As the Montreal Gazette tells us today, this Sunday or next, February 26 and March 5, you can hear the 12th edition of Port Symphonies, Pointe-à-Callière, put on by the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History ^[1]. This is no ordinary symphony since the players include four ships, a tug, one train, strolling drums and other surprising instruments. The piece is entitled 20,000 Sounds Under the Sea and is written by Diane Labrosse. It starts at 1:30 p.m. and the public can hear this unusual symphony free of charge from Place Royale and the streets around Pointe-à-Callière.

This orchestra is so spread out in the Port of Montreal that one of the ships will need to play two to three seconds faster so that the sounds all arrive at the right time for the listeners in Place Royale. The buildings also act as reflectors so you’ll be hearing sounds like no other symphony you’ve ever heard. Can you think of a more intriguing Sunday afternoon pastime?