Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 5th September 2018
The Florida Orchestra has prepared a 51st season with a wide range of grand masters and newer work, an increased visibility for minorities and women and more collaborations with museums and other artistic institutions.
Masterworks highlights include the opening, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 (the first time […]
Mike Telin, Cleveland Classical, 31st July 2018
When Michael Francis made his Cleveland Orchestra debut last summer, the British-born conductor brought along a program that featured music by Elgar and Vaughan Williams. When he returns to the Blossom Music Center stage on Sunday, August 5 at 7:00 pm, he will lead the Orchestra in a […]
Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 17th May 2018
The Florida Orchestra will begin tutoring at-risk children free of charge, thanks to a Hillsborough County grant.
The $80,000 grant to the University Area Community Development Corp. pays for six weeks of violin instruction at select recreation centers, from the second week of June through the third week […]
Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 23rd February 2018
The composer sat in semi-darkness, his hand drifting like a slow pendulum at his side. On the Mahaffey Theater stage, the violins led a creaking and mysterious journey through a cypress swamp, the inspiration for the first movement.
The conductor stopped.
“Can we try something?” Florida Orchestra music director […]
Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 8th February 2018
Themes are useful sometimes. Right now, the Florida Orchestra is still enjoying the heart of its 50th anniversary season, which has been big and loud and celebratory.
At other times, maybe it’s best to just put a fine program together and let the public decide what to call […]
Gabriella Angotti-Jones and Chris Urso, Tampa Bay Times, 10th December 2017
Sting was the guest and performer of honor for the Florida Orchestra’s fundraising gala Saturday in St. Pete. Sting performed some of his notable songs; Englishman in New York, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic and Roxanne.
Michele Miller, Tampa Bay Times, 23rd October 2017
The excitement was palpable as students hopped off their school buses and streamed into the Center for the Arts at River Ridge.
“We’re packed, sold out,” said the center’s director, Rick D’Onofrio, sporting a wide grin as he guided the chattering students into their seats while members of […]
Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 27th September 2017
As the Florida Orchestra gears up for its golden anniversary in the Tampa Bay area, we asked music director Michael Francis to share his thoughts on the classical lineup. Highlights include at least two orchestral and choral blockbusters, the season-opening Carmina Burana and the Verdi Requiem, plus […]
Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 27th September 2017
The Florida Orchestra began 50 years ago with a mixture of nervousness and pride, dreams of artistic excellence and an accompanying surge for the arts on both sides of Tampa Bay.
The decades since have seen improvements as the orchestra has survived through a series of financial crises. […]
Michael Francis will conduct the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra as part of the ARD International Music Competition. The final performance will be livestreamed on Friday, 15th September 2017 at 8pm Central European Summer Time.
