On Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m., the Camden Opera House at 29 Elm St., welcomes Ensemble Galilei for "The Twelve Wild Geese," an evocative and family-friendly performance that brings an ancient tale to life through storytelling, music, and visual art.

 

"The Twelve Wild Geese" tells the timeless story of a princess and her 12 brothers, a tale that has traveled across cultures for centuries, from Ireland to Denmark. The story was published in an Irish folk tale collection by W. B. Yeats and has now been imaginatively refashioned by David Novak and Ensemble Galilei.

 

At the heart of the tale are universal themes of loyalty and courage, love and hope. Through the marriage of live music, passionate storytelling, and the experience of watching art being created, the performance transforms this traditional story into an immersive theatrical experience for audiences of all ages. Moments of humor and silliness combine with beauty and emotion to create a landscape that connects an ancient story with the present day.

 

Known for pushing the boundaries of multidisciplinary performance, Ensemble Galilei has spent more than 20 years exploring the intersection of words, music, and visual art. The ensemble has collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists and institutions, including Neal Conan, the Hubble Space Telescope Institute, National Geographic, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and NPR.

 

Joining Ensemble Galilei is acclaimed storyteller David Novak, recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award. Novak brings a powerful theatrical presence and emotional depth to the story, embodying its many characters and drawing audiences into a world that bridges past and present.

 

“The Twelve Wild Geese” offers audiences an opportunity to experience storytelling in a uniquely collaborative way — not simply hearing a story, but watching music, art, and performance come together in real time. The result is a moving and imaginative experience that reminds us why stories passed down through generations continue to speak to us.

 

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Choose-your-own-reserved-seat tickets are $30 for adults in advance, $35 on the day of the show, and $20 for youth. Tickets are available at camdenoperahouse.com. For more information call 207-236-3154.  

 

Students from the 5-Towns schools get a discount; please contact kbrown@camdenmaine.gov for more information. "The Twelve Wild Geese" is sponsored by Camden Maine Stay Inn and 40 Paper.