This week, the Lake Charles Symphony is hosting a performance that will combine the popular tunes of the Beatles with the classical sounds of Bach. 

The upcoming event “Beatles and Bach: Quartet in Candles” is at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 at Central School Theater, 809 Kirby St. 

Beth Dawdy, executive director, Lake Charles Symphony, said that the music of John, Paul, George and Ringo and Johann Sebastian Bach will be transmuted into a string performance with something for everyone. 

This will be the first “in-candles event” in Southwest Louisiana, and the Symphony wanted to ensure that the first Symphony concert surrounded by candles was accessible for all ages. 

 The numerous twinkling candles will illuminate the room and set the scene.     

“The ambiance and setting of a performance is just as important as the performance itself. The canvas of the Central School Theater in candles elevates the patron’s experience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Dawdy said she specifically designed a concert that blends contemporary and classical music to draw new crowds to the Symphony Orchestra.

This musical combination she chose is a popular one. In addition to many orchestras and quartets performing a Beatles and Bach “mashup” for years, the Beatles’ music took inspiration from the works of Bach, she said. 

“George and Paul played Bach before they were part of the ‘Fab Four.’ In fact, the first three notes of ‘Blackbird’ were inspired by Bach’s Bourrée. The Beatles went on to record many pieces with live orchestras. Conversely, many orchestras and quartets went on to perform the Beatles’ music.”

She noted that Lake Charles’ own ‘Fab Four’ who will be performing at “Beatles and Bach” are all local musicians. 

General admission for the performance is $45. A two-adult ticket package is available for $60. College students, senior citizens and youth ages 12 to 18 can purchase a ticket for $25. 

The “Lake Charles Symphony Finale Special” package is also still available. This $150 deal includes four adult tickets for the next two concerts: Two for “Beatles and Bach” and two for the Symphony’s 66th season finale performance “Pines of Rome” on Sunday, April 28. 

A reception will follow the quartet’s performance.