Last year, Phoenix’s three marquee performing-arts companies — the Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona — merged their annual fundraising galas. But the result was more than just a swanky soiree for folks who can afford to write big checks. Putting all three groups onstage at Symphony Hall was also an opportunity for arts aficionados to experience artistic collaborations unlikely to be seen again. Here are three reasons to attend this year’s performance:
1 “West Side Story” like you haven’t heard it — Leonard Bernstein’s compositional masterpiece has always transcended the musical-theater genre, and that’s just what will happen again when Arizona Opera’s resident artists apply their “legit” vocal skills to numbers such as “I Feel Pretty,” “America” and “Tonight.”
2 “Carmen” like you haven’t seen it — The evening’s finale will be a suite from Bizet’s perennially popular opera featuring original choreography by Ballet Arizona’s acclaimed artistic director (and Balanchine protege) Ib Andersen.
3 The heart of a dancer — Reprising a performance from a private event last year, Ballet Arizona company member Tzu-Chia Huang shares her choreographic vision in “Between,” a duet she performs with ballet master Joseph Cavanaugh that is set to music from John Williams’ “Schindler’s List” soundtrack. The Phoenix Symphony’s talented concertmaster, Steven Moeckel, offers accompaniment on violin.
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‘Trio’
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. Where: Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. Admission: $50-$99 performance only (call for gala details). Details: 602-495-1999, phoenixsymphony.org.
