Don’t Miss South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Boldest Season Yet
- wgclients01
- Aug 23
- 7 min read
Partake in an artfully curated musical season of “Juxtapositions” emerging with unexpected contrasts from the timeless classics of Mendelssohn, Mozart, Dvořák and Ravel to contemporary works from GRAMMY nominees Carlos Simon and Nathalie Joachim
Award-winning Music Director Sebrina María Alfonso will lead South Florida Symphony Orchestra into its bold new season beginning November 5 at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale. Season subscriptions are on sale now. Photo credit: ©Steven Shires
Subscriptions are now available for South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s 28th season, “Juxtapositions,” with individual concert tickets on sale September 5, 2025. Led by award-winning Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso, this season explores beauty in contrasts, where the bold and the sublime intersect, and timeless masterpieces share the stage with today’s most compelling and celebrated musical voices.
From Mozart’s vivacious “Haffner” symphony to Brahms’ heroic First, to the sun-drenched skies of Mendelssohn’s “Italian” and the sweeping emotion of the Sibelius’ Violin Concerto — this season bursts with color and power. Beethoven’s luminous Piano Concerto No. 4 and Dvořák’s Bohemian Eighth deepen the journey, while Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol whirls with Spanish flair.
Bringing today’s voices centerstage, SFSO also presents orchestra firsts by GRAMMY-nominated composers, including the Florida premiere of Had to Be by Haitian-American Nathalie Joachim, featuring breakout cellist Seth Parker Woods, and Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances. Beloved guest artists also return — GRAMMY winner Zuill Bailey brings smoldering intensity to Saint-Saëns’ dramatic Cello Concerto No. 1, and Svetlana Smolina prepares to enchant with Ravel’s glittering Piano Concerto in G major.
“This season, we invite our audiences to experience the full emotional spectrum of great music - from moments of quiet reflection to bold, exhilarating highs. Juxtapositions is about contrast, embracing the unexpected, making connections, and discovery,” said Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso. “I’m especially proud to share works by today’s most compelling voices alongside some of the most beloved composers of all time - all brought to life by the world-class musicians of South Florida Symphony. As we enter our 28th season, performing in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Key West, our commitment to creating meaningful musical experiences for our community has never been stronger.”
The 2025/26 line-up is:
BRAHMS’ FIRST SYMPHONY & SAINT-SAENS' CELLO CONCERTO NO. 1 WITH BEETHOVEN & MASSENET FEATURING ZUILL BAILEY, CELLO
GRAMMY-winning cellist Zuill Bailey joins SFSO to open its 28th Season featuring the spirit of “Juxtapositions” on Nov. 5 at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale. Photo credit: Don Hamilton
The 28th season, Juxtapositions, ignites with a powerful reminder that even in darkness, light will always find its way. Beethoven's freedom-fighting Egmont Overture opens the evocative evening, as audience favorite Zuill Bailey’s virtuosic cello playing resounds with intense emotion in Saint-Saëns’ fiery Cello Concerto No. 1 and Massenet’s hushed “Méditation” from Thaïs. Capping the evening is Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 – a profound work that took the composer decades to complete, beautifully articulates one’s journey from darkness to triumph.
Wed., November 5, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Beethoven | Egmont Overture
Saint-Saëns | Cello Concerto No. 1 featuring Zuill Bailey, cello
Massenet | “Méditation” from Thaïs *SFSO Premiere Featuring Zuill Bailey, cello
Brahms | Symphony No. 1
HANDEL’S MESSIAH & HOLIDAY POPS
It’s the most wonderful time of year when SFSO delivers its annual holiday tradition, Handel’s Messiah (Part 1, the “Christmas portion” plus the glorious “Hallelujah” chorus.) Adding to the magic of the season are a selection of your favorite Holiday Pops, all performed by dazzling guest vocalists and the South Florida Symphony Chorus.
Sat., December 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Sun., December 7, 2025, 4 p.m.: Shepard & Ruth K. Broad Performing Arts Center at Barry University, Miami Shores
SIBELIUS’ SYMPHONY NO. 2 & RAVEL’S PIANO CONCERTO IN G MAJOR WITH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS FEATURING SVETLANA SMOLINA, PIANO
Rhythmic drive meets lyrical beauty in this exhilarating program brimming with wit and brilliance. Drawing upon a solemn 16th-century hymn, Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis envelops the listener in a world of reverence and reflection while Ravel’s bluesy and spirited Piano Concerto in G major, featuring SFSO fan-favorite Svetlana Smolina at the keys, joins the windswept glory of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2.
Wed., January 21, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Thurs., January 22, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach
Sat., January 24, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West
Vaughan Williams | Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Ravel | Piano Concerto in G major featuring Svetlana Smolina, piano
Sibelius | Symphony No. 2
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV'S CAPRICCIO ESPAGNOL & MOZART’S “HAFFNER” WITH ORCHESTRA PREMIERES BY JOACHIM & SIMON FEATURING SETH PARKER WOODS, CELLO
SFSO will present the Florida premiere of Had to Be by Haitian-American GRAMMY nominee Nathalie Joachim. Photo credit: Erin Patrice O'Brien
The familiar meets the new in this stand-out program featuring the anticipated Florida premiere of GRAMMY nominee Nathalie Joachim’s Had to Be, an intimate exploration of memory and identity featuring rising cellist Seth Parker Woods. Also making its SFSO premiere is Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances, a vibrant work filled with spiritual depth. Completing the program, Mozart’s “Haffner” symphony bursts with celebratory energy and elegant precision, while Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol sparkles with irresistible Spanish rhythms.
Rising star cellist Seth Parker Woods joins SFSO for its Florida premiere of Haitian-American GRAMMY nominee Nathalie Joachim’s Had to Be, part of a stand-out Black History Month program in February 2026. Photo credit: Ben Gibbs
Tues., February 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach
Wed., February 18, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Sat., February 21, 2025, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West
Simon | Four Black American Dances *SFSO Premiere
Joachim | Had to Be *SFSO Premiere and Florida Premiere featuring Seth Parker Woods, cello
Mozart | Symphony No. 35 “Haffner”
Rimsky-Korsakov | Capriccio espagnol
DVOŘÁK’S SYMPHONY NO. 8 & SIBELIUS’ VIOLIN CONCERTO WITH SCHUBERT FEATURING SIWOO KIM, VIOLIN
SFSO violinist Chistina Zai for the 2025-26 season, “Juxtapositions.” Photo credit: Nick Donner
Sibelius’s soul-searching Violin Concerto, featuring the expressive brilliance of guest artist Siwoo Kim, and Dvořák’s Bohemian-folk inspired Symphony No. 8 highlights music’s ability to connect to worlds unknown. One looks inward, tracing shadows and emotion; the other bursts outward in celebration of nature, life, and song. Opening the program is Schubert’s Overture in D major (In the Italian Style), a playful wink to Rossini’s Viennese operas.
Tues., March 10, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: New World Center, Miami Beach
Wed., March 11, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Sat., March 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: Tennessee Williams Theatre, Key West
Schubert | Overture in D major (In the Italian Style)
Dvořák | Symphony No. 8
Sibelius | Violin Concerto featuring Siwoo Kim, violin
MENDELSSOHN'S “ITALIAN” & BEETHOVEN FEATURING TAO LIN, PIANO
In the season finale, drama meets delight, and introspection gives way to exuberance as Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture "Fingal's Cave" conjures the misty and mystic beauty of Scotland's famed Isle of Staffa, and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, featuring acclaimed pianist Tao Lin, is a rich and nuanced affair. Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4. Nicknamed the "Italian," and inspired by the country's natural beauty, it radiates warmth, energy, and sun-soaked charm.
Wed., April 8, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: The Parker, Fort Lauderdale
Mendelssohn | The Hebrides Overture “Fingal’s Cave”
Beethoven | Piano Concerto No. 4 featuring Tao Lin, piano
Mendelssohn | Symphony No. 4 “Italian”
From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores including Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Back to the Future, featuring the iconic films screened live with audio and musical accompaniment, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres.
Season subscriptions are available for the Fort Lauderdale season at The Parker, the Miami season at New World Center and 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/2025-26-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 $180*; three-concert packages from $84* in Miami; and three-concert packages in Key West from $90* (*Prices do not include ticketing fees or Handel’s Messiah tickets.); Flexible ticket packages, single-show tickets, including student ticket and group rates, go on sale September 5.
For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445 or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.
Venue Locations:
The Parker: 707 NE 8th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
New World Center: 500 17th St., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys: 5901 College Rd., Key West, FL 33040
Shepard & Ruth K. Broad Performing Arts Center at Barry University: 11300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33161
About South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO)
Founded in 1997 in Key West by Music Director Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso, the Fort Lauderdale-based South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) is celebrating its 28th season. SFSO is dedicated to providing enriching cultural music experiences to residents and visitors in Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Guided by the belief that music is pivotal to thriving communities, SFSO brings vibrancy and engagement with the arts via innovative programming and transformative educational initiatives. A pioneer in its commitment to symphonic music for underserved communities, its Symphony in the Schools program has touched the lives of over 130,000 students since its inception in 1997. SFSO was recently named the first Partner in the Arts for The Parker by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and has been recognized by the Broward County Cultural Division as a “Major Cultural Institution,” one of only a handful of organizations to be so honored. For a performance schedule and season tickets, call (954) 522-8445 or visit southfloridasymphony.org.