KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 -- When orchestras worldwide returned to perform after the Covid-19 pandemic, their once-brimming concert halls found little enthusiasm - and revenue - with an ageing and dwindling audience.

Instead of playing its swan song, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) bounced back stronger when it began moving away from its primarily classical roots starting from 2021, to embrace pop culture, local heritage, and film scores like those from the Harry Potter franchise and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

And this month, the MPO will be playing the cult classic mafia film The Godfather.

"The MPO and DFP are living, evolving cultural forces, not just a place for classical music but a home for diverse artistic experiences.

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