Ascend the mountainous landscape for these magnificent Mount Wilson Observatory concerts in the vaulted dome housing the monumental Hooker 100-inch telescope. Starting this spring, you can enjoy an acoustical banquet of esteemed musicians in the historic temple of science over a mile above the city. Throughout the year, there’ll be shows twice a day with the first one happening on May 14, 2023 through October.
This 20th Century vaulted structure opens up to the twinkling heavens above and provides an awe-inspiring stage for world-class musicians. The curved rotunda envelopes audiences in the music and has acoustics to match one of Europe’s foremost symphony halls. It seems only fitting that our cultural horizons should broaden in the same place that astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered that the Milky Way galaxy was just one of the many galaxies in an ever-expanding universe.
Leading these cosmic concerts is Artistic Director and acclaimed French cellist Cécilia Tsan who will open the series with Rachel Mellis on flute Martin Chalifour on violin and Victor de Almeida on the viola. Tsan’s prolific career began at the tender age of five and includes concert performances worldwide, both as a soloist and chamber musician. As one of 109 women chosen to receive a French Marianne Award for inclusion in the Panthéon in Paris, you can rest assured the fifth series at Mount Wilson Observatory will be nothing short of incredible.
Closing out this year’s season is French Violinist Ambroise Aubrun, founding member and first violinist of the Rossetti String Quartet Henry Gronnier, who will perform music by Karol Beffa and Bach alongside Tsan on the cello.
Tickets to Mount Wilson Observatory concerts are $50. They include access to the exhibit, a free shuttle that runs to the parking every 20 minutes, and an invitation to the reception, where guests can meet the musicians. A portion of the proceeds will go towards preserving this landmark.
🗓️ Schedule:
📍 Location: 100-Inch Telescope Dome, Mount Wilson Circle Road & Mount Wilson Road, Mount Wilson, CA 91023
🎟️ Ticket Details: You can find out more and book tickets here!
Featured Image: Cripell via Flickr