“The Final Frontier” propels our American Adventures season beyond earthly borders, charting a course through music inspired by the boundless pull of the stars. The journey ignites with Strauss’ iconic opening of Also Sprach Zarathustra,” instantly recognizable from the infamous opening of 2001: A Space Odyssey, before soaring into John Williams’ cinematic worlds, from the wonder of E.T. and Star Wars to the triumphant theme from Superman. James Horner’s Apollo 13 selections and Holst’s relentless “Mars” conjure both the peril and majesty of space exploration. Broadway anthems like “The Impossible Dream” and “Bring Him Home” will be brought to life by vocalist Devin DeSantis, alongside nostalgic favorites from Star Trek, The Flintstones, and The Jetsons, rounding out an evening that blends spectacle, adventure, and heartfelt aspiration—reminding us that the spirit of exploration lives as much within us as it does among the stars.

This year’s Fourth of July Spectacular commemorates our nation’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th anniversaries with A Star-Spangled 250, led by the one conductor uniquely suited to bring the scale, spirit, and celebration of this moment to life—Carl Topilow.