Ensemble Galilei with Neal Conan: First Person: Stories from the Edge of the World
Saturday, February 21, 2009, 8 p.m.

Presented in cooperation with 91.9 WUIS Public Radio __________________________________________________________

Ibn Battuta writes of his travels to 14th Century Iraq. George Mallory sends a letter home before he attempts the summit of Mount Everest. Charles Darwin confesses his doubts on a voyage that will change all of what we assume to know.  These are just a few of the stories and narratives featured in "First Person: Stories from the Edge of the World", a remarkable collaboration between the National Geographic Society, NPR's Neal Conan, and Ensemble Galilei. Spectacular photographs and images projected on a large on-stage screen, Neal Conan's compelling narration, and evocative music created specifically for this project, work seamlessly to take the audience along on some of the world's most extraordinary expeditions.

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About Ensemble Galilei

Ensemble Galilei an ensemble of players from both classical and Celtic traditional backgrounds, playing Irish and Scottish airs and dance tunes, Early and Medieval music, and original compositions.  "First Person: Stories from the Edge of the World" will feature:

Kathryn Montoya - recorders, oboe, and whistle
Sue Richards - Celtic harp
Carolyn Anderson Surrick - viola da gamba
Hanneke Cassel - Scottish fiddle
Allison Edberg - early fiddle

Ensemble Galilei Website - Click to view.

About Neal Conan

Neal Conan first read poetry and stories to the music of Ensemble Galilei in 2000 and worked with the group to put together both "A Universe of Dreams," which debuted in 2004, and "First Person: Stories from the Edge of the World," which had its premiere at the National Geographic Society in 2007. Weekdays, Mr. Conan hosts "Talk of the Nation," which is broadcast on about 300 NPR stations and NPR Worldwide. Before that, Conan served NPR News as a reporter, editor and producer and as Bureau Chief in New York and London. He covered many elections, several wars, one impeachment and, in 2004, moderated the first radio only presidential debate since 1948. In 2000, Mr. Conan took a leave of absence to broadcast baseball play by play for the Aberdeen Arsenal, a team in the independent Atlantic League and wrote a book about his experiences, "Play by Play: Baseball, Radio and Life in the Last Chance League."

About the National Geographic Society

The artwork, maps, and photographs are astonishing, Images for "First Person: Stories from the Edge of the World" were all chosen from one of the most comprehensive and unique collections of photographs and original artwork in the world. The National Geographic Image Collection contains more than 10 million transparencies, black and white prints, early color photographs, and pieces of original art-and some of the collection's most thrilling pieces are included in this project.

Click to learn more (National Geographic story)

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