Seventeen years after the Blockbuster film release that introduced the world to vampires that sparkle in the sunlight and the mortal women who fall in love with them, “Twilight in Concert” graces a candlelit stage in most of North America, Asia and Europe to bring back fond memories. 

“(This performance features) a cinematic live-to-film event that brings the beloved saga to life through live music,” the event website reads. “This extraordinary experience allows fans to relive Bella and Edward’s epic love story in a way that is both intimate and mesmerizing.” 

And mesmerize the audience it did. Thunderous applause, giggles over the “hot vampires” and shrieks of delight echoed through the theater every time a new character came on screen — the loudest for Charlie and Jacob. 

“‘The Twilight Saga’ is one of the most successful young adult film franchises of all time,” the event brochure read. “The five films have grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office.” 

The book series by Stephanie Meyer has sold over 160 million copies worldwide while also introducing a new genre of paranormal romance — one of the first of its kind.

The 12-piece ensemble of  “Twilight in Concert” featured strings, percussion instruments, keys and a live singer. The various instruments added fundamental emotion and understanding to the film that played on the big screen while maintaining the original audio and sound effects. 

Composer Carter Burwell and music director Shelbie Rassler created a music score to emphasize the romantic and magical atmosphere that enhances the beauty of the film’s iconic music, which the event website said the ensemble yearned to portray to a mass audience. 

The performance started with a classic, upbeat melody to introduce the theme of a happy, coming-of-age film, with a soundtrack indicative of the early 2000s. With songs like “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse, the vocalist and ensemble evoked an ardent response from the over 2,000-member audience. 

The introduction of sultry, minor-key tones during the scene where Bella and Edward get to know each other in biology class creates a jazzy quality, foreshadowing the 17-year-olds’ mutual infatuation. 

The percussionist further accentuated the drama of the concluding fight by creating drum beats that thumped in sync as a person jumped up and down. The performance felt most reflective when the film’s Edward played “Clair de Lune” by Debussy, and pianist Shelby Rassler replicated the song down to the same finger lifts and pauses as the film. 

The ensemble demonstrated just how important music is to understanding a piece of media and situating it within a social context. The music offered a glimpse into Bella and Edward’s relationship, allowing audience members to re-experience the magic of first love, the nostalgia of spending the event with childhood friends and the evergreen debate over Team Edward, Team Jacob or maybe even Team Charlie.