• Jurassic Park in Concert | Film with live orchestra
• Steve Hackman’s Tchaikovsky X Drake | Fusion concert
• Music of James Taylor, Neil Diamond & Paul Simon, Starring Michael Cavanaugh
• Handel’s Messiah | Conducted by Michael Francis
• Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Film with live orchestra
• Holiday Brass | Chamber concert
Single tickets to all concerts go on sale July 31 at FloridaOrchestra.org
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Florida Orchestra is adding six new programs to the 2023-24 season, expanding its extensive concert lineup into mid-September, the orchestra announced today. Special concerts include Jurassic Park in Concert, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking, action-packed film as TFO performs John Williams’ iconic score live to picture. Two performances: Sept. 22 & 23 at the Mahaffey Theater, including a family-friendly matinee.
Tickets to all concerts go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, July 31, along with single tickets to the entire 2023-2024 season. Tickets will be available at FloridaOrchestra.org, at 727.892.3337 and at The Florida Orchestra Ticket Center, 244 Second Ave. N (first floor) in St. Petersburg. Season ticket subscribers have VIP access to tickets now.
More concerts include Steve Hackman’s Tchaikovsky X Drake fusion concert in November, by the same creator of TFO’s successful Beethoven X Coldplay concert last May, and The Music of James Taylor, Neil Diamond & Paul Simon, Starring Michael Cavanaugh, known for his role in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out. To celebrate the holidays in December, TFO is adding Handel’s Messiah with Music Director Michael Francis, our popular Holiday Brass chamber concert, and for one night only, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas family-friendly film concert – all in addition to TFO’s most popular concerts of the year, Holiday Pops.
TFO will perform more than 100 concerts this season in venues throughout Tampa Bay, including a wide range of classical, popular and family-friendly music. Maestro Francis launches the Hough Family Foundation Masterworks series with Holst’s The Planets Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 at the Mahaffey Theater and Ruth Eckerd Hall. The Raymond James Pops series opens Oct. 7 & 8 with Cirque Dances with Troupe Vertigo at the Mahaffey Theater. The Morning Matinees series begins Oct. 4 & 5 at Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Mahaffey Theater.
Here are details of the added concerts:
SPECIAL CONCERT
The Music of James Taylor, Neil Diamond & Paul Simon
Starring Michael Cavanaugh
Chelsea Gallo, conductor
Michael Cavanaugh, vocals & piano
The charismatic Michael Cavanaugh, known for his starring role in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out, and the full power of The Florida Orchestra deliver the American rock ‘n’ roll songbook. Featuring the music of singer/songwriters James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Paul Simon, Billy Joel and more.
Sat, Sept 16, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55
All fees included
FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
Jurassic Park in Concert
Celebrating the 30th anniversary! Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, the action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Experience it in HD with The Florida Orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture.
Fri, Sept 22, 7:30 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sat, Sept 23, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55
All fees included
FUSION CONCERT
Steve Hackman’s
Tchaikovsky X Drake
Steve Hackman, conductor & creator
A symphonic fusion that blends the music of two composer-romanticists separated by nearly a century. Fifteen songs of hip-hop artist Drake are woven into Tchaikovsky’s epic Fifth Symphony in every way imaginable. Joining the full orchestra are three singers and a rapper. Please note: The artist Drake will not be in attendance.
Thur, Nov. 2, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55
All fees included
FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Cindy Lou Who takes matters into her own hands and turns both Whoville and the Grinch’s world upside down, inside out and funny side up in her search for the true meaning of Christmas.
The orchestra will perform live to film the score by the late, great film composer James Horner. The film stars Jim Carrey and is directed by Ron Howard.
Sat, Dec 2, 7:30 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55
All fees included
SPECIAL CONCERT
Handel’s Messiah
Michael Francis, conductor
Master Chorale of Tampa Bay
Matthew Abernathy, artistic director
With its divine “Hallelujah” chorus, Messiah is the ultimate celebration of holiday joy. A tradition around the world for nearly 300 years.
Fri, Dec 8, 8 pm, Straz Center, Morsani
Sat, Dec 9, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Tickets: $25, $35, $55, $65
All fees included
TFO CHAMBER CONCERTS
Holiday Brass
Feel the power of TFO’s unparalleled brass section as they perform a festive mix of classical and popular holiday favorites. Part of TFO Chamber Concerts series, generously sponsored by Rick and Amy Smith.
Thur, Dec 7, 7:30 pm, Church of the Ascension, Clearwater
Sat, Dec 9, 8 pm, Tampa Theatre
Sun, Dec 10, 2 pm, Palladium Theater
Tickets: $25, general admission
All fees included
Other TFO series and concerts on sale July 31
• Hough Family Foundation Masterworks: TFO celebrates the music of America and beyond, inspired by the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Highlights: Holst’s The Planets, Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony, Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony and more.
Single tickets: $28, $40, $65, $80, all fees included
Kids and teens ages 5-18 get in free with Classical Kids & Teen tickets, available in advance.
Pre-Concert Conversations: Unlock the secrets behind the music and composers starting 1 hour before the concert. Sponsored by Smith & Associates Real Estate.
• Raymond James Pops: Highlights include Cirque Dances with Troupe Vertigo; Holiday Pops; Women Rock; Twist & Shout: The Music of the Beatles; From Broadway With Love; Disco Fever;
Sci-Fi Spectacular; and more.
Single tickets: $28, $40, $65, $80, all fees included
• Morning Matinees: Features the greatest hits of classical music, including Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Debussy’s La Mer, Strauss’ Blue Danube and more.
Single tickets: $30, $39, $44, $52 all fees included
Full schedules of these previously announced series are available at FloridaOrchestra.org
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About Michael Francis
The 2023-24 season will be Michael Francis’ ninth year as music director of The Florida Orchestra. With bold innovation and creativity, Maestro Francis has raised artistic excellence to new heights, strengthened the audience’s connection to the music and reinvigorated TFO’s community and education programs. The internationally acclaimed conductor also is music director of the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego and principal conductor of Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz in Germany.
About The Florida Orchestra
The Florida Orchestra (TFO) is recognized as Tampa Bay’s leading performing arts institution, the largest professional orchestra in Florida, and one of the most vibrant and innovative orchestras in America. This is its 56th season. Under the leadership of Music Director Michael Francis, TFO performs series of classical, popular, and morning concerts in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as free Pops in the Park concerts. The orchestra is dedicated to connecting to the community, including family and youth concerts and other educational programs. For tickets and information: FloridaOrchestra.org. The Florida Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)3 EIN: 59-1223691 CH#1830. To learn more how you can support the power of music in building community, contact: sweymouth@floridaorchestra.org To donate now: FloridaOrchestra.org/donate