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Thousands have sat in the gentle glow of Adelaide's brilliant Candlelight concerts and experienced the beauty of live music.
Marco Ruiz - Staff Writer
Candlelight’s candle-music combo has enchanted Adelaide audiences since the captivating concerts first took to the stage. The memorable evenings have shone a new light on live performances, making classical music or music performed by classically-trained musicians more accessible and open to everybody than ever before.
Transforming unique and iconic venues across the city with a sea of candles, the evenings are perfect for romantic rendezvous, dates with mates and outings with your favourite friends, as well as, the ultimate treat to oneself because you really don’t need anyone else to experience an hour of beautiful live music.
With a range of concerts to suit all musical tastes, from classical to contemporary, there’s no time like the present to plan an exceptional candlelit night of song. Take a look below to see what Candlelight concerts are coming up and everything else you need to know about Candlelight.
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It’s the most wonderful time of year and Candlelight is popping off with Holiday Specials this Christmas.
On Friday 23 December at 6:30pm, Amicus String Quartet will take to the stage in the Grand Lodge of the Freemason’s Hall for a festive performance of Christmas classics, from carols to classical. A selection of songs from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker will resound alongside scores by Debussy, Adolphe Adam, Vivaldi and Émile Waldteufel. They’ll be contrasted with holiday medleys that include Hark the Herald Angels Sing, The First Noël, Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High, and Away in a Manger.
Kindle the Christmas spirit by Candlelight.Adelaide’s first Candlelight concerts featured the compositions of classical greats before turning to music legends and today’s pop icons, from pop to rock, indie, jazz and movie soundtracks. Performances by string quartets, pianists and other ensembles offer their interpretation of famed scores while also reimagining the chart-topping hits of today—your favourite songs resound as you’ve never heard them before.
Candlelight has been met with countless 5-star reviews since arriving in Adelaide. Guests have said that the evenings are “a creative, enchanting, and new concert experience” and that “the performers were fantastic!”
“What a wonderful experience!” – Serenity Now at Best of Hans Zimmer
“Amazing evening, such great acoustics for talented performers.” – Andrea Holland at Best of Hans Zimmer
“Our first time and it won’t be the last. Just brilliant!” – Lisa Rayner at Tribute to Queen
“Fabulous setting. Top class musicians. A unique, beautiful experience.” – Karen Peck at Tribute to Queen
“One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.” – Rianna Sheldon at Candlelight Ballet
“Fantastic, amazing and so many other words I can’t put into sentences!” – Clare Cordingley at Tribute to Radiohead
With hundreds of candles encircling the musicians on stage and swaying to the sound of their instruments, Candlelight elevates the listening experience to new heights. It’s one that needs to be seen to be believed.
Intimate and extraordinary atmospheres have been created at some of the city’s most beautiful and unique venues, including The Grand Lodge in the Freemason’s Hall as well as The Meeting Hall, Capri Theatre and the Adelaide Town Hall. More will surely come.
Typically, Candlelight concerts take place twice each night with two back-to-back 60-65 minute performances. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each show so as to allow audiences time to settle down into their seats and take in the serene setting created by the flickering light. No late entry is permitted so as not to disturb the performance.
A recurring question is, What do you wear to Candlelight? The simple answer is that Candlelight has no dress code and there is no obligation to dress up in your finest attire—it’s not the opera. However, if you’re someone that needs a dress code, then think smart-casual with an emphasis on being comfortable, clean and relaxed.
Candlelight prides itself on being as accessible as possible and for this reason, it tends to have three or four seating options to choose from. Zone D ticket prices start from around $30 and those closest to the stage or with the best sightlines (Zone A) are more expensive.
With new concerts and new venues being added to Candlelight every season, you can expect the sensational series of concerts to stick around. When was the last time you saw hundreds of candles light up the night?