The Galileo Project - Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra

The Vancouver Island Symphony presents
The Galileo Project
Guest Orchestra:  Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
Monday, November 26, 7:30 p.m. Port Theatre, Nanaimo
Tickets: 250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com

 

Music of the Spheres
Like a window to the universe the Port Theatre stage will resemble an astronomical telescope as the Vancouver Island Symphony presents Toronto's Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra performing ‘The Galileo Project: Music of the Spheres’.

Science and Music
Science, music and storytelling meld together in this unforgettable concert as under a visual spectacle of stars and planets Tafelmusik, one of the world’s leading baroque and classical orchestras, plays music from some of the greatest composers of the 17^th and 18^th centuries.

Celebrating astronomy

Tafelmusik developed this fascinating fusion to celebrate the Year of Astronomy (2009) and the 400^th Anniversary of Galileo’s first public demonstration of the telescope. Says Alison Mackay, the creative force behind this and other Tafelmusik projects, “One of our audience members, John Percy (Professor of Astronomy at the University of Toronto), suggested that the world of Galileo and baroque music would make a good concert.”

Journey through time and space

It took two years for Mackay to research and write the programme, choose the music and the visuals. “Each of the images, when put together with the music, becomes more than the sum of their parts. It is emotional for the orchestra to play music in such heightened context.” A team of top Canadian talent provided staging, projection, set design, construction and lighting. Says Mackay, “It was tremendously exciting, watching it come together.”

A choreographed orchestra

To complement the overall presentation, the orchestra took on the challenge of learning all the music by memory. “This has really freed us to move around the stage and communicate with the audience in a different way. Now we are choreographed!”

Calling all astronomers and music lovers

Since its premiere at The Banff Centre in 2009, ‘The Galileo Project’ has been to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, is now touring Western Canada. “Many astronomers are interested in music,” adds Mackay. “Galileo himself played a lute. Everywhere we have performed we have made links with the astronomical community. Sometimes they have even brought their telescopes for the audience to see.”

Not missing out on this exciting opportunity is the Nanaimo Astronomy Society. They will be in the theatre lobby on November 26 to show their telescopes – and after the concert, if the sky is clear, take a look at the stars!

Short videos of ‘The Galileo Project’ can be seen on YouTube - then come and experience the whole amazing show LIVE! To book your seat call 250-754-8550.

 

 

For more information on Tafelmusik visit www.tafelmusik.org.

For more information about the Vancouver Island Symphony visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com. Keeping Music LIVE!