Jaws in Concert

Three notes. That’s all you need to say a word. And that word is “shark!”

Steven Spielberg’s shark movie is fifty years old this year. Ah, I thought, a movie from before my time. Then I remembered. Damn.

In celebration of Jaws’ anniversary, The Metropolitan Orchestra performed the John Williams’ iconic score live to the movie at the Sydney Opera House. Despite flying in from Singapore only this morning, I had to attend.

You may remember The Metropolitan Orchestra from Batman, a few days before we set out on the holiday. I am certainly getting in early with the concerts this year!

The orchestra is ably conducted, as always, by Sarah-Grace Williams.

In addition to his three note shark theme ostinato, Williams’ score contains a number of other recurring melodies. There is the twinkling harp representing water, playful pastoral tunes for summer activities on the beach and sea shanties for shark hunter Quint.

The music is performed accurately by the orchestra and is allowed to shine, even at the expense of audible dialogue during the loud dramatic moments.

The acoustics in the Opera House sound far superior to the ICC Theatre of the previous concert. The audience fill the seats and cheer and clap at the music and drama.

Despite an hour and a half’s sleep, I am easily kept awake during the performance. There’s nothing flakey about The Metropolitan Orchestra!

#Jaws #orchestra #StevenSpielberg #SydneyOperaHouse #TheMetropolitanOrchestra