{"id":265746,"date":"2026-05-10T15:01:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T15:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/265746\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T15:01:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T15:01:08","slug":"south-florida-symphony-orchestra-announces-2026-27-unstoppable-masterworks-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/265746\/","title":{"rendered":"South Florida Symphony Orchestra Announces 2026\/27 \u201cUnstoppable\u201d Masterworks Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Tiffany Muzante<\/p>\n

This season\u2019s high energy performances span time-honored classics from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Barber, and Brahms to thrilling SFSO premieres by Higdon, Esmail, and Chen & He\u2019s Butterfly Lovers, the \u201cRomeo and Juliet of the East\u201d
Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Key West Subscriptions On Sale Now<\/p>\n

Boca Raton, FL \u2014 May 10, 2026\u00a0\u2014 The timeless power of music and memory propel South Florida Symphony Orchestra\u2019s (SFSO) \u201cUnstoppable\u201d 29th season! Under the direction of award-winning Maestra Sebrina Mar\u00eda Alfonso, experience an exhilarating concert series that bridges beloved masterworks and bold contemporary brilliance. From the sweeping passion of Beethoven, the soaring romance of Tchaikovsky, and the radiant elegance of Barber and Brahms to the evocative, lauded works by living composers including Higdon, Esmail, and Chen & He, SFSO\u2019s upcoming 2026\/27 season is filled with unstoppable music and unforgettable moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur 2026\/27 season features larger-than-life music that flies straight to the heart,\u201d said Maestra Sebrina Mar\u00eda Alfonso. \u201cWe aim to connect our audiences to the timeless power of the world\u2019s greatest composers, coupled with the thrill of some of today\u2019s most influential voices. Taking center stage is Beethoven, a composer of incomparable genius, who two centuries after his death, continues to live through music that is as vital today as it was when it was written. Add Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Barber, Shostakovich, Price, and a handful of esteemed living composers to the mix; you\u2019ve got a season ready to excite, ignite, and entertain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tchaikovsky\u2019s fiery Piano Concerto No. 1 (performed by Sheng Cai) and Shostakovich\u2019s propulsive Symphony No. 12 open a season that soars.<\/p>\n

Beethoven is in the limelight as SFSO commemorates the 200th anniversary of his passing beginning with the unmistakable four-note grip of his epic Fifth to an all-out, larger-than-life performance of his monumental Ninth, with its exultant \u201cOde to Joy\u201d finale, that inspires awe, awakens emotion, and celebrates the extraordinary power of live orchestral music to unite us in wonder, beauty, and delight.<\/p>\n

Florence Price\u2019s groundbreaking Violin Concerto No. 2 (featuring Melissa White) and the aching beauty of Barber\u2019s Adagio for Strings will leave audiences swooning. Along the way, discover thrilling musical gems by living composers, including three-time GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Higdon\u2019s \u201cCathedrals\u201d from All Things Majestic, Reena Esmail\u2019s Perhaps, and Chen and He\u2019s Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto (featuring SFSO concertmaster Huifang Chen). Known as the \u201cRomeo and Juliet of the East,\u201d Butterfly Lovers is one of China\u2019s most popular and performed orchestral works.<\/p>\n

The 2026\/27 line-up is:<\/p>\n

TCHAIKOVSKY\u2019S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1 & SHOSTAKOVICH\u2019S TWELFTH SYMPHONY<\/p>\n

WITH HIGDON\u2019S \u201cCATHEDRALS\u201d FROM ALL THINGS MAJESTIC<\/p>\n

Join Maestra Alfonso as she launches an \u201cUnstoppable\u201d 29th season! Tchaikovsky\u2019s Piano Concerto No. 1 (with special guest artist Sheng Cai) blazes with fiery virtuosity, Shostakovich\u2019s Symphony No.12 pulsates with drama and wit, and Pulitzer Prize and three-time GRAMMY winner Jennifer Higdon\u2019s \u201cCathedrals\u201d from All Things Majestic, evokes nature\u2019s awe-inspiring grandeur.<\/p>\n

Wed., November 11, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n

Fri., November 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.: New World Center<\/p>\n

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
Featuring Sheng Cai, piano<\/p>\n

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 12, \u201cThe Year 1917\u201d (SFSO Premiere)
Jennifer Higdon \u201cCathedrals\u201d from All Things Majestic (SFSO Premiere)<\/p>\n

HANDEL\u2019S MESSIAH AND HOLIDAY POPS<\/p>\n

The sun is out. Joy is in. South Florida Symphony Orchestra\u2019s cherished holiday tradition returns with Handel\u2019s Messiah (Part 1, the Christmas portion) crowned by the triumphant \u201cHallelujah\u201d chorus, a moment that never fails to lift the spirit and bring audiences together. This festive family concert opens with a sparkling selection of Holiday Pops and inspirational favorites, performed by dazzling guest vocalists and the South Florida Symphony Chorus.<\/p>\n

Sat., December 5, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n

Sun., December 6, 2026, 4 p.m.: Shepard & Ruth K. Broad Performing Arts Center at Barry University, Miami Shores<\/p>\n

BEETHOVEN\u2019S FIFTH WITH BOTTESINI\u2019S DOUBLE BASS CONCERTO NO. 2
WITH MOZART<\/p>\n

A sonic tour de force that spans centuries. Four thundering notes and you immediately know the grip of Beethoven\u2019s enigmatic Fifth. Rising star, Nina Bernat, steps into the spotlight with two strikingly different works\u2014Esmail\u2019s searching Perhaps and Bottesini\u2019s electrifying Double Bass Concerto No. 2. And Mozart unleashes a world of intrigue, tension, and theatrical fire with his vivid Overture to Don Giovanni.<\/p>\n

Wed., January 20, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n

Sat., January 23, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West<\/p>\n

Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Bottesini: Double Bass Concerto No. 2 (SFSO Premiere)
Featuring Nina Bernat, double bass
Esmail: Perhaps (2005, rev. 2015) (SFSO Premiere)
Featuring Nina Bernat, double bass
Mozart: Overture to Don Giovanni<\/p>\n

FLORENCE PRICE\u2019S VIOLIN CONCERTO NO. 1 & BARBER\u2019S ADAGIO FOR STRINGS WITH NIELSEN<\/p>\n

Time and breath stand still in Barber\u2019s Adagio for Strings. Florence Price\u2019s expressive Violin Concerto No. 1, featuring violinist Melissa White, blends the Romantic era with musical influences rooted in African American spirituals and folk idioms. Closing the program is Carl Nielsen\u2019s Symphony No. 2, \u201cThe Four Temperaments,\u201d a vivid psychological portrait drawn in sound.<\/p>\n

Tues., February 9, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach<\/p>\n

Wed., February 10, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n

Sat., February 13, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West<\/p>\n

Barber: Adagio for Strings
Price: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major (SFSO Premiere)
Featuring Melissa White, violin
Nielsen: Symphony No. 2, \u201cThe Four Temperaments\u201d<\/p>\n

BEETHOVEN\u2019S NINTH & GRAND OPERA ARIAS WITH THE SOUTH FLORIDA SYMPHONY CHORUS AND SPECIAL GUEST VOCALISTS<\/p>\n

Two hundred years after his death, Beethoven\u2019s Ninth remains an unstoppable force. Considered one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, and culminating in the famous \u201cOde to Joy\u201d chorus, its powerful message of hope and brotherly love is equally relevant today and is a testament to the composer\u2019s genius. Performed with the South Florida Symphony Chorus and special guest vocalists, the commemorative evening opens with a selection of popular opera arias.<\/p>\n

Sat., March 20, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West<\/p>\n

Tues., March 23, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach<\/p>\n

Wed., March 24, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: Broward Center for the Performing Arts Au-Rene Theater, Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Featuring the South Florida Symphony Chorus and special guest vocalists<\/p>\n

Grand Opera Arias<\/p>\n

BRAHMS\u2019 FOURTH SYMPHONY WITH CHEN & HE\u2019S BUTTERFLY LOVERS AND BEETHOVEN\u2019S CORIOLAN OVERTURE<\/p>\n

SFSO\u2019s \u201cUnstoppable\u201d season concludes with an emotional reckoning of love and passion. Featuring the Romantic-era masterpiece Brahms\u2019 Symphony No. 4, Chen and He\u2019s Butterfly Lovers, known as the \u201cRomeo and Juliet of the East,\u201d and Beethoven\u2019s Coriolan Overture, a stormy thriller of vengeance and familial love.<\/p>\n

Wed., April 14, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n

Brahms: Symphony No. 4
Chen Gang & He Zhanhao: Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto (SFSO Premiere)
Featuring Huifang Chen, violin
Beethoven: Coriolan Overture<\/p>\n

From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today\u2019s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores including Tim Burton\u2019s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Back to the Future, featuring the iconic films screened live with audio and musical accompaniment, South Florida\u2019s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres.<\/p>\n

Season subscriptions are on sale, now, for the Broward season at The Parker and Broward Center; the Miami season at New World Center; and the Key West season at the Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys. Discounted subscription packages may be purchased by visiting southfloridasymphony.org\/2026-27-season or by calling (954) 522-8445. Subscribers save up to 20% off single ticket prices and have first access to the best seats in the house. Five-concert packages in Fort Lauderdale are available from $204; three-concert packages from $99 in Miami; and three-concert packages in Key West from $105* (*Prices include ticketing fees but do not include shipping or Handel\u2019s Messiah.) Flexible ticket packages, single-show tickets, including student ticket and group rates, go on sale September 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445 or email [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Venue Locations:<\/p>\n

The Parker: 707 NE 8th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304<\/p>\n

Broward Center for the Performing Arts: 201 SW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312<\/p>\n

New World Center: 500 17th St., Miami Beach, FL 33139<\/p>\n

Shepard & Ruth K. Broad Performing Arts Center at Barry University: 11300 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores, FL 33161<\/p>\n

Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys: 5901 College Rd., Key West, FL 33040<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Photo Credit: Tiffany Muzante This season\u2019s high energy performances span time-honored classics from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Barber, and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":265747,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[249,251,250,557,114375,114376],"class_list":["post-265746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news","tag-palm-beach-county","tag-sfso","tag-south-florida-symphony-orchestra"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=265746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/265747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=265746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=265746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=265746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}