I walked into The Theatre at Solaire to watch the Moana Live to Film concert thinking that it would be just like watching the movie but with some live music. I never imagined that watching a Disney film I had already watched before could make me feel all-new emotions, but here we are. In a nutshell, the Moana Live to Film Concert was extraordinary.
Photo from Disney
While the breathtaking visuals of the animated masterpiece washed over the big screen, the experience was made even more spellbinding by the 78-player Filharmonika Orchestra and stunning live vocals for Moana and Maui’s songs. Hearing the soaring melodies performed live inside the theater added an emotional depth and warmth that elevated the film’s score far beyond standard theater surround sound.
Janella Salvador delivered a breathtaking vocal performance as the guest vocalist for Moana. Bringing her signature emotional clarity, crystal-clear tone, and immense vocal power to the stage; she captured the fierce determination and adventurous heart of Moana, hitting those high notes every time and breathing fresh life into the character’s iconic anthems.
InstagramGian Magdangal as Maui was also a standout highlight. He delivered a stellar, pitch-perfect rendition of the demigod’s iconic number “You’re Welcome”, bringing a commanding stage presence, humor, and powerhouse vocals that completely captured the spirit of the character. Every note he hit resonated through the hall. We were so impressed!
InstagramThe audience itself also proved as a testament to the timeless appeal of Disney’s Pacific-faring adventure. Looking around the auditorium, there were a lot of kids in attendance, many dressed in their finest island-inspired attire, whose gasps of wonder and joyful singing reminded me why Disney stories are so deeply cherished across generations.
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Bringing a brand-new live-to-film concert experience to life is definitely no small feat, and it turns out the Philippines had a very special role to play for the Moana Live to Film concert. According to conductor Gerard Salonga, the Philippines served as the global guinea pigs for this incredible concert format, making Manila one of the very earliest to witness the production. Proving to be a roaring success, the premiere set a high standard for what is sure to become a beloved global touring format.
If you missed today’s Moana Live to Film concert performance, there is still time to catch the magic tomorrow for the final set of performances at The Theatre at Solaire.
A massive thank you to FilmConcertsPH for the invite to witness this historic, soul-stirring world premiere. It is safe to say that the ocean chose well, and Manila answered the call.
