South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s 28th Season Ignites With Electrifying Compositions

“Each of the works we are presenting beautifully expresses challenges we can all relate to – when struggle becomes triumph, and the perseverance it takes to get there,” said Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso. “As we enter our 28th Season, I reflect on the resilience, grit, and dedication that South Florida Symphony has demonstrated throughout our history – and what has sustained us: the gift of performing live for our audiences. It is with pure joy that we share these profound, defiant, and utterly sublime works with you – music that acknowledges hardship and suffering, yet at its core fills you with hope, love, and optimism.”

A work of extraordinary triumph that took decades to complete, Brahms’ First Symphony is an epic, deeply human piece reflecting the composer’s battles with self-doubt and perfectionism under the weight of Beethoven’s omnipresent shadow. From its brooding, stormy opening to the life-affirming finale, Brahms beautifully traces one’s journey from darkness to light. A signature of this work is the candescent French horn, brilliantly illuminating the path from despair to victory.

Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 is a whirlwind of movement—elegant yet fiery, delicate yet commanding. With no pause from start to finish, the music flows in an unbroken surge of passion and virtuosity. Audience favorite cellist Zuill Bailey returns to SFSO bringing his signature artistry to this expressive work.

Beethoven’s freedom-fighting Egmont Overture portrays the tragic heroism of a man who makes the ultimate sacrifice in defiance of oppression and tyranny.

Originally composed for violin, Massenet’s “Méditation” from Thaïs takes on new depth in this interpretation for cello—an SFSO first. A hushed prayer amid the opera’s high drama, this sublime interlude floats with quiet longing.

Guest artist Zuill Bailey, who performed at SFSO’s inaugural concert and has returned many times since, is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier cellists. An award-winning, internationally renowned soloist, recitalist, artistic director, and teacher, Bailey combines celebrated artistry, technical mastery, and an engaging presence, making him one of the most sought-after and active cellists today. A prolific recording artist with over 20 albums, he won a GRAMMY Award in 2017 for Best Solo Performance for his live recording of Michael Daugherty’s Tales of Hemingway with the Nashville Symphony. The South Florida Symphony Orchestra was part of the consortium that commissioned the work, and Bailey has performed it multiple times with SFSO, highlighting the orchestra’s ongoing connection to this celebrated composition. The album also won GRAMMY Awards for Best Composition and Best Compendium.

SFSO’s 28th Season of “Juxtapositions” 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 the sun-drenched skies of Mendelssohn’s “Italian” and the sweeping emotion of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto — performances burst 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. SFSO is also proud to present upcoming 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.

Five Masterworks concerts will be held at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale from November 2025 through April 2026. Three Masterworks concerts will be held at New World Center in Miami Beach and at Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West from January through March 2026.

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.

Tickets are on sale now beginning at $35 (plus ticketing fees). Buy tickets online at: www.southfloridasymphony.org - Or: www.ParkerPlayhouse.com - By phone at: (954) 462-0222, press 1. And in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. 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: www.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.). For additional information, visit: www.southfloridasymphony.org - Call: (954) 522-8445. Or email: info@southfloridasymphony.org.

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: www.southfloridasymphony.org.

Major support for South Florida Symphony Orchestra is provided by PNC Private Bank; Nicklaus Children’s Health System; the Gerald L. Laskey Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward; the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners; Aviah Flagler Village; The Maval Foundation; and Marand Builders. Additional sponsorship is provided, in part, by Funding Arts Broward; Ver Ploeg & Marino; City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.