iWorld
Candlelight concert series arrives in India for the first time
Mumbai: Candlelight Concerts, the globally acclaimed series of intimate multi-sensory live musical experiences, is all set to captivate India with the first performances in the country, happening in Mumbai, New Delhi and Faridabad from June 2024. Produced by Live Your City, a brand under the American company Fever Labs Inc, the leading global live-entertainment discovery platform, Candlelight Concerts are a series of original music concerts aimed at democratizing access to classical music by allowing people all over the world to enjoy live music performances in an intimate setting illuminated by thousands of candles.
The concerts line-up – starting in June across Mumbai and Delhi and getting to Faridabad in July– is a captivating blend of classical and contemporary music to cater to diverse musical preferences. Grand Hyatt Mumbai will host the India premiere with “Best Movie Soundtracks” on June 2. Music connoisseurs who miss the premiere will have another opportunity to experience the soundtracks on 13 July and 4 August. The Four Seasons in Mumbai will resonate with the anthems of Coldplay played by a local string quartet on 15 June, 19 July, and 17 August.
Delhi’s audiences can look forward to a classic musical journey with the elegance of “From Mozart to Chopin” at the SRCPA on 14 June, 12 July, and 9 August. The same venue will reverberate to “Best Movie Soundtracks” on June 28, July 26, and August 23, while Le Meridien will come alive with the vibrant energy of Coldplay’s iconic hits reinterpreted with classical instruments on 16 June, 6 July, and 16 August. These Candlelight Concert programs will also reach the Radisson Blu Hotel in Faridabad from 5 July.
“We are thrilled to see outstanding places in India being transformed by our renowned candlelit setting,” said Live Your City regional general manager of MENA, APAC & India Rachid Elameri. “Candlelight concerts’s mission is to democratize access to classical music while working with unique spaces that are part of each city’s cultural heritage, giving visibility to talented local artists, and bringing a wide variety of programs to attend local audiences’ expectations and meet all tastes. We believe that the Candlelight Concerts will resonate deeply with Indian audiences, who have a rich appreciation for art, culture, and music”.
“We are deeply honored to showcase the globally renowned Candlelight Concert Series and host its premiere performance in India at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai,” said Hyatt West India general manager and area vice president Dietmar Kielnhofer. “Our commitment to creating exceptional and memorable experiences for our guests is reflected in every detail of these enchanting concerts. The ambiance of thousands of candles combined with mesmerizing music will provide an unforgettable evening for our guests. We are excited to be at the forefront of this cultural journey, making classical music accessible and engaging for a new generation of enthusiasts.”
The candlelight concept is particularly renowned for taking classical concerts beyond opera houses and concert halls and into venues that are part of each city’s cultural scene. Candlelight concerts of varying scales have been hosted in all kinds of idyllic locations, spanning from modern rooftops with great views to iconic cathedrals, palaces, libraries, gardens and more. Amongst the most iconic of these locations have been the Atomium in Belgium, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai, among others. This is the first time that these unique experiences are being held in India.
Check out the upcoming programming in India:
Mumbai
Candlelight: Best movie soundtracks
Venue: Grand Hyatt Mumbai
Dates and Times: 2 June, 13 July, 4 August (Time- 18:30 & 21:00 )
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Local String Quartet – to be announced soon
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,199 onwards
Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
Dates and Times: 15 June, 19 July (Time- 17:00, 19:00 & 21:00 )
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Local String Quartet – to be announced soon
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,499 onwards
Candlelight: From Mozart to Chopin
Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
Dates and Times: 17 August(Time- 17:00, 19:00 & 21:00 )
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Pianist – Tavan Shah
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,499 onwards
Delhi
Candlelight: From Mozart to Chopin
Venue: Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts (SRCPA)
Dates and Times: 14 June, 12 July, 9 August 9 (Time- 18:30 & 20:30)
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Pianist – Vashu Tangri
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,199 onwards
Candlelight: Best Movie Soundtracks
Venue: Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts (SRCPA)
Dates and Times: 28 June, 26 July, 23 August (Time-18:30 & 20:30)
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Local String Quartet – to be announced soon
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,199 onwards
Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
Venue: Le Meridien
Dates and Times: 16 June, 6 July, 16 August (Time- 18:15 & 21:00)
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Pianist – Vashu Tangri
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,499 onwards
Faridabad
Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel
Dates and Times: 5 July (Time- 19:00)
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Local Pianist – To be announced soon
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,199 onwards
Candlelight: From Mozart to Chopin
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel
Dates and Times: 5 July (Time- 21:00)
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Local Pianist – To be announced soon
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,199 onwards
Candlelight: Best Movie Soundtracks
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel
Dates and Times: 10 August (Time- 19:00 & 21:00)
Duration: 60 minutes
Musicians: Local Pianist – To be announced soon
Value: 1 Ticket – from 1,199 onwards
Book your tickets now at https://liveyourcity.com/en
iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
