Orchestra plans outer space concert

HURON TWP. — The Firelands Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Carl Topilow, will present "Through Space and Time," a concert exploring the connections between music and the cosmos. Taking place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, the performance will feature a range of orchestral works inspired by space, time and exploration. Acclaimed vocalist Connor Bogart O'Brien will join the orchestra for select pieces, "and the program will be accompanied by stunning videos of outer space to enhance the experience," according to an orchestra statement. The concert includes a variety of well-known selections, including: • Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra", widely recognized from "2001: A Space Odyssey" • Carl Orff's "O Fortuna" from "Carmina Burana" • Selections from James Horner's "Apollo 13" The works of John Williams will also be featured, with music from "ET: Adventure on Earth," "The Empire Strikes Back," "Star Trek Through the Ages" and "Superman." In addition to the orchestral selections, Connor Bogart O'Brien will perform Broadway favorites, including "Stars" from "Les Misérables," "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha," and "Bring Him Home" from "Les Misérables." Topilow will also contribute a clarinet performance during the encore, featuring the Cantina Band theme from "Star Wars." Tickets for this special event are $35 for general admission and $5 for students with a student ID. Seating is general admission, and tickets can be purchased at firelandssymphony.com or by calling the box office at 419-621-4800. Saluting a hero A special highlight of the evening is "Voyage into Space" by Peter Nero, featuring a real-life astronaut providing narration. Gregory H. Johnson, a retired colonel with the U.S. Air Force. He served as a NASA astronaut from 1998 to 2013. He logged more than 34 days in space, piloting two space shuttle missions, which supported construction and operations of the International Space Station. A 1994 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Johnson has flown 5,000-plus flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft, including 61 combat missions over two deployments in the Middle East.