TRIO Gala Joins Patrons and Politicians

Ballet Arizona, Arizona Opera & The Phoenix Symphony’s TRIO gala and performance was held Friday, February 8, 2013. This historic inaugural event brought together all three of Arizona’s premiere, largest, and most acclaimed performing arts organizations for an evening of “firsts,” at Symphony Hall, Phoenix. Over 2,000 guests attended the performance and more than 750 continued for dinner and dancing in the ballroom.
The evening began with a cocktail hour and live music. Guests were then seated for the TRIO performance and remarks were made from the stage by each organization’s Board Chair. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who led The Phoenix Symphony in our national anthem, also made a most-personal and proud greeting from the stage. The spectacular one hour performance conducted by Ari Pelto showcased the artistic strengths of each company and featured the ever popular Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” from The Planets, George Balanchine’s Serenade, and “Martern aller Arten,” performed by soprano Lisette Oropesa.
The performance culminated in a breathtaking world-premiere performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with all three organizations on stage at once, a momentous “first.” The mayor of Phoenix, city council-members and generous philanthropists were in attendance.
“The 2013 TRIO Gala was an extraordinary collaborative effort, showcasing the artistic and production strengths of Arizona’s premiere performing arts organizations on stage together for the first time in history,” said Jim Ward, President and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony. “I extend a heartfelt thank you to the TRIO steering committee, the staff, boards of directors, musicians and performers who made this momentous event possible.”
With “performance-only” tickets available, the community turned out to fill Symphony Hall. 750 gala seating patrons dined after the performance and made their way into the lavishly decorated ballroom at the Phoenix Convention Center on a black carpet with the sounds of The Optimystics. Gala guests also enjoyed dancing to music by Affinity and a live auction, which featured unique experiences from each company.
The gala and performance exceeded its financial goal and raising more for each company than each organization raises in a typical annual gala.
“Arizona Opera was overwhelmed by the audience response to the TRIO performance. Sharing the stage with the dynamic Phoenix Symphony and elegant dancers from Ballet Arizona was a valued opportunity. It was our pleasure to host soloists Lisette Oropesa and Dongwon Shin, who received such praise from the audience, for this special evening. Our chorus and quartet of finale singers in town for our Il Trovatore production filled out the finale with exultation….a night to remember and to be repeated!” said Arizona Opera’s general director Scott Altman.
“We were so pleased with the outcome of Trio! Our three groups’ ability to work together to do something on a large-scale that is truly collaborative and innovative demonstrates the benefits of joining forces to make an impact  in our community . It really was a fantastic opportunity to ‘cross pollinate’ audiences/patrons and really broaden the awareness of all our organizations. I am very proud, as I am sure Jim and Scott are as well, that we pulled off an amazing event the first time out of the gate!” said Alison Johnston, Ballet Arizona’s Executive Director.