Bear Valley Festival: Pines of Rome

Bear Valley Festival: Pines of Rome invites you to witness an unforgettable concert film where the Bear Valley Festival Orchestra, led by conductor Alexander Mickelthwate, takes you on a breathtaking musical odyssey from the operatic passion of Italy to the cinematic majesty of the American West. The Columbia College Choir joins the orchestra for powerful, evocative works by Ennio Morricone, including the iconic “Once Upon a Time in the West” and “On Earth as it is in Heaven,” before launching into the virtuosic and theatrical Paganini Violin Concerto No. 2, masterfully performed by Yiyang Hou. As the day unfolds, the program crescendos into the grand, radiant symphonic poem “Pines of Rome” by Ottorino Respighi—an orchestral triumph that celebrates triumph and wonder. This film captures every dramatic swell, every brilliant solo, and each soaring choral moment, delivering a cinematic concert experience that feels both intimate and epic. Join us for an evening of musical stories that transcend time and place, and let the strings, brass, and voices weave a tapestry of unforgettable sound.