The show opened with “Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec,” a proper introduction if ever there was one. The Macalester College Concert Choir put the song through its paces and the Distant Worlds Philharmonic slashed their way through churning strings and rumbling percussion. From there, we were taken to “Zanarkand,” treated to a medley of songs from the first three games and some excellent special guest soloists throughout the night, with vocal pieces by Leanne Araya, piano by Gregory Thyson and some classical guitar work from Tristian Anderson.

Through all of the great musical performances, a large screen set above the center of the stage playing clips from whatever game the music was from, lending even more emotion to the atmosphere. In fact I often found myself forgetting that was actually listening to live music, instead reliving the memory of the games. Whether or not you feel this is a good thing is probably best left up to personal preference. Personally I felt like I came to watch the orchestra perform and not, in essence, to watch a movie. That's not to say I had any dissatisfaction as a result, only slightly misplaced expectations. Besides, the jazz version of the Chocobo theme, accompanied by a very amusing montage of dancing Chocobos from every game, would have lost quite a bit of its punch if not for the video.

One other niggling detraction was the fact the the entire orchestra, including the choir, was amplified, something I don't think I've ever experienced in an orchestra performance previously. This fact was even more confusing since I had spoken with Roth about how the music, when performed live, did in fact come alive through dynamic changes, along with how video game music is all harshly compressed to fit into a home stereo system. Distant Worlds would be breaking down those barriers. Yet here was the orchestra, themselves mixed down and outputted through a PA system. In fact the choir sounded very strange and metallic, reedy and sometimes weak due to several frequencies canceling each other out. That isn't to say they sounded bad at all, not by a long shot, but they did sound unnatural indeed.

These small detractors aside, the performance was flawless. We were wondering if Mr. Roth was reveling in the format a little too much due to his being able to enjoy thunderous applause after every song, take a bow and address the crowd, introducing each song. Certainly a far cry from the only occasional audience participation of a “regular” night at the orchestra, the vibe was very participatory and lighthearted. During the opera of “Draco and Maria,” singers Laura Nichols, Nathan Petersen-Kindem and Jeffrey Hess all hammed it up, though subtly, making sly faces and acting out small parts, getting the audience laughing. Yet in the end, the bittersweet finale was no less grand.

Speaking of audience participation, near the end of the show, the audience was polled as to what new song they wanted to see added to the tour in the future. Five songs were presented and the audience was tasked with clapping for their favorites. “Dancing Mad” was the first to get a huge response, but it was totally obliterated when “J.E.N.O.V.A.” flashed on the screen. The house erupted in prolonged hooting and shouting, signaling an obvious winner.

After that, that only thing that could truly finish the night was the epic “One Winged Angel.” After a quick “Well, I don't need to tell you what this one is!” introduction, the orchestra played about two notes and, again, the house went nuts. The choir brought the goods, delivering a chilling rendition of the song while everyone's favorite bad guy strutted his stuff on the big screen.

There's no question that Distant Worlds was, and is, soaring success. Any fan of either the Final Fantasy games or of really fun and brash orchestration in general should book their trip to the nearest show immediately. It will not be a night (or day!) I will ever forget.

Set-list:

FINAL FANTASY VIII: Liberi Fatali (w/Macalester College Concert Choir)
FINAL FANTASY X: To Zanarkand 
FINAL FANTASY VIII: Don't be Afraid  
FINAL FANTASY VII: Aerith's Theme 
FINAL FANTASY I-III: Medley 2002 
FINAL FANTASY V: Dear Friends   (w/Tristian Anderson)
FINAL FANTASY IX: Vamo' alla Flamenco (w/Tristian Anderson)
FINAL FANTASY XI: Ronfaure
FINAL FANTASY series: Main Theme 

(intermission)

FINAL FANTASY VII: Opening - Bombing Mission, 
FINAL FANTASY VIII: Fisherman's Horizon,  (w/Macalester College Concert Choir)
FINAL FANTASY XI: Memoro de la Stono - Distant Worlds (w/Macalester College Concert Choir and Leanne Araya)
FINAL FANTASY VIII: Love Grows (w/Gregory Thyson)
FINAL FANTASY series: Swing de Chocobo 
FINAL FANTASY VI: Opera "Maria and Draco" (w/Laura Nichols, Nathan Petersen-Kindem and Jeffrey Hess)

(encore)

FINAL FANTASY VI: Terra's Theme
FINAL FANTASY VII: One-Winged Angel (w/choir)