“Galileo and His Lute” Podcast-  see recent Journal entry which contains two new songs!

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Certainly I had imagined encounters with Galileo often enough to almost feel his presence in my life, but I never heard the sound of his wonderful singing voice until his alter-ego Mark Thompson serenaded me. Music and humor, like observation and interpretation, helped Galileo make sense of the universe.”

Dava Sobel, world-renowned author of Galileo’s Daughter, Longitude, The Planets, and Letters to Father

“You clearly enjoy what you are doing, you do it well, and give people some personal sense of Galileo and his times that is, I feel, very important - and not just in 2009.”

Christopher J. Corbally, S.J.

Vice Director of the Vatican Observatory for VORG

“One of the best entertainment experiences I have ever had!

Mannie Jackson

Owner, Chairman and CEO of the Harlem Globetrotters

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Galileo 1610 is a living history production; a dramatic, musical and comical odyssey back to the life and times of Galileo Galilei, the famous 17th century Italian scientist and philosopher. In conjunction with The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009), it commemorates the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s discoveries with his telescope in 1609-1610.   See resource page on IYA2009 website.

But what do we know of Galileo, himself? Has he become “calcified into a mere symbol,” as Timothy Ferris once wrote…”like a big house on a hill whose owner is much talked about but seldom seen?”  A recent survey conducted by the Royal Astronomical Society revealed that most people cannot properly identify Galileo’s discoveries.   They’ve even confused him with a winemaker, a fashion designer or a famous ship!!!

Dressed in authentic Renaissance attire as Galileo, Mark A. Thompson—cantorial soloist and amateur astronomer, tells the fascinating story of “The Father of Modern Science,” drawing from the actual correspondence and writings of Galileo, as well as those of his many biographers.

Through his dialogue with the audience on a wide range of discoveries and opinions, ‘Galileo’ shares his wisdom and his life experiences with pathos, wit and humor, lacing his narration with entertaining lute songs from the late Renaissance period, some of which were actually composed by Galileo’s father, Vincenzo.

Bridging the past to the present, Thompson breathes life into ‘Galileo’ as he once again frolics and struggles among us. In bringing forth some of life’s great issues, we learn something about our own inquisitive nature, as well as that of science and music.

Mark A. Thompson has appeared as Galileo for over a decade on radio, at community theatres and libraries, public schools, colleges and universities throughout the country. He has performed for civic organizations, astronomy association conventions, marketing and outreach programs as well as private events and parties.

(See video excerpts of a performance at JPL, Pasadena)

LISTEN TO IYA2009 THEME SONGS:

shoulders_of_giants.mp3

iya2009_theme.mp3

Galileo 1610 is tailored to fit the interest, experience and size of the audience and is suitable for a variety of educational and entertainment programs:

“An excellent presentation with meaningful facts. “Galileo” relates his life to other historical persons of the time. The information is real, not myth passed down. “Galileo” held the students’ interest with his costume, accent, lute playing, hands-on demonstrations and meaningful question and answer sessions. A very valuable and enjoyable experience…. Highly recommended!” Mike Gavin, 7th grade GATE Teacher, McAuliffe M.S. Los Alamitos, CA.