We’ve all seen or at least heard of the blockbuster that was Barbie: The Movie. Greta Gerwig’s hit, coloured by an outstanding cast and of course, all things pink, shattered records at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing movie of 2023 and the biggest for a solo female director. Barbie was everything it set out to be and more! It inspired a generation of young girls and anyone else who felt emboldened to embrace their authenticity and work toward self-acceptance.
As if the Barbie experience couldn’t get any better, to kick off International Women’s History Month, the Royal Albert Hall in London hosted the Barbie Sinfonietta for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience, Barbie: The Movie—In Concert.
Excitingly, the night was soundtracked by an all-women and majority women-of-colour orchestra. Founded by Egyptian-American Macy Schmidt, The Sinfonietta is the first all-female and majority women-of-colour orchestra on Broadway. The group has continued to redefine orchestral music, bringing their talents to major productions worldwide.
Led and conducted by the brilliant Macy Schmidt, The Sinfonietta added an entirely new layer to the film. Music has always had the power to enhance storytelling, but experiencing Barbie in this way felt different - it was blissful. From the Overture to Dance the Night, and finally What was I Made For?, the orchestra took us on a graceful and exhilarating journey through the movie. It was all played with such precision and passion that it deepened the emotional beats of the story and I hung onto every note.
As much as the evening was about watching Barbie with live music, for me it was also about witnessing the remarkable artistry of The Sinfonietta in action. Since making their live orchestral debut as part of Carnegie Hall Citywide in the U.S., The Sinfonietta has collaborated with global pop stars such as Brandy, Jordin Sparks, and Renée Rapp, provided live scores for films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Avatar: The Last Airbender, and even opened the 2023 Tony Awards. Seeing them perform in person was a privilege.
Beyond their incredible talent, what makes The Sinfonietta so special is their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the arts. Their innovative approach in breaking down barriers, proving that representation in orchestral music is not only possible but necessary. As someone who works behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, I’m deeply invested in championing more women in all roles (especially women of colour) on stage and behind the scenes. Seeing these extraordinary women command the stage and bring the vision to life was nothing short of inspiring.
The generally reserved British audience were quite composed, but Macy said dance and I was having the time of my life! Although this was The Sinfonietta’s final show of the tour, I have no doubt they’ll be back and I’ll be first in line for their next performance.
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