Icons & Rebels: The Masterworks Season Of Gershwin, Mozart & Other Greats

"We're thrilled to present a captivating 27th Season, brimming with timeless masterpieces that reflect the dramatic beauty of the human experience," exclaimed Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso. "From love and laughter, joy and sorrow, to scorn, redemption, and ultimately grace, our 2024/25 Season embodies a tapestry of emotions drawn from literature, poetry, and fiction. The iconic composers featured left an indelible mark on Classical Music and Pop Culture. We can’t wait to share these evocative works - many new to SFSO's repertoire - with both our devoted audience and newcomers alike."

The 2024/25 line-up is:

MASTERWORKS I – 100 YEARS OF GERSHWIN’S RHAPSODY IN BLUE | PROKOFIEV & ELGAR

SFSO pays tribute to the rule-breakers who paved the way for change! Celebrating 100 years of Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin shocked critics who did not know how to process the unconventional work when it debuted, while the unorthodox and inventive Prokofiev is known for his Neo-Classical, modernist approach, and Elgar's Symphony No. 1, written in the rare key of A-flat, beautifully explores the universal experiences of love and hope.

Wednesday, November 13th, 2024, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, November 16th, 2024, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach

Gershwin: 100 Years of Rhapsody in Blue featuring Benjamin Hochman, piano
Prokofiev: The Love for Three Oranges Suite *SFSO Premiere
Elgar: Symphony No. 1

Handel’s Messiah and Holiday Pops

Usher in the season of joy as South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s beloved holiday tradition returns. Enjoy the glorious sounds of Handel’s Messiah (Part 1, the Christmas portion) culminating in the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus. With dazzling guest vocalists and the South Florida Symphony Chorus, the festive concert also features a selection of your favorite holiday pops.

Saturday, December 7th, 2024, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Sunday, December 8th, 2024, 4:00 p.m.: Shepard & Ruth K. Broad Performing Arts Center at Barry University, Miami

MASTERWORKS II – BERNSTEIN’S CANDIDE (Semi-staged concert version)

“Glitter and Be Gay” as Maestra Sebrina Alfonso leads the South Florida Symphony Orchestra in a semi-staged concert version of Leonard Bernstein's satirical masterpiece Candide. SFSO’s Premiere of Candide follows in the manner of the New York Philharmonic's acclaimed 2004 Lonny Price production, made popular through the PBS series "Great Performances.” This version of Bernstein's Candide is played out with the orchestra, a dynamic cast of actor-vocalists, minimal sets and costumes, and a chorus performing all together on stage. Experience Candide's riotous journey as he embarks on a whirlwind adventure pursuing "the best of all possible worlds." Teeming with humor, unexpected twists, and profound philosophical reflections, Bernstein's iconic music, adapted from Voltaire's famed Enlightenment-era novella, sets the backdrop for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and existential musings.

Tuesday, January 14th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach
Thursday, January 16th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale *SFSO Gala evening
Sunday, January 19th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West

MASTERWORKS III – DON JUAN | STRAUSS & BERLIOZ

Celebrate love in all its dramatic, poetic, erotic, scandalous and insatiable forms! February’s Masterworks program features three orchestra premieres including R. Strauss’ deeply emotive swan song, Four Last Songs; J. Strauss, II’s The Blue Danube, the world’s most famous Waltz, and Berlioz’s epic King Lear Overture. All anchored by the SFSO return of R. Strauss’ swashbuckling escapade Don Juan.

Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Friday, February 14th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West
Saturday, February 15th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach

J. Strauss, II: The Blue Danube *SFSO Premiere
R. Strauss: Four Last Songs *SFSO Premiere
Berlioz: King Lear Overture *SFSO Premiere
R. Strauss: Don Juan

MASTERWORKS IV – MOZART’S REQUIEM

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most prolific and influential musical geniuses of all time. In this stunning all-Mozart program, immerse yourself in the achingly beautiful Requiem as special guest vocalists and the South Florida Symphony Chorus lend their soaring talents to the celebrated masterpiece. The evening also features the transcendent Symphony No. 40, “The Great G minor,” largely considered one of Mozart’s finest works.

Mozart: Requiem *SFSO Premiere
Mozart: Symphony No. 40

Tuesday, March 11th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach
Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, March 15th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West

MASTERWORKS V – PROKOFIEV | BRUCKNER

The 2024/25 Season ends with the enchanting worlds of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Bruckner's Symphony No. 4, "Romantic." Prokofiev's masterpiece is hailed as one of the most beloved concertos of the 20th century, sizzling with energy and lyricism. Meanwhile, Bruckner's "Romantic" evokes a mythical landscape filled with grandeur and medieval splendor. Majestic and lyrical, it is a testament to Bruckner's mastery and ability to transport listeners to a world of knights and legends.

Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Thursday, April 10th, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring Catherine Lan, piano
Bruckner: Symphony No. 4, “Romantic”

From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres. This season’s popular collaborations include ARRIVAL From Sweden: The Music of ABBA on September 14th, 2024 and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, featuring the iconic film screened live with audio and musical accompaniment by SFSO on October 26th, 2024, both at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Au-Rene Theater.

Season subscriptions are on sale now for the Broward Season at The Parker and Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Miami Season at New World Center and Key West Season at the Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys. Discounted subscription packages may be purchased by visiting: www.southfloridasymphony.org/2024-25-season - Or by calling: (954) 522-8445. Subscribers save 20% off single ticket prices and have first access to the best seats in the house. Five-concert packages in Fort Lauderdale are available from $152*; five-concert packages from $112* in Miami; and three-concert packages in Key West from $92* (*plus ticketing fees); Flexible ticket packages, single-show tickets, including student ticket and group rates, go on sale September 6th.

Venue Locations

The Parker: 707 Northeast 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304
New World Center: 500 17th Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys: 5901 College Road, Key West, Florida 33040
Broward Center for the Performing Arts: 201 Southwest 5th Avene, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

Shepard & Ruth K. Broad Performing Arts Center at Barry University: 11300 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, Florida 33161

South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO)

Founded in 1997 in Key West by Music Director Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso, the now Fort Lauderdale based South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) is celebrating its 27th Season. SFSO is dedicated to providing enriching cultural music experiences to residents and visitors in Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Guided by the belief that music is pivotal to thriving communities, SFSO brings vibrancy and engagement with the arts via innovative programming and transformative educational initiatives. A pioneer in its commitment to symphonic music for underserved communities, its Symphony in the Schools program has touched the lives of over 125,000 students since its inception in 1997. SFSO has been recognized by the Broward County Cultural Division as a “Major Cultural Institution,” one of only a handful of organizations to be so honored.

For a performance schedule and season tickets, visit: www.southfloridasymphony.org Call: (954) 522-8445. Or email: info@southfloridasymphony.org.