William Thomas Walker, Classical Voice of North Carolina, 10th April 2015
“Guest conductor Michael Francis led the orchestra in a superb interpretation [of Messiaen’s Les Offrandes oubliées]. It had all the French virtues, clarity, color, and precision – all hallmarks of correct style since the age of the Couperins. String intonation was excellent in the […]
Press Release, The Florida Orchestra, 2nd March 2015
With music inspired by fairy tales, a princess and a hero, The Florida Orchestra will perform “Play Me a Story,” a free concert exclusively for young patients and their families at All Children’s Hospital at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 13. Musicians also will play in the hallways, […]
Michael Bruze, Norrköping Tidning, 15th February 2015
“Michel Francis lifted the orchestra in a sharp performance which exposed the full potential of this crowded piece´s wide rythmical surcharge and compelling momentum….”
Stephanie Hayes, Tampa Bay Times, 8th February 2015
For his first season leading the Florida Orchestra, the silken thread running through the selections is not what you might expect from British conductor Michael Francis:
America.
“One of the visions is looking at America as a cultural icon, both in terms of the compositions produced by Americans and […]
Kurt Loft, Tampa Tribune, 8th February 2015
The state’s largest performing arts organization is too busy mapping out a progressive future to worry about prognostications on the demise of classical music.
Yes, Beethoven and the boys are long dead, but they represent only part of a rich and relevant repertoire embraced by a thriving arts industry, […]
Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31st January 2015
“Elgar’s Symphony No. 1 in A-flat Major formed the second half, and Francis spoke engagingly to the audience about the work. Friday’s concert was Cincinnati Symphony’s first performance of it in more than 70 years, under then-music director Eugene Goossens.
A onetime bass player, Francis, 37, recently was named […]
James Chute, U-T San Diego, 2nd January 2015
It’s a time of change for San Diego’s classical music organizations. Whether embracing new priorities, new leadership or new opportunities, the city’s key musical institutions are in transition. Here are five to watch in 2015:
Mainly Mozart
Mainly Mozart’s new music director, Michael Francis, officially begins his tenure in […]
Stephanie Hayes, Tampa Bay Times, 11th December 2014
When the musicians of the Florida Orchestra take their seats to play today, it won’t be in a concert hall full of subscribers.
Rather, in a simple yet meaningful concert, the orchestra will visit Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa to play a free show for patients, employees and […]
Stephanie Hayes, Tampa Bay Times, 11th December 2014
A special package has arrived just in time for the holidays.
Michael Francis, the incoming conductor of the Florida Orchestra, and his wife, Cindy welcomed their first child at 12:21 a.m. Thursday, according to the orchestra.
Annabella Grace Francis weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces. An email from […]
Susan Giles Wantuck, WUSF Radio, 22nd October 2014
This weekend, concert goers can get better acquainted with the new Florida Orchestra Music Director Michael Francis. This will be the first time he’ll conducted the orchestra since he was named its music director this past June.
The program includes music by English Composer Edward Elgar, whom Francis […]
