Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra

05/26/2026

Opera returns to the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra next season with a fully staged production of Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus in spring 2027. As we prepare to bring this beloved operetta to Tucson audiences, we’re looking back at one of the operatic highlights of our 2025/26 season.

The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra joined forces with Passion Project: Opera! to present Puccini’s Suor Angelicaand Debussy’s L’Enfant Prodigue, bringing powerful operatic storytelling to intimate venues across Tucson. Our performance at provided the perfect setting for these deeply emotional works.

As we prepare for our 2026/27 season, we are excited to continue bringing adventurous programming, world-class artists, and meaningful musical experiences to our community.

Season tickets are now available at link in bio or at sasomusic.org.

05/26/2026

🎭✨ ¿Qué es FLISPA?

Es el espacio donde el talento, la formación y la experiencia escénica se encuentran en una gran oportunidad internacional.

La Fundación Prolírica de Antioquia y la Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra anuncian con entusiasmo la segunda edición del Festival Lírico Internacional SASO Prolírica de Antioquia, una apuesta por el crecimiento artístico de cantantes que sueñan con llevar su voz a nuevos escenarios.

Dentro del marco de este festival se presentará la ópera La Cenerentola (La Cenicienta), y los artistas que se inscribieron y fueron seleccionados harán parte de esta gran producción como solistas, viviendo una experiencia de alto nivel artístico y escénico.

📅 Funciones: 13 y 14 de agosto
Una oportunidad para descubrir cómo el festival se convierte en escenario, formación y proyección real para nuevos talentos líricos.

LaCenicienta ÓperaEnMedellín CantoLírico

05/13/2026

A recap of the inaugural Salon Series hosted at Catalyst Creative Collective in partnership with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra and Tucson Youth Mus...

05/13/2026

What happens when young musicians get up close with orchestral percussion at the Tucson Mall? A lot of curiosity, creativity, and smiles! The inaugural Salon Series at Catalyst Creative Collective brought together Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra Principal Timpanist Russell Turner and students from Tucson Youth Music for an interactive evening exploring the world of orchestral percussion. From technique and performance insights to hands-on learning moments, students had the opportunity to connect directly with the music.

Founded in 1979, the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO) is a community orchestra dedicated to inspiring audiences and artists through accessible and dynamic classical music experiences across Southern Arizona. Tucson Youth Music is a nonprofit organization providing free music education opportunities to underserved youth, helping students build confidence, creativity, and lifelong connections to music through mentorship and performance.

The Salon Series is all about connection, mentorship, and creating opportunities for artists and young creatives to learn from one another through shared experiences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RknPTKY3d6Y

Tucson Mall

A recap of the inaugural Salon Series hosted at Catalyst Creative Collective in partnership with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra and Tucson Youth Mus...

05/12/2026

¡Esto será increíble!

The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra is deeply honored to be part of an exciting international collaboration with Prolírica de Antioquia and the FLISPA Festival in Medellín, Colombia.

This August, Maestro Linus Lerner will lead a production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola as part of the 2nd Festival Lírico Internacional SASO – Prolírica de Antioquia, bringing together artists and organizations in celebration of opera and cultural exchange across borders.

SASO is proud to support the arts on an international stage and looks forward to sending members of our organization to Medellín to support this wonderful production and collaboration.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to help build artistic connections that extend far beyond Southern Arizona, and we can’t wait to see this exciting project come to life.

05/09/2026

Season tickets are on sale for an unforgettable new season.

The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra invites you to experience Symphonic Kaleidoscope—a vibrant journey filled with extraordinary artists, powerful repertoire, and captivating moments across every concert cycle.

We open with a burst of vocal brilliance as sopranista Maayan Licht—named “Best Newcomer” at the Oper! Awards 2025—takes the stage in a dazzling program of virtuosic arias, alongside sparkling orchestral works and Morton Gould’s American Salute.

In our first concert of 2027, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with acclaimed violinist Oscar Bohórquez meets the vibrant energy of George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein, including selections from West Side Story.

Later in the season, our newly formed SASO Chorus joins us for a luminous program featuring Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna—a moment of radiant beauty you won’t want to miss.

And these are just a few of the remarkable moments to come.

Join a growing community experiencing world-class, international talent right here in Southern Arizona—and be part of the full journey from the very first note.

Tickets available at link in bio or at sasomusic.org

04/30/2026

Maestro Linus Lerner continues to bring music across borders.

As part of the Rio Grande do Norte Symphony Orchestra’s 50th anniversary celebration in Brazil, Maestro Lerner recently led The Magic of Italian Opera—a program featuring beloved excerpts from Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, and more, alongside internationally acclaimed vocalists Vittorio Scarpi (Brazil) and Laura Fortino (Italy). The performance was part of the Sipario project, an initiative promoting cultural exchange through opera across Brazil.

Next, Maestro Lerner travels to Italy for the Festival di Maggio – Suono Italiano, where he will take the podium for a program celebrating the richness of Italian musical tradition, featuring works by Boccherini, Rossini, Verdi, Donizetti, and Rota.

We’re proud to see SASO’s Music Director sharing his artistry on the international stage—and bringing that global perspective back to Southern Arizona.

04/28/2026

Another great music week for our Maestro Linus Lerner!

Wishing a big in Bocca al Lupo to MAESTRO LINUS LERNER for his upcoming concert in Italy on May 3, 2026 with a beautiful musical voyage with music by Boccherini,Rossini,,Verdi,
Donizetti and Rota. With GIULIANO DE ANGELIS and SEUNGHWAN SONG.

Bravi tutti!