Incoming Florida Orchestra conductor Michael Francis welcomes a daughter

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 orchestra president Michael Pastreich reported that mother and baby were doing well and that Francis is “both relieved and joyously happy.”

The orchestra named Francis music director in June, but his three-year contract begins in the 2015 season. Though Francis, 38, is from England, his wife is from Lutz and has family in the area.