Flat Earth Society Orchestra, the beloved Belgian 15-piece orchestra, brings incredible energy to the screening of The Oyster Princess (1919), a darkly satirical silent film by celebrated director Ernst Lubitsch. Through a combination of big brass, bass, sax, drums, keyboard, and guitar, Flat Earth Society performs an original live score by composer and band leader Peter Vermeersch, playing perfectly in-sync with the film. As the comedy plays out on screen, it’s impossible to resist the enthusiasm and joy that emanates from the musicians to the audience.
Taking Belgian whimsy to a logical, irresistible extreme, Flat Earth Society Orchestra straddles the border between multi-color surrealism and savvy skill with striking ease. Speaking of borders: Flat Earth Society is the ultimate international ambassador for this peculiar kind of Belgian eccentricity, with memorable performances all over the globe. Since composer, reed player, producer and de facto bandleader Peter Vermeersch founded the orchestra in the late '90s, it has become one of the most productive and thrilling bands of its kind, with an endless list of genre-defying projects, with enterprises delving into film, theatre and opera, and a wide range of albums to its credit.
Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the band is being led by a trained architect, as the gang’s enviable command of form and freedom betrays a thorough knowledge of structural possibilities. Working with sheet music and tight arrangements, as well as alarming amounts of freedom and unpredictability, this 15-headed juggernaut effortlessly switches from one style and temperament to another. Not to prove that it can, but because the possibilities are just too good to ignore. The generosity that is at the heart of Flat Earth Society will satisfy those looking for an XL-shot of adrenaline.
The Oyster Princess, directed by Ernst Lubitsch, tells the story of oyster tycoon Quaker, a man so rich he even has a butler to hold his cigar while he smokes. The one thing left that could possibly impress king Quaker, would be to have his daughter Ossi marry a bona fide prince. He finds a poor prince, prince Nucki, who in turn sends his friend Joseph to get an idea of what Ossi is like.
Laced with satiric humor, we hear the story of the boundless wealth of the American bourgeoisie in the twenties and the snobbish attitude of the impoverished European aristocracy.
In 2019 Flat Earth Society celebrated its 20 year jubilee with the 100th anniversary of The Oyster Princess. After almost 14 years and many international screenings including Museum of Moving Image – New York, Ottawa, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico, and London, the orchestra brings its production to the Lincoln!
Event Venue
712 S 1st St, Mount Vernon, WA, United States, Washington 98273
