Piano Opera: Music from Final Fantasy Prepares for its First Worldwide Tour

Ah, Final Fantasy, how many, like myself, are obsessed with you and (most of) your games. Just to emphasize the point of obsession, the world recently exploded over the announcement of the Final Fantasy VII Remake, and captured reactions littered all over YouTube.

As for myself, I have been a major fan of nearly every Final Fantasy -- yes, even the Final Fantasy XIII saga -- ever since nearly Kindergarten. Today, my love for Final Fantasy still thrives; you can definitely catch me playing Heavensward (absolutely adoring the soundtrack, by the by) on my off time, listening to a few Final Fantasy-related soundtracks in my car, or humming the chocobo theme while waiting on some appointment.

Music is just one of the aspects that makes Final Fantasy such a magical experience. Those who haven't played the franchise may have picked up theme references in other forms of media, and those that have played the franchise can at least name several memorable and goosebump-inducing themes: One-Winged Angel, Suteki Da Ne, Kiss Me Goodbye, Vamo' Alla Flamenco, You're Not Alone, Liberi Fatale, Prelude, Prologue, The Crystal Theme, the classic Chocobo Theme, Aria Di Mezzo, and Theme of Love. Of course, there are so many more I could list, but then this article would just become a long list of memorable Final Fantasy themes.

To hear these themes outside games is a mystical, unforgettable experience. Distant Worlds, The Black Mages, Piano Collections, Pray, S Generation, N Generation, Chips -- these are just a few albums and concerts that have emerged as a result of the fans' love for the series' music.

And now, we get to look forward to another beautiful concert. Introducing the Piano Opera: Music from Final Fantasy tour, coming live to London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Brussels, and Stockholm! The best of Final Fantasy music will be accompanied by giant screen video projection and performed on piano by Hiroyuki Nakayama. Just to toss a very important cherry on top, expect legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu to supervise the concert.

Piano Opera, produced by Square Enix, will focus mainly on Final Fantasy VI, VII, VIII, and IX. Never before seen in-concert video edit of game footage will be displayed, portraying all the most intense and emotional moments that captures the core of each title. Of course, fans are treated to a small list of expected songs at the concert:

• Ami (Final Fantasy VIII)
• The Man with the Machine Gun (Final Fantasy VIII)
• Roses of May (Final Fantasy IX)
• You're Not Alone (Final Fantasy IX)
• Liberi Fatali (Final Fantasy VIII)
• Melodies of Life (Final Fantasy IX)
• Fight On! (Final Fantasy VII)
• Cosmo Canyon (Final Fantasy VII)
• Words Drowned by Fireworks (Final Fantasy VII)

Of course, other themes, including ones from Final Fantasy VI (which oddly hasn't been listed on the featured list), will be there. The tickets have been on pre-sale since yesterday at Wild Faery ($39 normal, $95 VIP at New York concert), but here are the official ticket sale dates for the first six cities, along with the links to where you can purchase them:

• Stockholm / Sweden - November 12, 2015 - Musikaliska: June 24
• London / United Kingdom - November 15, 2015 - Coronet Theatre: July 1
• New York / USA - February 26, 2016 - Baruch Performing Art Academy (Mason Hall): July 1
• Los Angeles / USA - February 28, 2016 - Wilshire Ebell Theatre: July 1
• Paris / France - November 7, 2015 - Le Bataclan: July 1
• Brussels / Belgium - November 9, 2015 - Le Theatre Saint Michel: July 1

Extreme excitement would be considered an understatement for how I feel at the moment. Personally, I love You're Not Alone, Rose of May, and plenty of what is already featured on the list, so I can only imagine what other themes will be heard at these concerts. Nevertheless, a treat for fans of Final Fantasy music everywhere. If you cannot attend these concerts, you can always purchase the Piano Opera - Final Fantasy I - IX Special Edition collection set, which comes with three CDs, for $54.

What would you like to hear played at the Piano Opera? In my opinion, I would love to hear Freya's or Cleyra's theme on piano.