South Florida Symphony Orchestra Launches Its 2024-25 Icons & Rebels Masterworks Season With “100 Years Of Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue,” Prokofiev And Elgar

November 16, 2024

South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO), led by the award-winning Sebrina María Alfonso, will launch its riveting 2024-25 Icons & Rebels Masterworks season with “100 Years of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue,” an anniversary tribute to one of popular culture’s most beloved masterpieces, featuring acclaimed pianist Benjamin Hochman, the orchestra premiere of Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges Suite and Elgar’s Symphony No. 1. The programs will take place on November 13 at The Parker and on November 16 at New World Center. “Opening with Rhapsody in Blue, one of the most consequential works by an American composer ever, performed with Hochman’s sparkling virtuosity, is sure to energize audiences. Coupled with the premiere of Prokofiev’s whimsical and bold Love for Three Oranges Suite and Elgar’s majestic First Symphony, we are setting the tone for an unforgettable season,” says Maestra Alfonso. “I’m especially thrilled that, for the first time, we will perform all five of our Masterworks concerts at Miami Beach’s spectacular New World Center as well as return to our beloved theaters, The Parker and Broward Center’s Au-Rene Theater. The musicians and I are positively buzzing with excitement as we kick off our 27th season and can’t wait to greet new and familiar faces.” Now in its 27th season, SFSO invites audiences to a tantalizing season featuring upcoming works by Mozart, Strauss and Berlioz, plus a glorious Handel’s Messiah performance and an eagerly anticipated orchestra premiere of Bernstein’s satirical masterpiece Candide. The concerts will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Key West. From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres.

This season’s popular collaborations include performances of ARRIVAL From Sweden: The Music of ABBA and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, featuring the iconic film screened live with audio and musical accompaniment on October 26 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Founded in 1997 in Key West by Music Director Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso, the now Fort Lauderdale based South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) is celebrating its 27th 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 125,000 students since its inception in 1997.

Benjamin Hochman
Benjamin Hochman