The orchestra performance “Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons” transported the audience into the world of “Stardew Valley” under the Saenger Theatre’s faux starry sky.
“Stardew Valley” is a farm simulation game created by Eric Barone, popularly known by his gamertag ConcernedApe. Players begin on a farm in a small town left to them by their late grandfather after leaving behind a grueling desk job for the corporation Joja. The player can farm, mine, forage, fish and make friends with villagers while taking the game at their own pace.
To bring the symphony to life, a 35-piece orchestra composed of New Orleans musicians performed a variety of songs from the “Stardew Valley” soundtrack, beginning with the opening scenes of the game and following the player to the end of their first in-game year.
Barone originally composed the music heard while playing “Stardew Valley.” To create “Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons,” he partnered with SOHO Live and was heavily involved with the process of bringing this video game to the stage.
From avid players to friends, the audience was filled with people who, in some capacity, enjoy the game or recognize the joy it brings to its players. Many chose to dress for the occasion, with some dressed as characters from the game while others were dressed as their own in-game character.
Before the show began, a video message from Barone was played as he thanked the audience for choosing to attend the show and creating “the very best community in all of video games.” This screen, which was placed high on the wall behind the musicians, was used throughout the show to enhance the storyline portrayed by the music.
In addition to real in-game scenes, fan art created by dedicated fans was scattered throughout the film, showing angles and renderings of game scenes that are impossible to see during a regular playthrough of “Stardew Valley.”
“I love how they have creator art in the back,” said Kyndle Liebes-Patrawke, a member of the audience. “I really enjoy that and how it gave us a different perspective of the beach and the farmhouse.”
From the first song to the end, the audience was captured by the combination of film and music, with laughter often erupting in response to the silly cut scenes and their own fond memories of discovering the storylines and personalities of “Stardew Valley” characters. The outside world melted away, and worries were long forgotten as the musicians performed.
“The first song, it just, rocked me,” audience member Lucy Stelioes-Wills said. “I’m a band kid, so I’m paying attention to the orchestra, and just everybody’s tone is so good. It’s all perfect for the game. It all matches quite nicely.”
The songs featured throughout the show ranged, with some heard during a regular day in-game, while others can only be heard during a specific scene or in a certain spot. For example, “The Stardrop Saloon” is a song that is only heard when you enter the game’s local saloon, while “Spring (It’s a Big World Outside)” is well known as the song played during spring in the game.
Although many people may have purchased a ticket simply because the music was from a game they adore, they left with a sense of awe and admiration for the musicians and the hard work put into bringing this show to life. Attendee Alexis Hamilton, a dental student at the LSU School of Dentistry and graduate of Tulane, said she has played “Stardew Valley” since 2018 and has followed the game through many major updates over the years.
“I feel like it’s a lot more intricate sounding and almost more interesting than it actually is in the game,” Hamilton said.
As the show came to a close with the songs played at the end of winter, the crowd settled down and the atmosphere became quite somber. For the last song of the night, the orchestra performed “Summit of Celebration,” a song that plays once a player has reached perfection on their farm and visits the “Stardew Valley” summit for the first time.
For many audience members, this was their first time hearing this song, as reaching perfection is no easy task. As the last note was played, applause engulfed the theatre, the orchestra receiving a standing ovation.
“I definitely felt emotional just because I’ve been playing this game for six years,” Liebes-Patrawke said. “’Stardew Valley’ has such a huge place in my heart, so getting to hear the music live is just so amazing. It’s like a dream come true.”
The “Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons” tour is ongoing, with performances taking place around the world. For more information on the show, and the chance to be wowed by amazing musicians, visit their website. Many of the merchandise options are available online as well, with no show attendance required.
