“I walked on to the stage and the audience rose to its feet,” said Alexander Rahbari, the principal conductor. “I’ve performed for 40 years outside Iran and never seen a standing ovation before the performance. This was something totally different. It showed what having the orchestra back meant to them. I was close to tears.”

The photos were taken during rehearsals at Vahdat Hall, Tehran, before performing for the first time after three years.

Related article:

The Guardian | Tehran’s reborn symphony orchestra: an ovation before playing a note

Sources: Honaronline | Photos, musicboard.ir | News (in Persian)