Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Concert

Last night the Utah Symphony performed Nicholas Hooper's score for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince while showing the movie as part of its Films in Concert Series and it was so much fun!  It was such an immersive experience with lots of audience participation.  There was a house roll call (three cheers for Ravenclaw) before the show and then boisterous applause when every main character appeared on the screen (the loudest was, rather unexpectedly, for Professor McGonagall).  This particular movie is one of my favorites in the franchise because the tone is much darker and the stakes are higher for every character.  As Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) begin year six at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) convinces a former potions professor named Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) to return to the school.  He enlists Harry's help to get Slughorn to reveal a secret about Tom Riddle which could help them stop Voldemort's reign of terror. Meanwhile, Draco (Tom Felton) is also given a dangerous assignment which eventually brings tragedy to Hogwarts and suspicion upon Snape (Alan Rickman).  The ominous score reflects this darker tone, particularly in "Snape & the Unbreakable Vow," "Into the Pensieve," "Malfoy's Mission," "The Drink of Despair," and "Inferi in the Firestorm."  There are also some some really fun and exuberant themes, such as "Wizard Wheezes" and "Ron's Victory," which provide some comic relief.  I really loved the harp in "Harry & Hermione" because it is such a poignant moment in the movie since, even though the relationship woes are meant to be lighthearted, this is when the characters admit that they have feelings for Ginny and Ron, respectively.  I also loved the cello in "Dumbledore's Farewell" because it is so mournful as the students raise their wands in tribute (this scene always gives me goosebumps).  The music really provides so much of the tension and emotion in this movie so hearing it performed live added much to the experience of watching it.  If you have never attended one of these concerts, I highly recommend doing so!  Conductor Conner Covington teased that the final two movies in the franchise might be coming next season!  I can't wait until the 2022-2023 season announcement to see what the films will be!