Florida Orchestra announces ‘re-imagined’ January schedule

After stepping away from the podium for much of the holiday season, music director Michael Francis is back in action, conducting The Florida Orchestra – in several smaller, spaced-apart stage incarnations – for “Phase 2” of the organization’s “re-imagined” (their word of choice), re-configured season.

Since October, when TFO returned to the Mahaffey Theater stage, there have been 27 performances for socially-distanced audiences (25 percent of the venue’s capacity). The concerts are, by necessity, shorter than usual, with no intermission. And for those who aren’t comfortable returning to the theater yet, the orchestra will continue to livestream several of the performances for safer-at-home watching.

Tickets are available here for all performances.

The schedule

Jan. 9 (2 and 8 p.m.), Jan. 10 (2 p.m.) Masterworks: Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5, and Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, featuring TFO players Nancy Chang and Sarah Shellman. Plus Bach’s Fuga (No. 2 Ricercata) from “The Musical Offering.”

Jan. 9 (5 p.m.), Jan. 10 (5 p.m.) Soundwaves: “A Noble Pairing” includes Jean Baptiste Lully’s Suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, and Richard Strauss’ Le Bourgeois Gentilhommedes.

Jan. 14 (11 a.m.) Coffee Concert: New Year’s in Vienna, a waltz-centric morning show with Johann Strauss Jr.’s Blue Danube, Champagne Polka, Overture to Die Fledermaus and more.

Jan. 16 (2 and 8 p.m.) Pops: New Year’s in Vienna (see above).

Jan. 23 (2 and 8 p.m.), Jan. 24 (2 p.m.) Masterworks: Rachmaninoff on Paganini. Jessie Montgomery’s “Starburst”; Artist Geoff Strik provides the visuals for Ravel’s Mother Goose Ballet; and piano soloist Natasha Paremski joins TFO for Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Jan. 30 (2 and 8 p.m.), Jan. 31 (2 p.m.) Masterworks: Beethoven’s birthday celebration continues with Symphony No. 4; pianist Paremski returns for Ravel’s Piano Concerto.

Jan. 30 (5 p.m.), Jan. 31 (5 p.m.) Masterworks: The Intimate Mahler. Joined by soprano Madison Leonard, TFO delivers Mahler’s Symphony No. 4.