Photo by Blushing Cactus Photography
The Arizona Philharmonic (AZ Phil) opened its fifth season of bringing top-notch classical musical performances to Prescott with the diverse programming of “Dancing from Tonga to Vienna” at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center. Dominick Argento’s entertaining “Royal Invitation: Homage to the Queen of Tonga” was inspired by Queen Sālote of Tonga’s appearance at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Pianist Thomas Pandolfi then joined the orchestra for Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and the night concluded with the most high-spirited of Beethoven symphonies, the joyous Symphony No. 7.
