The Phoenix Symphony’s Preludes series returns for the 2023-2024 season! Preludes
will take place prior to select performances with activities that will be sure to delight the
whole family! Prepare to hear live musical performances, discover new artworks,
explore the dances and traditions of new cultures, and much, much more!

Aída Cuevas “The Queen of Mariachi” Preludes – Begin One Hour Prior to Performance

Get on your feet and dance to the thrilling music of The Harmony Project’s Mariachi Ensemble! Join us for a party in the plaza outside the Orpheum Theatre featuring music and fun!

The Preludes Series is brought to you by

About Aída Cuevas

Aida Cuevas has created one of the most important careers in traditional Mexican music.  With a 46-year career and 41 album releases to her credit, Cuevas, dubbed “The Queen of Mariachi”, is an esteemed figure in Mexico, beloved for her unswerving devotion to traditional mariachi music and for her mastery of its demanding vocal forms.  Cuevas celebrates a long-lasting career with a GRAMMY^® award, a Latin GRAMMY^® award and eleven GRAMMY^® nominations in the “Best Mariachi/Ranchero Album” category.

Cuevas became the first female singer in the mariachi genre to win a GRAMMY^® when she was honored at the 2018 awards for “Best Regional Mexican Music Album” for her recording studio album Arrieros Somos (Versiones Acústicas). The album is a collection of acoustic versions of Mexican classics by renowned composer Cuco Sánchez.  She previously won a Latin GRAMMY^® for “Best Tango Album” for her 2010 release De Corazón a Corazón…Mariachi Tango.

Cuevas’ latest release Antología de la Música Ranchera, Vol. I and Vol. 2, are two recording studio albums which were produced during the pandemic and both albums reached nominations for the GRAMMY^® and Latin GRAMMY^® awards 2020 and 2021.

Cuevas is a master of the mariachi art song performing a full range of mariachi numbers, including the falsetto heavyweight El Pastor, the iconic hits Te Doy Las Gracias and Quizás Mañana, as well as new songs from Totalmente Juan Gabriel Vol. II, including Gracias Por Todo and Buscando el Séptimo Amor. Cuevas also performs many ranchero classics such as Traición a Juan, Toro Relajo, Los Laureles and No Me Amenaces.

Now Aida Cuevas has returned with a new show and a new tour celebrating 45^th Anniversary with special guests and bringing the very best of Mexico’s music with her unique voice and style, allowing her to cultivate a 46-year successful career, leaving a remarkable imprint in the history of Mexican music.

About Jeff Tyzik

GRAMMY Award winner Jeff Tyzik is one of America’s most innovative and sought after pops conductors. Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. Tyzik holds The Dot and Paul Mason Principal Pops Conductor’s Podium at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Seattle Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, the Oregon Symphony and The Florida Orchestra. This season, Tyzik will celebrate his 23rd season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Frequently invited as a guest conductor, Tyzik has appeared with the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, Milwaukee Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. In May 2007, the Harmonia Mundi label released his recording of works by Gershwin with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and the RPO which stayed in the Top 10 on the Billboard classical chart for over three months. Alex Ross of The New Yorker, called it “one of the snappiest Gershwin discs in years”.

Committed to performing music of all genres, Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Megan Hilty, Chris Botti, Matthew Morrison, Wynonna Judd, Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Dawn Upshaw, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Mark O’Connor, Doc Severinsen and John Pizzarelli. He has created numerous original programs that include the greatest music from jazz and classical to Motown, Broadway, film, dance, Latin and swing. Tyzik holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music.