Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphony Journey is a Phoenix Pops® performance sponsored by APS
Contact:
Rachel Dahl
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
[email protected]
PHOENIX (October 29, 2025) – The Phoenix Symphony is thrilled to present Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey, November 14, 15, and 16, 2025, as part of the Phoenix Pops concert series, led by guest conductor Mélisse Brunet and featuring beloved travel host and author Rick Steves live on stage.
Brunet and the Phoenix Symphony will take audiences on a sweeping musical tour across Europe, performing stirring works by composers Edvard Grieg, Camille Saint-Saëns, Bedřich Smetana, Johann Strauss Jr., Giuseppe Verdi, and others. Steves will draw from his extensive knowledge of European history and culture to help set the context for each piece and bring the music vividly to life.
“It’s long been my dream to weave together music, travel, and history to tell the story of how Romantic-era anthems served as a bugle call on the battlefield of democracy in 19th-century Europe,” said Steves. “It’s a thrill to team up with a great orchestra and a talented conductor, and I can’t wait to join the Phoenix Symphony for this musical adventure.”
Guest conductor Mélisse Brunet brings her dynamic artistry and passion for connecting music across cultures to this program. Under her direction, audiences will be transported through time and across borders, experiencing how symphonic music captures the spirit, triumph, and history of Europe.
Exclusive VIP Experience – A Reception with Rick Steves
Following the performances on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15, a Special VIP Meet & Greet opportunity, A Reception with Rick Steves, is available for purchase. Guests will enjoy an exclusive chance to meet Rick Steves in person and enjoy libations and a light dessert reception as part of this intimate post-concert experience. Availability is extremely limited.
Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey is part of the 2025/26 Phoenix Pops series. The Phoenix Pops Season Sponsor is APS, and this concert is presented with support from Boutique Travel Advisors (BTA).
Boutique Travel Advisors is The Phoenix Symphony’s exclusive travel partner, helping patrons plan culture-first getaways with VIP hotel benefits at no additional cost. When guests book through BTA, a portion of proceeds supports The Phoenix Symphony and its community programs. Audiences are invited to make it a full weekend experience with preferred hotels near Symphony Hall and other Symphony venues. Arrange your travels through BTA. Learn more at Travel BTA.
RICK STEVES
Rick Steves is a popular public television host, a best-selling guidebook author, and an activist who encourages Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel. The founder of Rick Steves’ Europe, a travel company with a small-group tour program that brings more than 30,000 people to Europe annually, Steves taught his first travel class more than 40 years ago. Since then, he’s spent about 100 days a year in Europe, researching guidebooks, fine-tuning his tour program, filming his TV show, and making new discoveries for travelers. When he’s not exploring Europe, Rick enjoys playing piano, relaxing at his cabin in the Cascade mountains, and spending time with his family. He lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington.
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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 deeply engaged in the community thanks to generous foundation, corporate, 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 reach more than 100,000 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. To learn more, please visit phoenixsymphony.org.
