Former Astronaut to Narrate ‘Planets’

Gordon Cooper, a member of the original team of American astronauts, will join the New West Symphony Sept. 22 and 23 for its season opener, featuring a performance of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets.�

The Mercury 7 astronaut, one of the men featured in the book and movie “The Right Stuff,� will narrate a virtual space voyage featuring film, stills and computer animation of the planets to the accompaniment of Holst’s classic suite.

Cooper, now a Ventura resident, retired from NASA and the Air Force as a colonel in 1970. He has since worked in the aerospace, electronics and energy fields.

The concert, which will also include Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto and “Pomp & Circumstance,� will be performed at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Sept. 22 and at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Sept. 23.

Tickets range from $8 to $67, but special prices are available for seniors and students on the day of performance. Tickets may be purchased at either box office, and through Ticketmaster, or by calling 497-5800.