Francis, Florida Orchestra set a ‘normal’ concert season, to start in September
Michael Francis is on the phone, talking about The Florida Orchestra’s most recent big score: Eighty concerts since October, for 80 live audiences, in a safe and socially-distanced environment.
“Obviously, nobody wanted this terrible pandemic, but once it happened all we could do was make the best of it,” the erudite musical director, conductor and public face of the organization says. “And from what we can see, I think we’ve made the best of it of any orchestra in North America – and possibly even the world.”
When the “small orchestra, small concerts” idea was first proposed, Francis adds, it took a “complete buy-in” from everyone in the TFO family, including the musicians … and the audience. “It takes a huge coming together of people to make something work, which is not easy. It’s easier to shut down. But we really feel the value and necessity of our art form, and why it’s so important to people right now.”
With just a few more performances left in this strictly-limited, Mahaffey Theater-only season, Francis is turning his attention ahead to the fall, when TFO will return to full concerts, with full orchestral complements of musicians playing to unrestricted houses at all three of the usual TFO venues.
Following CDC and state guidelines, all of which point to vaccination saturation and no more need for masks by September, “We’re opening big,” Francis announces.
For the first Masterworks concert, Sept. 24-26, Francis has programmed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and a newly-commissioned work from composer Michael Ippolito.
“When we’re in a season like we have been, with the pandemic, it feels like the ice will never melt in Narnia,” he explains. “But then, of course it does. Winter does pass, and we head into this spring, and this positivity. And so having Four Seasons is having a good reminder of the historical cycle of all the things that we go thorough, good and bad.
“And then Beethoven Five takes all that is dark and seemingly ominous, and then through perseverance, courage and – a word I’ve never used before – nevergiveup-ability – at the end of that symphony, what began as darkness turns to light. And then it becomes the theme of hope.”
There is a sort of “greatest classical hits” them to the new season, Francis admits.
“What we really thought about was, what do people want in coming back to sort of normality? I really wanted to get the big blockbusters in, the pieces that everybody really thinks about.
“And at the same time also make sure that we’re programming in a way that works within our approach – that is, reflecting our community.”
Season tickets are now on sale.
Tampa Bay Times Masterworks Series
Each ticket includes a free Pre-concert Conversation with musicians and conductors that takes a deep dive into the stories behind the music, starting one hour before the performance.
Beethoven’s Fifth
With Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Michael Francis, conductor
Jeffrey Multer, violin
With Michael Ippolito: New commission
Fri, Sept 24, 8 pm, Straz Center, Morsani
Sat, Sept 25, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Sept 26, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Thierry Caens: Contrasts (Trombone Concerto)
Andrew Sewell, conductor
Joël Vaisse, trombone
Sat, Oct 23, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Oct 24, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater — Matinee
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
John Williams: Escapades (From Catch Me If You Can)
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances
Michael Francis, conductor
Stefan Jackiw, violin
Joseph Beverly, saxophone
John Shaw, vibraphone
Sat, Nov 6, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Nov 7, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2
Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition
Vladimir Kulenovic, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Lera Auerbach: Icarus
Sat, Nov 13, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Nov 14, 2 pm, Straz Center, Morsani – Matinee
Mahler’s Symphony No. 5
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23
Michael Francis, conductor
Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
Sat, Dec 4, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Dec 5, 2 pm, Straz Center, Morsani – Matinee
Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet
Gershwin: Concerto in F
Akiko Fujimoto, conductor
Sara Davis Buechner, piano
Polina Nazaykinskaya: Winter Bells
Prokofiev: Suite from Romeo and Juliet
Sat, Jan 8, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Jan 9, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Brahms: Violin Concerto
Gabriela Lena Frank: APU: Tone Poem for Orchestra
Debussy: La Mer
Karen Gomyo Plays Brahms
Larry Rachleff, conductor
Karen Gomyo, violin
Sat, Jan 22, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Jan 23, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9
Michael Francis, conductor
The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay
Brett Karlin, artistic director
Fri, Jan 28, 8 pm, Straz Center, Morsani
Sat, Jan 29, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Jan 30, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete)
Michael Francis, conductor
Conrad Tao, piano
Sat, Feb 19, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Feb 20, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Time for Three/The Intersection of Americana, pop and classical
Kevin Puts: Triple Concerto for Time for Three & Orchestra
Gabriela Lena Frank: Three Latin-American Dances
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Daniel Black, conductor
Time for Three, soloists
Sat, Mar 26, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Mar 27, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater — Matinee
Milos Plays Concierto de Aranjuez
Rodion Shchedrin: Carmen Suite (after Bizet)
Joaquin Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez
Michael Francis, conductor
Milos, guitar
Fri, Apr 1, 8 pm, Straz Center, Ferguson
Sat, Apr 2, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Apr 3, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Mozart’s Requiem
Michael Francis, conductor
The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay
Brett Karlin, artistic director
Hildegard von Bingen: O virtus sapientiae
Mindaugas Urbaitis: Lacrimosa
Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem
Allegri: Miserere Mei, Deus
Mozart: Requiem
Fri, May 13, 8 pm, Straz Center, Morsani
Sat, May 14, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, May 15, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5
Michael Francis, conductor
Benjamin Grosvenor, piano
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
Sat, May 21, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, May 22, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Raymond James Pops Series
Featuring the best of Broadway, movie and popular music
Latin Fire
Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor
José Sibaja, trumpet
Mónica Abrego, vocalist
TFO celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with high-octane Latin American orchestral hits, featuring trumpet fireworks by Jose Sibaja, who has recorded with Ricky Martin and more. Featuring music from Astor Piazzolla, Arturo Marquez, Georges Bizet and many more.
Sat, Oct 9, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sat, Oct 9, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Oct 10, 2 pm, Straz Center, Morsani – Matinee
Fly Dance Company: Breakin’ Classical
Stuart Malina, conductor
The ultimate collaboration of street dance and live orchestra. The Gentlemen of Hip-Hop give street cred to Stravinsky and let it fly to Vivaldi in a colorful, theatrical experience filled with thrilling live music and jaw-dropping dance moves. For more on Fly Dance Company, click here.
Sat, Oct 30, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater – Matinee
Sat, Oct 30, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Holiday Pops
Bob Bernhardt, conductor
Lumina Youth Choirs
We’ve got all of Santa’s favorites – Sleigh Ride! – and more at our most popular concert of the year. When you’re longing for holiday classics, there’s no place like The Florida Orchestra for the whole family.
Fri, Dec 10, 8 pm, Straz Center, Ferguson
Sat, Dec 11, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater – Matinee
Sat, Dec 11, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Dec 12, 2 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall – Matinee
Sun, Dec 12, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
The Wild West
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JAMES MUSEUM
Daniel Black, conductor
Music and images that evoke the spirit, landscape and history of the Wild West, including music from Copland’s Rodeo and more. Presented in partnership with The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art.
Fri, Jan 14, 8 pm, Straz Center, Ferguson
Sat, Jan 15, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Music of Star Wars
Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor
The power of The Force is in the music. Take a journey through the most popular and critically acclaimed themes from every film in the saga, composed by the Jedi master of movie music, John Williams.
Fri, Feb 25, 8 pm, Straz Center, Morsani
Sat, Feb 26, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater – Matinee
Sat, Feb 26, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Feb 27, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
The Paul Simon Songbook
Stuart Malina, conductor
Daniel Berryman, vocalist
Emily Drennan, vocalist
Paul Loren, vocalist
An evening of music from the legendary Paul Simon explores his unique artistry as a songwriter from his years with Simon and Garfunkel through his solo albums Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints. Songs include Bridge Over Troubled Water, Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard, The Sound of Silence, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints.
Sun, Mar 13, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
America’s Wonders
A 3D CINEMATIC & MUSICAL CELEBRATION
Daniel Black, conductor
Take off on an epic musical adventure through 26 of America’s most breathtaking national parks and 11 captivating cities, featuring stunning 3D video on a giant LED screen. The Florida Orchestra performs the music live, including Grand Canyon Suite, New York, New York, Carolina on my Mind and much more. We’ll take you there. Without ever leaving your concert chair.
Sat, Mar 19, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Broadway Pops
Your favorite show tunes from Broadway’s storied past and present. With unforgettable melodies and beautiful lyrics, it’s an evening of romance, drama and humor from the greatest shows ever on stage.
Fri, Apr 8, 8 pm, Straz Center, Morsani
Sat, Apr 9, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Apr 10, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Superhero Soundtracks
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Dust off your cape and come dressed as your favorite superhero (or villain) for a concert featuring some of the most memorable themes of all time from blockbusters like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man and more.
Fri, Apr 29, 8 pm, Straz Center, Ferguson
Sat, Apr 30, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, May 1, 7:30 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Coffee Series
Light symphonic favorites in two series: the 9-concert package at the Mahaffey Theater on Thursdays and the 5-concert package at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Wednesdays.
Bonus! Free Pre-concert Conversation included with every ticket, starting at 10 am.
Bohemian Masters
Stuart Malina, conductor
Spend a lovely morning in the Bohemian countryside with music from Smetana, Dvorak, Bartok, Chopin and more.
Thu, Oct 28, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
Opera Overtures
Sameer Patel, conductor
Beautiful music that captures the drama and romance of the opera, from Mozart to Verdi. (This concert does not include a vocalist.)
Thu, Nov 18, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
British Gems
Stuart Malina, conductor
Take a trip across the pond with music from Walton, Britten, Elgar and Vaughan Williams.
Thu, Jan 13, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
Star-crossed Lovers
Michael Francis, conductor
Through the centuries, the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet has enthralled composers, featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Bernstein.
Thu, Feb 3, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
Viva España
Stuart Malina, conductor
Jonathan Godfrey, guitar
From Ravel’s Bolero to Bizet’s Carmen and more, enjoy the sensational sounds of Spain, featuring the classical guitar.
Wed, Feb 23, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Thu, Feb 24, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
Classical America
Stuart Malina, conductor
Stuart Malina celebrates America’s great composers, with music by Gershwin, Howard Hanson and more.
Wed, Mar 16, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Thu, Mar 17, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
From Russia with Love
Daniel Black, conductor
The best of Russia’s powerful yet poetic composers, including Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich and Rimsky-Korsakov.
Wed, Apr 6, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Thu, Apr 7, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
Changing Seasons
Stuart Malina, conductor
From the frost of winter to the flutter of spring, the changing seasons have inspired composers such as Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Verdi and more.
Wed, Apr 27, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Thu, Apr 28, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
Music of John Williams
Stuart Malina, conductor
The iconic composer has created some of the most recognizable and critically acclaimed music in cinematic history, from Star Wars to E.T. to Saving Private Ryan.
Wed, May 4, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall
Thu, May 5, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
