Out of the Pit: Post Concert Thoughts

Michael Sullivan

Nine members of the Arizona Opera Orchestra were joined by 4 guest players, as well as conducting intern Jackson Warren and the voice of the Arizona Opera broadcasts- radio personality Michael Dixon, for a concert on the Arts Alive! Series at Orangewood Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 26.

The program included Opera Snatches for Solo Trumpet by Schuman, Melodie for bassoon and piano by Gluck, Duo in D Major for Two Violins by Viotti, Duet with Two Eyeglasses Obbligato by Beethoven, and L’Histoire du Soldat by Stravinsky.

The program was a benefit for the American Cancer Society, in tribute to the orchestra’s former second clarinetist, Michael Sullivan who died from a rare form of cancer.

Audience members and performers participated in creating a “Memory Mobile” and raised over $600.

From Music Director Joel Revzen:

“I’m so very proud of the Arizona Opera Orchestra, not only for the artistic contributions it makes for our opera productions, but also for it’s “social conscience”. Michael Sullivan was a beloved member of this orchestra and he is sorely missed”. Too many valued artists are taken from us by cancer when they have so much to give to our society. This concert is an effort by our musicians to quicken the race for a cure, and deserves to be fully supported by us all”.