The Florida Orchestra, headquartered right here at home, is one of the state’s premier musical experiences. Their huge fall lineup officially begins this weekend, bringing an incredible run of concerts to St. Pete, Tampa and Clearwater throughout the season.
TFO’s annual fall season is one of the most highly anticipated arts experiences in the region. The action begins this weekend with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, a musical and high energy celebration of the spirit of America 250. Two performances of the show are taking place, both in St. Pete at The Mahaffey Theater, on Friday, October 2 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 4 at 2 pm.
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The concert features a powerhouse lineup, with The Florida Orchestra and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay delivering music that moves from master composers Rossini (Overture to William Tell), Christopher Theofanidis (The Gift), Beethoven (Wellington’s Victory), and the grand finale with Tchaikovsky’s iconic 1812 Overture. The patriotic show is being billed as one of TFO’s most exhilarating concerts yet.
“Cannons roar. Drums thunder,” TFO teases. “For Opening Weekend, Michael Francis is not holding back – setting the tone for a season of bold, high-voltage music. We’re off and running with Rossini’s galloping William Tell Overture. Take a moment to catch your breath with the quiet intensity of Christopher Theofanidis’ The Gift, featuring tenor Sean Panikkar. Then, hold on tight for a full blast of musical firepower as Beethoven’s Wellington’s Victory meets Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, featuring the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay like you’ve never heard them before. A concert of pure exhilaration from start to finish.”
As always, kids and teens ages 5-18 get in free (with a paying adult) to all Masterworks concerts with Classical Kids tickets.
Opening Weekend is just the start of a fall filled with great concert experiences. The lineup for The Florida Orchestra brings an incredible array of shows to the area, with each standing out on its own for sound, composition and delivery.
As your fall calendar fills up, you’ll want to add these dates to your must-see list.
Revolution: The Music of The Beatles, A Symphonic Experience
Fri 10/9 at Straz Center, and Saturday 10/10 at Mahaffey Theater
It’s a ticket to ride through the history of The Beatles as told through Grammy winner Jeff Tyzik’s arrangements – based on the original Abbey Road recordings. Featuring hundreds of rare photos from the Beatles Book Photo Library and stunning video along with top vocalists singing hits like Penny Lane, Get Back, Here Comes the Sun and Hey Jude.
Scheherazade
Fri 10/16 at Ruth Eckerd Hall, and Sat 10/17 at Mahaffey Theater
Courage wears many faces. In Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, a quick-thinking heroine stays alive night after night by spinning stories of the Arabian Nights, and you can hear her voice in the violin — pulling you into the adventures of Sinbad the Sailor, Aladdin and more.
Ginastera’s Harp Concerto
Fri 11/6 at Straz Center; Sat 11/7 at Mahaffey; and Sun 11/8 at Ruth Eckerd Hall
Led by the electrifying Carlos Miguel Prieto, this program dives into bold, vibrant sounds from across the Latin world. TFO’s Anna Kate Mackle takes the harp to thrilling new heights.
The Blue Danube & Beyond
Fri 11/20 at Zinober Hall (USF Tampa), and Sat 11/21 at Mahaffey Theater
Indulge in the true charm of Vienna, where the waltz meets a dash of whimsy – from the pulsing lilt of The Blue Danube to the elegance of Der Rosenkavalier Opera Suite. A sassy cello concerto sparkles with a gleeful, modern twist.
