Arizona Philharmonic presents Singing from the Heart: Arias, Lieder, and Romantic Strings, an intimate Valentine’s weekend concert celebrating love in all its forms—longing, devotion, joy, and courtship.

This special afternoon features soprano Ariana Iniguez joined by the Arizona Philharmonic String Quartet, led by guest artist Steven Moeckel, former Concertmaster of the Phoenix Symphony, appearing for the first time with AZ Phil. Together, they explore the expressive pairing of voice and strings through beloved arias, art songs, and chamber works.

The program includes favorites such as Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro,” Bizet’s “Habanera” from Carmen, and “Somewhere” from West Side Story, alongside romantic string works by Mendelssohn, Dvořák, and former Prescottonian Mathew Lanning, whose music reflects the joy and rhythm of social courtship.

In honor of Black History Month, the concert also highlights art songs by Harry T. Burleigh, featuring selections from his 1915 song cycle Passionale, set to poetry by James Weldon Johnson—an important contribution to the American art song tradition.

This concert also launches a Mendelssohn focus across the season, beginning with his youthful String Quartet in A Minor and continuing at the March concert with the Piano Trio in C Minor.