SOUTH FLORIDA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES 200 YEARS OF BEETHOVEN’S MONUMENTAL MASTERPIECE SYMPHONY NO. 9  ON MARCH 1 AT THE TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATRE IN KEY WEST

SOUTH FLORIDA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES 200 YEARS OF BEETHOVEN’S MONUMENTAL MASTERPIECE SYMPHONY NO. 9  ON MARCH 1 AT THE TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATRE IN KEY WEST

South Florida Symphony Chorus adds reverence to the revelry; Acclaimed soloists to perform grand opera arias

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 6, 2024) – Ode to Joy! In a milestone musical event, South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO), led by Sebrina María Alfonso, will pay passionate homage to Beethoven, one of classical music’s most revered composers, with a 200^th anniversary celebration of his monumental choral masterpiece, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125! Voices from South Florida Symphony Chorus, directed by Dr. Giselle Elgarresta Rios, featuring talented singers from Barry University, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, and the community, will add to the revelry. Soloists Elizabeth Caballero (soprano), Rebecca Ringle Kamarei (mezzo-soprano), Adam Diegel (tenor), and Luis Ledesma (baritone) will also perform a selection of grand opera arias. The performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1, at the Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys.

“When Beethoven added vocals to what would be his final symphony, he unwittingly changed the course of classical music forever and, in the process, created what is often cited as the greatest piece of music ever written,” said Maestra Alfonso. “Today, his magnificent Ninth continues to captivate audiences worldwide and has come to define our understanding of symphonic music as grand, opulent, powerful works of art.”

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 premiered in 1824, Vienna, to an enthusiastic audience. During its composition, Beethoven was steadily losing his hearing and by the time of its premiere, he was profoundly deaf. He never heard a note outside his own imagination. Various accounts maintain that he had to be directed to face the audience during the performance to see its appreciation.

Alfonso added, “The sheer emotional power that courses throughout Symphony No. 9 can elicit uncharted feelings, creating a sense of wonder and awe in listeners and I look forward to our audience experiencing this profound connection. The momentous ‘Ode to Joy’ finale, which will be performed by a chorus of 100, is a testament to the resilience of our shared humanity when we stand united. What a thrill it will be for SFSO to commemorate 200 years of this extraordinary masterpiece with our audiences!”

Complementing these milestone performances will be a selection of moving operatic arias from Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Rigoletto, Puccini’s Turandot and Tosca, and Delibes’ Lakmé.

Also at the concert, SFSO will honor local arts and culture advocates who champion musical creativity and innovation with “Sound of Success” awards.

Following its highly acclaimed 25^th anniversary season, including sold-out shows and a celebrated performance accompanying award-winning alt-rock indie vocalist Natalie Merchant, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its musical journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages. Upcoming concerts include masterworks from Bernstein, Schubert, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and more, including another SFSO premiere, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Clarinet Concerto.

Single tickets begin at $25 for this program at the Tennessee Williams Theatre at The College of the Florida Keys and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased by visiting southfloridasymphony.org/2023-24-season or by calling (305) 295-7676. Flexible ticket packages are also available.

For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445 or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.

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