UNIVERSAL DREAM. Celtic group Ensemble Galilei and National Public Radio’s Neal Conan, center, will perform a multimedia concert at the Pantages Theater Feb. 14. “A Universe of Dreams” presents music, images, poetry and prose to create an out-of-this-world experience for audiences. (Photos courtesy Tacoma Philharmonic)
This Valentine’s Day, the Tacoma Philharmonic invites area residents to take a cosmic journey exploring the universe through music, images, poetry and prose. “A Universe of Dreams,” the nationally acclaimed production that explores the wonder and mystery of the universe, is coming to the Pantages Theater for a romantic one-night-only event.
The show features music by the Celtic early music group Ensemble Galilei and the words of Stanley Kunitz, Jim Harrison, William Shakespeare and a Navajo creation myth, narrated by National Public Radio’s (NPR) Neal Conan. Images from the Hubble Space Telescope will provide a backdrop to the music and narration.
This performance is the first of “A Universe of Dreams” within the state of Washington, but elsewhere it has received significant praise.
“People love it,” said Andy Wood, executive director of the Tacoma Philharmonic. “(The show has received) standing ovations. It is really widely acclaimed everywhere they’ve performed.”
Every year the Philharmonic presents a Valentine’s Day concert that is a little different than the organization’s usual shows.
“Our traditional focus is on classical music and with our valentine’s music we like to bring a program that is accessible to a wide ranging audience, and specifically suited for the occasion of Valentine’s Day,” Wood said.
Ensemble Galilei, which provides the foundation for the show, is a collection of women playing such instruments as fiddle, Baroque violin, oboe, the Celtic harp and the viola de gamba. The ensemble performs Irish and Scottish tunes, early and medieval music and original compositions.
Conan is the host of NPR’s Talk of the Nation, which reaches nearly 3 million listeners a week on more than 280 member stations. His voice has been a familiar one to NPR listeners for the past 25 years.
Also joining the performance will be percussionist Jackie Moran, who recently began working with Ensemble Galilei. Moran has a resume that includes work with Elvis Costello, a tour with Riverdance, and work on such films as “Backdraft” and “The Road to Perdition.”
The Tacoma Philharmonic is an arts organization that has been presenting music experiences featuring artists from around the world for more than 70 years. During past Valentine’s Day shows, the Philharmonic has featured such groups as Empire Brass and Cello Octet Conjunto Iberica.
“A Universe of Dreams” will take place Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Pantages Theater. Tickets range from $32.50 to $62.50 with discounts for seniors, children, active-duty military and groups. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (253) 272-0809 or (253) 591-5894, or visit www.tacomaphilharmonic.org.
