Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (2023)

Not only will the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra be the first in Canada to present Disney’s 1994 classic The Lion King – In Concert Live to Film on Saturday, it will be a world premiere.

CEO and creative producer of the SSO, Mark Turner, says because of past Disney productions the SSO has performed, he has made some connections with the company, so a few years ago he asked if they could do the Lion King. He was told no, because Disney had never offered the live action version for this type of presentation. Turner was tenacious and got a few other American orchestras on board who also wanted to perform the movie. He also reminded Disney that 2024 is the 30th anniversary of The Lion King and it was a definitive movie for children in the 90s. They finally said yes and the result is the two performances coming up on Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30. This is the first time the SSO has added a matinee to its evening performance.

Turner says performing live to a movie is challenging for an orchestra because film scores weren’t meant to be played live. They were meant to be played in small chunks and added to the soundtrack. There is also the challenge of timing, especially when it’s a musical and you need to keep in time with the singing in the film. Conductor Karl Hirzer will have a ‘click track’ in his ear with a beat, and as long as he keeps that beat, the orchestra will stay with the beat of the singer.

Local artist Denyse Klette, who is the only Canadian Disney fine artist, will display her work in the lobby at both shows and will be giving away one of her Lion King prints. Tickets are limited, but they are available through the TCU Place box office in person or online.