Welcome to the Scottsdale Philharmonic’s Rhapsody in Blue & Beyond – A Season-Opening Celebration of Romance, Drama & American Brilliance!

Starting the season with a Sold-Out Concert, performed live on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.

We opened our 2025–2026 season with an exhilarating concert that blended iconic symphonic masterworks, beloved classics, and unforgettable solos. From the sweeping drama of Wagner to the jazzy brilliance of Gershwin, this program highlighted the beauty, power, and excitement of live orchestral music.

PROGRAM NOTES

Prelude – Nicole Pesce, Piano · Dan Reed, Trumpet

The Star-Spangled Banner – John Stafford Smith

Peer Gynt Suites No. 1 & 2 – Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)

— INTERMISSION (15 Minutes) —

“Quando m’en vo’” (La Bohème) – Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924)
🎤 Jennifer Sheldon, Soprano

Piano Medley – Various
🎹 Nicole Pesce, Pianist

Overture to Tannhäuser – Richard Wagner (1813–1883)

Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin (1898–1937)
🎹 Nicole Pesce, Piano Soloist

Featured Performers
Nicole Pesce, Piano Soloist
Nicole’s sparkling artistry and playful creativity captivated the audience in her dazzling performance of Rhapsody in Blue and her signature piano medley.

Jennifer Sheldon, Soprano
Jennifer delivered Puccini’s “Quando m’en vo’” with elegance and heartfelt lyricism, showcasing the beauty of Italian opera.

🎼 Maestro Vanja Gjumar Nikolovski
Under the baton of Maestro Nikolovski, the Scottsdale Philharmonic delivered a powerful and inspiring performance, opening the season with energy, brilliance, and a vision to bring world-class symphonic music to the Valley.

✨ Thank You for Joining Us!
We’re grateful for your support and invite you to enjoy the rest of our 2025–2026 concert season.

Get the BEST price on Season Tickets with this link:
👉 https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-2026-season-tickets

🎟️ Explore upcoming concerts:
👉 www.ScottsdalePhilharmonic.com