Mt. Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory — the scientific marvel above Pasadena, atop Mount Wilson — is hosting a six-month series of Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome on the first Sunday of each month through October. The concerts, thoughtfully curated by Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan, are presented inside the iconic vaulted dome of the 100-inch telescope.
The June 2 concert program will feature oboe quartets by Mozart and Britten plus a string trio by Beethoven with Leslie Reed on oboe, Roger Wilkie on violin, Alma Fernandez on viola, and Tsan on cello.
The hour-long performances are at 3 and 5 p.m. (same program). There will be an artist reception with wine and cheese at 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to stay for that or arrive early to enjoy the reception before the five o’clock performance begins. In addition, concert-goers can enjoy an exhibition featuring rare scientific artifacts, drawings and illustrations from the Observatory’s collection.
Seating inside the historic dome is limited. Tickets cost $50 and are available for purchase in advance (highly recommended) or at the door. For more information on Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome, visit https://www.mtwilson.edu/concerts.
All proceeds go to support the Mt. Wilson Institute in its mission to preserve, protect and promote the Observatory and the science accomplished there. The grounds of the legendary observatory — founded in 1904 by astrophysical pioneer George Ellery Hale — are open for free to the public year round. For visitor information, see https://www.mtwilson.edu/visiting.
Upcoming 2019 Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome include:
Sunday, June 2
Leslie Reed, oboe, Roger Wilkie, violin, Alma Fernandez, viola, and Cécilia Tsan, cello, in a program of oboe quartets by Mozart and Britten and a Beethoven string trio.
Sunday, July 7
Voices in the Dome with Hila Plitmann, soprano, Sangeeta Kaur, soprano, Rachel Mellis, flute, Reina Inui, violin, Jacqueline Marshall, harp, and Shea Welsh, guitar. On the program are compositions by Danaë Vlasse, Todd Mason, Bruce Babcock, Mark McEncroe and Anthony Constantino.
Sunday, Aug. 4
Schubert’s String Quintet in C major performed by the Lyris Quartet featuring Alyssa Park, Shalini Vijayan, violins, Luke Maurer, viola, Timothy Loo, cello, and Cécilia Tsan, cello.
Sunday, Sept. 1
Cello duets performed by Eric Byers and Cécilia Tsan featuring works by Bach, Barriere and Offenbach.
Sunday, Oct. 6
The concert series wraps up the summer season with Mozart and Brahms quintets for clarinet and strings. The artists include Pierre Génisson, clarinet, Ambroise Aubrun and Henry Gronnier, violins, Virginie d’Avezac, viola, and Cécilia Tsan, cello.