American postmodern composer Philip Glass, circa 1985. (Leon Morris/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

I can’t say I expected my next Space Music post to revolve around an opera, but here we are. And yes, I mean an honest-to-god opera. Not a pulp-fueled Star Warsian “space opera” and not even a science fiction opera like the L.A. Opera’s adaptation of “The Fly.” We’re talking ladies in Viking helmets, “Der Ring des Nibelungen” and all that jazz*.

Yes, according to the New York Times, the latest opera from living musical legend Philip Glass centers on the life of noted 16th century astronomer Johannes Kepler. The opera’s title? “Kepler.” What a minimalist, eh?

Heralded as the father of celestial mechanics, Kepler is the guy who proved planetary orbits were elliptical and that orbiting objects travel faster the closer they get to the sun. He even has a supernova named for him.  In short, Kepler’s Laws played a crucial role in the advancement of astronomy. NASA even named an exo-planet hunting satellite for him.

This marks the second time Glass has chosen to explore the life of a noted astronomer. His 2002 work “Galileo Galilei” sounds like a true tour-de-force, opening with the title character elderly, blind and broken by the Inquisition. The work, according to Glass’ website, “explores his religiosity as well as his break with the church, and expands into the greater, oscillating relationship of science to both religion and art.” The opera ends with Galileo as a baby. Think “Benjamin Button,” except with a relatable main character.

New York Times music critic Allan Kozinn points out the “Kepler” doesn’t venture into thematic territory quite as deep and brooding. Instead, it’s more about Kepler’s views on his own character flaws and how he irked most of his colleges, which just sounds like a Wood Allen movie. Kozinn at least says that, while “exceedingly nondramatic,” the music is as brilliant as you’d expect from an artist the caliber of Philip Glass.

If you’re planning to be in Linz, Austria any time over the next two weeks, you might get a chance to see “Kepler” for yourself. For the rest of you, check out some scenes from the opera in this video clip.

Thanks to my lovely wife Bonnie for bringing this story to my attention!

* But no actual jazz.

Need more space music? You’ll find it all right here.