Legendary flutist James Galway returns to Phoenix for the first time in over a decade

Legendary flutist James Galway returns to Phoenix for the first time in over a decade

(PHOENIX) - Legendary flutist James Galway returns to Phoenix for the first time in over a decade, for a special performance and start to The Phoenix Symphony's 2006-07 Season on September 9, 2006. The Saturday evening concert kicks off Michael Christie's second season as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director and features The Phoenix Symphony performing beloved works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Bizet.

As the most televised and recorded classical artist performing today, Sir James Galway is a modern music master whose virtuosity is equaled only by his limitless ambitions and vision. Through his extensive touring, over 30 million albums sold and his frequent international television appearances, he has endeared himself to millions worldwide.

Special guest, flutist Lady Jeanne Galway makes her Phoenix Symphony debut joining her husband onstage to perform a special duet arrangement of Mozart melodies entitled The Magic Flutes by David Overton. The concert also features Beethoven's Fidelio and Leonore Overtures No. 2 and No. 3 along with Bizet's Carmen Fantasy, featuring Sir Galway. Sir Galway also performs Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 2.

Tickets for The Phoenix Symphony's Opening Night concert go on sale to the general public Monday, July 31. Saturday's concert begins at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall, in downtown Phoenix. Tickets are priced at $30, $40, $50, $60, $80, and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Phoenix Symphony Box Office at 602-495-1999 or by visiting the Symphony's web site at www.phoenixsymphony.org.

Tickets for the remainder of the 2006-07 Season, including 16 weeks of Classics, 8 weeks of Pops, 5 Family Concerts, and several weeks of concerts around the Valley, including Mesa and Scottsdale, go on sale August 28.

About The Phoenix Symphony: Founded in 1947, The Phoenix Symphony proudly serves the citizens of Phoenix and the surrounding metropolitan area, Arizona, and the southwestern United States. What began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts each year (in a city of fewer than 100,000 people) today serves more than 300,000 people annually, with 275 concerts and presentations throughout the greater Phoenix area and beyond.

Under the artistic leadership of Michael Christie as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director and administrative leadership of President Maryellen H. Gleason, the orchestra is overseen by the non-profit Phoenix Symphony Association under Board Chairman Gerald W. Murphy.

The 75-member Phoenix Symphony presents an annual season from September through the beginning of June, featuring full-length classical and pops concerts at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix, in Scottsdale, in Prescott, and throughout central Arizona. The Symphony performs for more than 50,000 students and children (representing over 260 different schools), helping to introduce music to new generations through a variety of education and youth-engagement programs.

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Opening Night Special Event Concert
September 9 - Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m..
at Symphony Hall

THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY
Michael Christie, conductor
Sir James Galway, flute
Lady Jeanne Galway, flute

JAMES GALWAY
He is one of the most beloved musicians of our day, known the
world over as "The Man With the Golden Flute." Be there as
Sir James Galway joins Music Director Michael Christie and
The Phoenix Symphony for an Opening Night celebration with
music of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bizet - and with a special
appearance by Lady Jeanne Galway!

TICKETS: $30, $40, $50, $60, $80, $100

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The Phoenix Symphony's 2007-08 Media Sponsors are The Arizona Republic and KAET.