South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s “Ode to Joy,” a 200th Anniversary Celebration of Beethoven, plus Grand Opera Arias

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 200th anniversary celebration of his monumental choral masterpiece, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125! One hundred 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 Sunday, March 3, at Broward Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) in Fort Lauderdale. A pre-concert chat illuminating the works and composers will take place 30 minutes prior to the concert with Dr. Alan Mason.

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.

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.

Following its highly acclaimed 25th 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. Additional popular music performances including Maestra Alfonso conducting SFSO in a live performance of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone ™ In Concert on April 5 and 6 and Classical Mystery Tour: A Symphonic Tribute to The Beatles on May 11, both at Broward Center for the Performing Arts (separately ticketed events).

Single tickets for this program begin at $25 in Fort Lauderdale and flexible ticket packages are on sale now.

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