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 […]
David J Brown, LA Opus, 18th January 2018
“…how well did Mr. Francis convey his obvious commitment and interpretative insights to an orchestra that had never played the work before? To my ears, the result showed the Pacific Symphony to be more responsive and skillful in their realizing of such an unfamiliar and complex masterpiece […]
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.
Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 10th December 2017
“The gala, the orchestra’s only major fund-raising event of the year, raised a record $1.5 million, money that will be used for securing soloists and expanding community work in such areas as schools and hospitals.”
Stefan Amzoll, Neues Deutschland, 15th November 2017
“Some, though not all, of Haydn’s twelve London symphonies showcase how much Mozart learned from his example. The spirit of the Classical period lives in them and broadens our perspective. The aforementioned No. 104 begins with an Adagio framed by chords, a surprise in its time since it […]
Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times, 28th October 2017
“All of those threads come together, however, in the fourth movement, a furious gathering of dozens of themes growing in real time to a smashing conclusion. [Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2] challenges both musicians and the audience to stay abreast of a multitude of its joyously twisting shapes. […]
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, 3rd August 2017
“…this night and this event was all about the orchestra, which showed care and precision throughout. Under the baton of music director Michael Francis, an all-hands-on-deck contingent navigated the sharp turns that compellingly drive the piece.”
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. […]
