South Florida Symphony Orchestra's 2023/24 Masterworks Season Continues its Journey of Musical Excellence

Highlights Include Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Bernstein, and Stravinsky Plus Orchestra Premieres by Trailblazing Female Composers Florence Price, Ellen Taafe Zwilich and Jessie Montgomery

South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO), led by Sebrina María Alfonso, is proud to continue its journey of musical excellence with its 2023/24 season featuring classical Masterworks concerts and Handel’s glorious holiday masterpiece Messiah. This new season features Brahms, Bernstein, Schubert, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and more, including Symphony premieres by trailblazing female composers Florence Price, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and Jessie Montgomery. SFSO will also host a 200^th anniversary celebration of Beethoven's magnificent Symphony No. 9.

“This season, we aim to excite and delight with some of the world’s most iconic works,” said Alfonso. “Our selections include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, what many consider the greatest piece of music ever written, in celebration of the masterpiece’s 200th anniversary; Brahms’ arousing Symphony No. 1; Bernstein’s ode to New York City, Three Dance Episodes from the hit Broadway musical On the Town; and Stravinsky’s enchanting Firebird Suite.”

Upcoming Concerts Include:

Handel’s Messiah and Holiday Pops

HALLELUJAH! Kick off the holiday season with Handel’s beloved holiday tradition, Messiah. Maestra Sebrina Alfonso leads South Florida Symphony Orchestra, along with dazzling vocal soloists Katherine Henley (soprano), Lisa Marie Rogali (mezzo-soprano), Chauncey Packer (tenor), Neil Nelson (bass baritone), and the South Florida Symphony Chorus. To elevate the festive spirit, the evening also includes new popular selections from The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, favorites like Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer, audience sing-alongs and more.

Sat., December 2, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale

Sun., December 3, 2023, at 4 p.m.: Broad Center for the Performing Arts at Barry University

MASTERWORKS II - BRAHMS | BACH | MONTGOMERY | PRICE

This program highlights two groundbreaking female composers: Florence Price, the first African American composer to have a composition played by a major U.S. orchestra, and Jessie Montgomery, one of today’s most compelling creators. This program also features Brahms’ lyrical Symphony No. 1. Dynamic pianist, Awadagin Pratt, performs Montgomery’s new work for solo piano and string orchestra, along with another SFSO premiere, Bach’s Keyboard Concerto No. 4.

Wed., January 17, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale

Thurs., January 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: Temple Israel of Greater Miami

Sat., January 20, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West

• Brahms: Symphony No. 1
• Montgomery: Rounds (SFSO PREMIERE) featuring Awadagin Pratt, piano
• Bach: Keyboard Concerto No. 4 in A Major (SFSO PREMIERE) featuring Awadagin Pratt, piano
• Price: Andante Moderato for Strings (SFSO PREMIERE)

MASTERWORKS III – BEETHOVEN’S NINTH | GRAND OPERA FINALES

ODE TO JOY! Experience the sheer emotional power of Beethoven’s Ninth plus some of the greatest Opera finales of all time including Carmen, La Boheme and more, featuring spectacular vocal soloists Catalina Cuervo (soprano), Rebecca Ringle Kamarei (mezzo soprano), Adam Diegel (tenor), and Luis Ledesma (bass baritone), along with the South Florida Symphony Chorus.

Fri., March 1, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West

Sun., March 3, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: Broward Center for the Performing Arts

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
• Grand Opera Finales featuring spectacular vocal soloists and the South Florida Symphony Chorus

MASTERWORKS IV – STRAVINSKY | RAVEL | BERNSTEIN | ZWILICH

A stirring elegy on 9/11, the high-octane spirit of 1940s Times Square, a sensuous Spanish tavern, and an epic Russian fairytale come vividly to life in these works by masterful composers.

Mon., March 25, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami

Wed., March 27, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale

Fri., March 29, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West

• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite
• Ravel: Bolero
• Bernstein: “Three Dance Episodes” from On the Town (SFSO PREMIERE)
• Zwilich: Clarinet Concerto (SFSO PREMIERE) featuring David Shifrin, clarinet

MASTERWORKS V – TCHAIKOVSKY | BRUCH

Lush and drenched in drama, Bruch’s verdant Scottish Fantasy and Tchaikovsky’s romantic Symphony No. 5 closes out the season in exhilarating triumph.

Wed., April 17, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale

Thurs., April 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.: Temple Israel of Greater Miami

• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
• Bruch: Scottish Fantasy featuring Huifang Chen, violin

Additional popular music performances including Maestra Alfonso conducting SFSO in a live performance of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone ™ In Concert on April 5 and 6 and Classical Mystery Tour: A Symphonic Tribute to The Beatles on May 11, both at Broward Center for the Performing Arts (separately ticketed events).

Coming off its highly acclaimed 25^th anniversary season, including sold-out shows and a celebrated performance accompanying award-winning alt-rock indie vocalist Natalie Merchant, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continues to inspire audiences of all ages.

The season opened with the highly lauded premiere of the stirring, exotic performance of Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 103, “Egyptian” featuring guest artist Tao Lin on piano and Schubert’s majestic Symphony No. 9, C Major, D. 944, "The Great."

“As we continue our 26th season, I am thrilled to see the incredible growth of this orchestra; our momentum is at an all-time high,” added Jacqueline Lorber, SFSO president and CEO. “Maestra Sebrina's masterful conducting has become even more nuanced and impassioned while our musicians have honed their electrifying synchronicity. With our audiences' incredible enthusiasm and support, our Masterworks concerts have become an exceptional display of fine musicianship and community camaraderie."

Season subscriptions are on sale, now, for the Broward Season at The Parker and Broward Center, the Miami season at New World Center and Temple Israel of Greater Miami, and Key West Season at the Tennessee Williams Theatre. Tickets may be purchased by visiting southfloridasymphony.org/2023-24-season or by calling (954) 522-8445. Subscribers receive a 20% discount off single ticket prices and have access to the best seats in the house. Single-show tickets, including student ticket and group rates plus flexible ticket packages are also available.