Left Coast Chamber Ensemble Presents: A Soldier’s Tale & Steam

What happens when Stravinsky’s biting wartime fable collides with a world premiere inspired by Black resistance, labor, and contemporary social unrest? A Soldier’s Tale & Steam is a bold, theatrical double bill that fuses music, storytelling, film, and political reflection into one electrifying evening. Performed at San Francisco’s Ruth Williams Opera House, the program pairs Igor Stravinsky’s jazz-inflected A Soldier’s Tale—written during the 1918 flu pandemic—with the world premiere of David Dominique’s Steam, inspired by Arna Bontemps’ novel Black Thunder and brought vividly to life through live performance and cinematography by Kevin Everson.

Anchoring both works is the magnetic presence of guest artist Omari Tau, whose theatrical brilliance ties together an ensemble of outstanding musicians under conductor Matilda Hofman. Blending chamber music, spoken word, cinematic imagery, and urgent social themes, this is a performance that feels fiercely contemporary while drawing unexpected lines across history. And through Groupmuse Nights Out, tickets that normally cost around $40 are available for just $10 and up—a major discount for a one-of-a-kind live arts experience that’s immersive, provocative, and unlike anything else on the concert calendar. 🎭🎶

Children 8 and up are welcomed.

Check out LCCE's website here.

What's the music?

Attendees

Robert B.