South Florida Symphony Debuts 20th Key West Season with ‘Great American Songbook’
Audiences are to be transported back to a golden era featuring the music of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, George and Ira Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and more when the South Florida Symphony presents “Celebrating the Great American Songbook.”
The salute to these 20th-century songwriting legends is the opening concert of the symphony’s 20th anniversary season. It will be performed Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Glynn Archer Performing Arts Center at 2100 Flagler Ave. on the campus of Key West High School.
Guided by award-winning conductor and Key West native Sebrina María Alfonso, the symphony is a renowned professional orchestra that performs in Key West and other South Florida cities.
For the November concert, Alfonso has assembled a cast of critically acclaimed vocalists to bring the cherished songs to life on stage. They include sopranos Mara Bonde and Bridgette Gan, mezzo-soprano Janna Baty, tenor Bobby Nesbitt, baritone John Whittlesey and bass-baritone Neil Nelson.
Subsequent performances during the symphony’s 2017-18 season include four Masterworks concerts beginning with “Mozart Meets Hemingway & Flamenco.” Set for Saturday, Dec. 16, the intriguing program features Grammy Award–winning cellist Zuill Bailey and the Siudy Garrido Flamenco Dance Co.
The symphony also plans to pay homage to composer Leonard Bernstein and Tony Award–winning musicals with a pops concert Saturday, Feb. 10, titled “And the Tony Goes to …”
Masterworks and pops series subscription packages, as well as tickets for individual performances, can be purchased online at southfloridasymphony.org.