South Florida’s premier chamber orchestra, The Symphonia, is launching its 20th Anniversary Season with an all-star lineup. Under the artistic direction of Principal Conductor Alastair Willis, The Symphonia presents a five-concert season featuring both Florida fan favorites and internationally renowned masters.
Joining Willis on the podium are Florida’s legendary conductor James Judd and the acclaimed Carolyn Kuan as guest conductor. The season’s soloists include Andrés Cárdenes (violin), Jason Vieaux (guitar), Gabriel Beavers (bassoon) and Tim Brumfield (organ).
New this year, The Symphonia will introduce the “Holiday Pops” concert, presented by the City of Boca Raton, featuring esteemed conductor Jacomo Bairos and the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Chorus, at the Mizner Park Amphitheater.
Two exciting venues debut this season: The newly renovated St. Gregory’s Episcopal in East Boca Raton and The Studio at Mizner Park.
“Our 20th anniversary season is going to be nothing short of monumental,” says Sheldon Kwiat, The Symphonia’s board president. “With the incredible lineup of guest artists, the debut of a gorgeous new venue, and the fine-tuned talent of our seasoned musicians, we cannot wait for our audience to see what’s in store.”
The 20th Anniversary Concert Season schedule includes:
Concert I
When: Nov. 17 at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Roberts Theater at St. Andrew’s School
Program: James M. Stephenson’s Celebration Overture, Henri Vieuxtemps’ Violin Concerto No. 5 and Igor Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella Suite.”
Holiday Pops Concert
When: Dec. 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Mizner Park Amphitheater
Program: Conductor Jacomo Bairos with The Symphonia and the FAU Chorus.
Concert II
When: Jan. 12 at 3:00 p.m.
Where: St. Gregory’s Episcopal
Program: Richard Danielpour’s Souvenirs, Samuel Zyman’s Concerto for Guitar & String Orchestra and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.
Concert III
When: Feb. 9 at 3:00 p.m.
Where: St. Gregory’s Episcopal
Program: Zoltán Kodály’s “Dances of Galanta,” Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Bassoon Concerto and Mozart Symphony No. 38 “Prague”
Concert IV: Neighboring Bach
When: March 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Studio at Mizner Park
Program: The Symphonia’s Principal Conductor Alastair Willis’ “New Directions: Neighboring Bach.”
Concert V
When: April 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Studio at Mizner Park
Program: Gustav Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite, Jessie Montgomery’s “Strum,” Jacobsen Colin & Aghaei Siamak “Ascending Bird” and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.
For tickets and more information, visit thesymphonia.org.
Photo courtesy of The Buzz Agency