DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture was swept into a winter wonderland this week as Disney’s “Frozen” came to life in a dazzling film-in-concert experience.
The two-day live event at Ithra, which concluded with two performances on July 9, featured a full orchestra performing the film’s score live on stage while the original movie plays on a screen with dialogue and vocals intact.
The music was played live on stage, resulting in an immersive, multi-sensory experience for audiences of all ages.
A sea of tulle could be seen as young girls in Queen Elsa-inspired ice-blue gowns filled the theater, with long lines forming at a nearby “Frozen”-themed space offering optional printed keepsakes for those who patiently waited.
Arab News spoke with audience member Norah Al-Otaibi and her 5-year-old daughter, Mai, during the 20-minute intermission.
“It’s my third time watching it — the first two times was at home. This is nice but I like watching it at home more because you can turn it on or off whenever you want,” said Mai.
“Here, you have to wait until the song you want comes on. But I like the music and singing part here more, it’s better than the regular screening.”
Mai, who turns 6 soon, attended the concert screening as an early birthday present.
Al-Otaibi, a fan of the film herself, added: “Ithra gave it a nice vibe. It’s definitely not just a regular viewing experience, they elevated it.”
Returning to the podium was Erik Ochsner, considered one of the leading conductors in the film-with-live-orchestra format. He led “The Lion King” in concert at Ithra a few days prior and shared his enthusiasm ahead of the performance.
“Perhaps we’re going to build a snowman together and you must be ready to let it go,” Ochsner told the crowd, hinting at the ever-popular songs “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”
“I’m thrilled to be able to share the stage tonight with the wonderful musicians from the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra … you are so fortunate to have such a beautiful center here, Ithra,” he added.
Ochsner conducted the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra under artistic director and principal conductor Sergey Smbatyan.
At Ithra’s “Frozen” concert, the audience sang along to the catchy, now classic songs, from the film.
Released in 2013, “Frozen” was inspired by the 1844 original novel-styled fairytale narrative “The Snow Queen,” written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Arendelle, while a fictional Kingdom, is inspired by the real Norwegian town of Arendal.
It tells a heartwarming story of a newly-crowned young Nordic queen, Elsa, with secret ice-making powers who accidentally freezes everything in her path as her fearless sister, Anna, sets out to save her — and the whole kingdom.
