes music from FINAL FANTASY VII, FINAL FANTASY VIII and FINAL FANTASY IX, alongside fan favourites from FINAL FANTASY XIV and FINAL FANTASY XVI.
Arnie Roth is a GRAMMY Award-winning conductor and producer, and founder of AWR Music. Over several decades he has collaborated with leading international artists including Andrea Bocelli, Diana Ross, Pat Benatar, Josh Groban and Il Divo. Roth is internationally recognised as Music Director, Producer and Conductor of Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY, created in collaboration with Square Enix. The concert series has toured extensively worldwide, appearing at major venues including the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall, and has generated multiple live recordings and releases.
Arnie Roth
RIKKI
Born on Amami Island, RIKKI was immersed in the region’s rich musical traditions from an early age. That heritage shaped her vocal style, often described as carrying the sound of an older Japan. She gained international recognition for performing Suteki da Na, the theme song for the extraordinarily successful video game FINAL FANTASY X, now one of the franchise’s most beloved songs. Closely associated with the game’s enduring legacy, she has reprised the work in major orchestral celebrations of the FINAL FANTASY series worldwide. She was featured on the image album to the film Spirited Away, singing Shiroi Ryu, written by Joe Hisaishi and is a member of Japanese ‘fantasy’ music collective Sound Horizon, who release music as ‘suites’ to accompany anime and game software.
The music of composer Masashi Hamauzu blends impressionist influences with a distinctive contemporary voice. He rose to international prominence through his long association with Square Enix, contributing to major titles in the FINAL FANTASY franchise, including FINAL FANTASY X and FINAL FANTASY XIII. His introduction of choral writing, modern harmonies and expansive orchestration helped redefine the sound world of game music for a global audience. Beyond his screen work, Hamauzu composes symphonic, chamber and piano music performed widely around the world. He co-founded the duo IMERUAT, exploring connections between his impressionistic style and traditional Ainu musical elements.
Masashi Hamauzu
Square Enix Co., Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses Square Enix®, Eidos® and Taito® branded entertainment content around the world. The Square Enix group of companies includes a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including Final Fantasy, which has sold over 164 million units worldwide; Dragon Quest, which has sold over 83 million units worldwide; Tomb Raider, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide; and the legendary Space Invaders. Square Enix Co., Ltd. is a Japan-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit jp.square-enix.com.
Event details:Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASYCelebrating 25 Years of FINAL FANTASY X!Date: Thursday 23 & Friday 24 July, 7.30pm Saturday 25 July, 1.00pm & 7.30pmVenue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre MelbourneTickets: On sale 10am Wednesday 25 FebruaryVisit: mso.com.au
About the Author
Alex Novus While not travelling, reading, gaming, watching films AND writing reviews and articles, Alex loves exploring the shops of Melbourne searching for classic pop culture trinkets.
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