UK premiere of a cultural phenomenon: Star Trek - Live in Concert
3 June, 2013
21ST CENTURY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS, conducted by LUDWIG WICKI
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT: Following the recent debut of Star Trek into Darkness at No.1 in both the American and UK box office, where it has already made $260 million worldwide within 2 weeks of release, buzz for the franchise is at fever pitch. Now London’s Royal Albert Hall will be hosting the UK premiere of director J.J Abrams predecessor, 2009’s $385million blockbuster smash Star Trek, live in concert on 29 May 2014, celebrating the extraordinary collaboration between Michael Giacchino’s score and J.J Abrams’ visionary original motion picture.
With Star Trek fever at an all-time high with Abrams’ rebooted film franchise, this live concert will feature Michael Giacchino’s score brought to life on stage by the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, while the Academy Award winning film is shown simultaneously in high definition on the big screen, in the majestic surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall. This concert explores the collaborative relationship between music and storytelling and is a must for lovers of film and Trekkies alike.
Loved by audiences, the impact of Star Trek has been huge. The original series, which first aired in 1967, and is considered the most influential sci-fi series in TV history, has since spawned five successor series, twelve movies (this film being the 11th in the series), novels, comics, games, a plethora of merchandise, and a multi-billion dollar industry collectively known as the Star Trek franchise. This concert is further proof of the popularity and legacy of this cultural phenomenon, not just through the films and TV shows but also the music and score that have played a huge part in its success.
“To hear Michael Giacchino's music, the secret weapon of the Star Trek series, performed live in Royal Albert Hall, will be, I promise, a thrill” says J.J Abrams “The full orchestra scoring sessions for the films have been among my favourite life experiences. To give the public a chance to hear this incredible music performed live is a wonderful thing. I cannot wait to go and celebrate Michael's truly remarkable achievements!”
Michael Giacchino adds, “In 2003, before I wrote my first film score, I saw John Williams conduct ET live to picture at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. I will never forget that event. A little over ten years later, I will have the honour of experiencing my music for Star Trek performed by the incredible 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of the talented conductor, Ludwig Wicki. That in itself is exciting, but the fact that we will be in the Royal Albert Hall in London, is truly amazing. After working with J.J. for 13 years, it will be so rewarding to have his wonderful film brought to life in a whole new way. I look forward to sharing this event with J.J. and the Star Trek fans, new and old”
Jasper Hope, Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall, said: “As the success of these most recent films show, the popularity of the Star Trek franchise shows no sign of slowing down after 46 years and this concert is further proof of the cultural impact that the series has had. The visionary excellence of J.J Abrams’ 2009 film and the stirring score from Michael Giacchino is a winning combination and, as the destination of choice for a variety of film related projects involving live orchestra, the Royal Albert Hall is honoured to be presenting this UK premiere”
This event is part of the Royal Albert Hall’s series in celebrating classic films with live orchestra. 100,000 people have now enjoyed sold out performances at the Hall of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Matrix, the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, Disney’s Fantasia, Singin’ in the Rain and the upcoming world premiere of Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton on October 7th and UK premiere of Pixar in Concert on February 22nd 2014. The Hall looks to provide memorable visitor experiences for all and, as a charity, these own-promoted events form a part of its extensive public benefit remit.
Listings information:
Star Trek- Live in Concert
Thursday 29 May 2014 at 7.30pm- Star Trek (2009)
Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
Tickets £15 - £55 (booking fees apply)
Box Office 020 7589 8212
www.royalalberthall.com
Tickets on sale Friday May 31st at 9am from the Royal Albert Hall Box Office
For further information, please contact: Sean Carrigan, Media Partnerships and Press Executive, Royal Albert Hall:seanc@royalalberthall.com Tel: 020 7959 0531
NOTES TO EDITORS
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Its breathtaking auditorium hosts over 370 shows a year by the world’s greatest artists. The magical atmosphere combined with inspired artists creates legendary events.
Opened in 1871 as part of Prince Albert’s vision for a centre for the Arts and Sciences, the Hall is a registered charity which operates without public funding, remaining true to his founding ambitions within a modern context. Extending the brand with 200 events outside the auditorium, the Hall has broadened its appeal to younger, diverse audiences whilst still engaging its existing customers.
The Hall also offers the Elgar Room, a state-of-the-art small-scale performance space which hosts performances of classical music, jazz and world music, comedy, dance and hush, a series of gigs for just signed bands throughout the year. In the main auditorium, it offers the Albert Sessions, an initiative that encourages up and coming acts to play at the Hall by offering reduced rental fees to promoters and lower
ticket prices to encourage younger audiences to visit the Hall. It also works extensively with schools, young people, disadvantaged groups and partners such as Music For Youth through its Education programme, reaching over 100,000 participants each year as part of its extensive public benefit remit. It has also been appointed by the Arts Council as one of the country’s regional music education hubs.
For more information, please visit www.royalalberthall.com
Registered charity number: 254543
21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
The 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus from Lucerne (Switzerland), under the direction of maestro Ludwig Wicki, is known for innovative film music programs. Furthermore, over the past few years, the orchestra has performed films such as The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean and Gladiator as live world premieres.
Concert tours have brought this dynamic group to concert halls including the Palais de Congrès in Paris and the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Film music composers from all over the world have enjoyed working with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra, among them Howard Shore, Michael Giacchino, George Fenton and Patrick Doyle.
J.J Abrams
J.J. Abrams is the founder and President of Bad Robot Productions, which he runs with his producing partner Bryan Burk. Formed in 2001, Bad Robot is partnered with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Studios, and has produced films and television series such as “Cloverfield,” “Star Trek,” “Morning Glory,” “Super 8,” “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” ABC’s “Alias” and “Lost,” Fox’s “Fringe,” and CBS’s “Person of Interest.”
Born in New York and raised in Los Angeles, Abrams attended Sarah Lawrence College where he co-wrote a treatment that became the basis for Disney’s “Taking Care Of Business.” In years following, he wrote or co-wrote such films as “Regarding Henry,” “Forever Young,” “Armageddon,” and “Joy Ride.”
In 1998, Abrams co-created his first television series “Felicity” with collaborator and long-time friend Matt Reeves. Abrams served as Executive Producer for the series’ four-season run on The WB. Additionally, Abrams created and executive produced “Alias” for ABC, and co-created (with Damon Lindelof) and executive produced ABC’s “Lost.”
In 2006, Abrams directed his first feature film, “Mission: Impossible 3.” His second feature directorial effort “Star Trek” was released in May 2009. “Super 8,” written and directed by Abrams and produced by Abrams, Burk and Steven Spielberg, was released in June 2011. His most recent effort, “Star Trek Into Darkness,” will be released in May 2013. Abrams is currently working on the next instalment in the Star Wars saga.
In 2005, Abrams received Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series for the “Lost” pilot as well as Outstanding Drama Series for “Lost.” He also received Emmy nominations for his “Alias” and “Lost” pilot scripts. In addition, Abrams composed the theme music for “Alias,” “Fringe,” “Lost,” “Person of Interest,” and “Revolution,” and he co-wrote the theme song for “Felicity.”
Abrams presently serves as Executive Producer of CBS’s “Person of Interest,” Fox’s “Fringe,” and NBC’s “Revolution.”
Michael Giacchino
At the age of 10, Michael Giacchino began his filmmaking career in his backyard in Edgewater Park, New Jersey, eventually going on to study filmmaking at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. After college, he landed a marketing job at Disney and began studies in music composition first at Juilliard, and then at UCLA. From marketing, he became a producer in the fledgling Disney Interactive Division where he was able to hire himself to write the music for their video games. When his work was brought to the attention of Steven Spielberg, he said, “I did what anybody in their right mind would do, I signed him up to score Medal of Honor.”
It was Michael’s work in video game orchestration that grabbed the attention of J.J. Abrams, who contacted him via email about the possibility of writing the score for Alias. They met, he got the job, and a relationship was born that would include the groundbreaking series LOST, for which Michael earned an Emmy.
Michael's feature film composing breakthrough was with The Incredibles. After that, he went on to score box office hits such as The Family Stone, Mission: Impossible III, Ratatouille, Star Trek, Cars 2, Super 8 and John Carter. His 2009 score for the Pixar hit Up earned him an Oscar, a Golden Globe, the BAFTA, the Broadcast Film Critics' Choice Award and two Grammy Awards.
Michael’s latest film in cinemas is J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness. Upcoming projects include Andy and Lana Wachowski’s Jupiter Ascending, Tomorrowland with Brad Bird, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Matt Reeves.
Michael sits on the Advisory Board of Education Through Music Los Angeles.