SWF Symphony’s 52nd season will be grand
An array of outstanding guest conductors, world-class guest artists and the talented professional musicians of the Southwest Florida Symphony offer its 52nd season of great music.
Concerts will be led by the symphony’s artistic advisor, Leif Bjaland, as well as guest conductors Josep Caballe-Domenech, David Itkin, Steven Jarvi, Michael Berkowitz, Jim Stephenson and Richard Kaufman.
The Masterworks Series includes five concerts at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall with virtuoso symphonic works, such as Der Rosenkavalier Suite by Richard Strauss, Debussy’s La Mer, and the Symphony No. 5 by Prokofiev. Experience the birth of a masterpiece as the orchestra presents a theatrical, multi-media Discovery Concert in which Maestro Leif Bjaland provides a look at the Symphonic Fantastique by Berlioz. Guest soloists include award-winning artists Joyce Yang, Clancy Newman and Jennifer Frautschi.
A well-rounded variety describes this season’s Pops Series, with music by Nelson Riddle directed by his old friend Mike Berkowitz, Opera Favorites and a Tribute to John Williams. Steven Jarvi, a fast rising star in the world of opera conducting, brings two of his favorite singers from the stage – Elizabeth Caballero and Weston Hurt.
Who better to conduct an evening of great film music than Grammy and Emmy Award winning film conductor Richard Kaufman? Composer/arranger/conductor Jim Stephenson returns to conduct the annual family-fun Holiday Pops and a special New Year’s Eve Gala Concert.
The Southwest Florida Symphony once again returns to BIG ARTS on Sanibel in January, February and March to present three Wednesday evening performances. These programs feature smaller, more intimate works, with music by Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn and Tchaikovsky.
Three programs – the Holiday Pops, the Berlioz Discovery Concert and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 – will be offered at the Village Church at Shell Point.
Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now for the Masterworks and Pops Series. Call the Box Office at 239.418.1500 or visit www.swflso.org for details.
BIG ARTS Series on Sanibel
January 23, 2013, 8 p.m. – Leif Bjaland, Conductor; Mozart Divertimento; Britten Lachryme, Rebecca Diderrich, soloist; Tchaikovsky String Serenade
February 13, 2013, 8 p.m. – David Itkin, Conductor; R. Strauss Prelude to Capriccio; Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1, Hyojin Ahn, soloist; Beethoven Symphony No. 4
March 13, 2013, 8 p.m. – Leif Bjaland, Conductor; Debussy Petite Suite; Mozart Symphony No. 35 “Haffner”; Haydn Symphony No. 100 “Military”