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First Time a Hispanic Woman to Conduct the Phoenix Symphony’s Classics Series Opening
Opening Weekend is October 4 – 6 at Symphony Hall
PHOENIX (September 5, 2024) – The Phoenix Symphony’s 2024/25 season opens Oct. 4 with a bang and a blast-off as Colombian-American conductor Lina Gonzalez-Granados leads Gustav Holst’s most famous work, The Planets.
Stunning, high-definition critically acclaimed film will be projected above the Phoenix Symphony, including awe-inspiring images of the featured planet, space visualizations from NASA and the European Space Agency and historical illustrations created by José Francisco Salgado, PhD. The Women of the Phoenix Symphony Chorus will sing offstage to create a beautiful, ethereal sound as chorus master Dr. Thomas Bookhout leads.
“The Planets will open the 2024/25 season with incredible energy and eye-grabbing imagery for a breathtaking experience,” said Peter Kjome, Phoenix Symphony President and CEO. “It’s an exciting time for Phoenix and Arizona as your Phoenix Symphony searches for the next Virginia G. Piper Music director. Join us this season and enjoy majestic concerts and high-quality programming.”
Grammy Award-winning composer Christopher Theofanidis’ Drum Circles features the visually captivating The Percussion Collective. In this piece, four members of The Percussion Collective along with the orchestra’s own percussion section surround the orchestra in a circle, creating an extraordinary spatial and theatrical effect. The Symphony Hall stage will be filled with a cornucopia of percussion instruments, even a typewriter and toy bells.
The concerts: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 and 2 p.m. Oct. 6.
Arrive one hour prior to the performance for SRP’s pre-performance, “Preludes,” in the lobby featuring guest presenter José Francisco Salgado, PhD, creator of the film, “Gustav Holst’s The Planets.” The Phoenix Symphony has also partnered with local museum “Earth & Space Expedition Center” to feature their inflatable planets in Symphony Hall lobby.
In a long-standing tradition, Opening Night begins with a special cocktail reception for Phoenix Symphony donors and special guests. Visit phoenixsymphony.org/donate to learn more.
A wide variety of subscription packages are available including Full and Half Classical, Phoenix Pops subscriptions, Family Series and Chamber Orchestra Series in response to popular demand. Buy four performances and receive 20% off the single ticket price. Tickets are available on the Phoenix Symphony’s website.
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About The Phoenix Symphony
The Phoenix Symphony is Arizona’s largest performing arts organization and one of the state’s most important cultural assets. In addition to performing traditional and modern repertoire in Symphony Hall and around the Valley, its world-class musicians are actively engaged in the community thanks to generous foundation, corporation, and individual support. The Symphony is strengthened by collaborating with renowned guest conductors and artists. The core mission of The Phoenix Symphony is to provide extraordinary musical experiences that inspire and advance our community, enriching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds. Annually, orchestra members empower more than 125,000 students through education and partnerships and create opportunities for deeper connection for tens of thousands of adults experiencing homelessness, in Alzheimer’s care facilities, in hospitals and in hospice. Overall, Phoenix Symphony musicians traveled more than 14,000 miles across Arizona in 2023 to volunteer in Community Engagement and Education activities.
To learn more, please visit phoenixsymphony.org.
