Queen, Taylor Swift Receive ‘Bridgerton’ Treatment in Candlelight Concerts

For a moment, it feels like you’ve stepped back into Victorian England.

Or perhaps you’ve wandered onto the set of “Bridgerton.”

Four musicians sit on stage, surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles. The soft light dances off the polished wood of violins, a viola, and a cello.

But that’s not Mozart they’re playing. Or Beethoven.

It’s Queen. And not the queen of England: iconic rock band Queen.

Specifically, it’s the song “Under Pressure,” with violins echoing Freddie Mercury’s soaring vocals and a cello finger-picking the recognizable bassline: Dum dum dum da-da dum dum, dum dum dum da-da dum dum.

Think “Bridgerton’s” pop-classical cover tunes, and you’ll grasp what to expect from Candlelight Concerts: Queen, Taylor Swift, ABBA, Adele, and other pop-rock favorites, all performed by a string quartet on a romantic, candle-lit stage.

The ongoing concert series has been filling venues across Florida and the rest of the United States.

“They are definitely growing in popularity,” says David Lisker, a professional violinist, who recruits many of the shows’ top-tier musicians through his New York City-based group, Listeso Music Group. “They are expanding into more and more cities.”

Audiences love it. Candlelight Concerts often sell out in Florida venues like Sarasota, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Lakeland.

The Queen show recently sold out at Fort Myers’ Music & Arts Community Center. Audience members cheered and clapped along to “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and other hits. They even enjoyed a few classical and opera tunes snuck into the setlist by a playful violinist.

For some, it was their first classical concert, and it might not be the last. “We love Queen,” says Bev Howard of Fort Myers. “And they threw in some opera songs, and we loved that as well. It was wonderful.”

The aim of Candlelight Concerts is to offer beloved songs in a relaxed setting and introduce audiences to classical music.

“It’s a great concept,” says Andrew Kurtz, executive director of The MACC. “It’s an amazing experience. The candlelight creates a beautiful atmosphere.”

The electric candles — a sea of artificial flames surrounding the musicians — transport audiences, making the experience both intimate and romantic.

“It’s dim but romantic. It’s very intimate. It focuses your senses on the music,” says Lisker of Listeso Music Group.

Unlike large auditoriums, these smaller shows feel like traveling to a simpler time.

“It creates a nostalgia for simpler times,” Lisker says.

Organized by Madrid-based Fever, Candlelight Concerts debuted in New York City in 2019 and quickly expanded to other U.S. cities, according to Fever publicist Lucia Casado. They reached Miami in 2020, and there are now Candlelight Concerts in over 20 Florida cities, including Naples and Fort Myers.

Fever organizes Candlelight Concerts in over 150 cities worldwide. They attract younger audiences, often people in their 20s and 30s, and have drawn 16,000 attendees to The MACC last season alone.

“Most of the shows are either selling out or close to it,” says Kurtz. “They’re very popular.”

The “Bridgerton” effect might contribute to the familiarity of Candlelight Concerts, but Lisker believes the desire for simpler, low-tech experiences drives their popularity.

“Audiences react well to something from a simpler time,” he says. “You have these authentic, antique instruments performing modern music. There’s a subconscious nostalgia that resonates with people.”

This marks a shift in how people consume classical music — or, rather, modern music played with classical instruments.

“People are more interested in personalized experiences,” Lisker says. “They prefer intimate settings where they’re not one of thousands, but part of a smaller, closer group.”

The one-hour concerts usually feature a string quartet playing songs from Coldplay, The Beatles, Adele, ABBA, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.

Swift shows are particularly lively, says violinist Hannah Cho from the Southwest Florida Symphony and The Venice Symphony. “These Swifties know everything. They get so excited,” she laughs.

The shows also offer a refreshing change of pace for musicians, including more intimate interactions with the audience.

In Fort Myers, Cho and three other musicians, dressed in black and billed as the Listeso String Quartet, sat surrounded by lifelike electric candles. They played emotional arrangements of Queen classics and shared stories behind the songs. After the show, they interacted with the audience.

The setlist included Queen’s most popular songs, with “Bohemian Rhapsody” leaving the musicians sweating. “That’s a pretty serious workout!” the grinning cellist Shea Kole said afterward.

Kole, a Naples Philharmonic regular, appreciates the differences between Candlelight Concerts and typical classical performances. He believes they help bring more people to classical music.

That’s why the Miami musician travels across Southern Florida to perform. “I’m happy to be involved. I think it makes string quartets more relevant. I appreciate any enthusiasm for my art form.”

If you live in Florida, chances are you’ll find a Candlelight Concerts show nearby. Upcoming Sarasota concerts include a “Tribute to Adele” on Sept. 20, “A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics” on Oct. 25, and a “Holiday Special Featuring ‘The Nutcracker’ and More” on Dec. 20 at St. Boniface Church. Tickets range from $44-$71. For more information, visit candlelightexperience.com.

Additionally, various venues across Florida host Candlelight Concerts, from Coral Gables to West Palm Beach.

Source: USA Today