Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 8th March 2017
The young man lifted his hands, one of which held a baton, and brought them down.
A grand piano took off like a racehorse hit with a whip, the pianist slamming chords in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, better known as the Pathétique. It and Jeancarlo Gonzalez, a graduate […]
William E Ford, Bachtrack, 25th February 2017
★★★★
“The ASO performed beautifully, with the strings sounding especially full and warm. Vaughan Williams’ music was turned out beautifully under Maestro Francis’ baton. It was truly a fine performance.”
Mark Gresham, Arts ATL 24th February 2017
“Under Francis’ baton, the ASO gave the sublimely lyrical work an impressive, finely honed performance, bringing closure to a creditable, satisfying evening of surprisingly compatible repertoire.”
Editorial Staff, Tampa Bay Times, 6th January 2017
Thanks to a state grant, the Florida Orchestra is embarking on new outreach efforts that will extend its reach across the state and bring its music to underserved audiences. Florida’s largest professional orchestra is a longtime cultural asset in Tampa Bay. By embracing a mission of service […]
Suzanne Hirt, Daytona Beach News-Journal, 5th January 2017
The Florida Orchestra is on a mission to make symphony concerts accessible to everyone, not just people of means.
The reason is simple: “When people come who haven’t been before, they leave transformed,” said Michael Francis, the state orchestra’s music director.
But discounted ticket prices don’t coincide with a […]
Andrew Meacham,Tampa Bay Times, 5th January 2017
The Florida Orchestra will take on an expanded presence throughout Florida, thanks to new funding that will send musicians to cities around the state.
Orchestra leaders stood before the St. Petersburg City Council Thursday and spoke of an ambitious state residency program funded by more than $700,000 in […]
Mannheimer Morgen, 10th December 2016
“Conductor Michael Francis led the orchestra with thoughtfully flowing gestures. After the 52 timpani strokes, the orchestra threw itself with determination into the dramatic developments.
Oboes and clarinets produced soft lyricisms during the second movement. Horns and flutes gave the pathos of the fourth movement a festive glance, and the […]
Saarbruecker Zeitung, 5th December 2016
“Michael Francis acted graciously on the podium. A guest conductor who is not only elegant with his baton but also inspires a sound sensuality with his gestures. In “Lullaby,” by the Polish composer Andrzej Panufnik, he creates an impeccable pianissimo work for strings. The simple folksong was brought to life […]
Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 12th November 2016
“Between such no-brainers in the Masterworks series, the orchestra sometimes works in a “concept concert,” performances built around a theme. This weekend’s Songs of the Sea: Britten, Elgar and Debussy is a prime example. Friday’s opening at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts […]
Andrew Meacham,Tampa Bay Times, 9th November 2016
Some of the Florida Orchestra’s most interesting concerts have come about through inspiration, grouping a few pieces together to form an image. A good example is the performance this weekend, Songs of the Sea: Britten, Elgar and Debussy.
“The orchestra can unite the bay in a very powerful way,” […]
