Sarasota Orchestra

Concerts

Rock Legends of the ’60s & ’70s

Concerts

On Sale: No
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 04-09-2027 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 04-10-2027 14:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 04-10-2027 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Has intermission?: Yes
Conductor: John Gennaro Devlin
Featured Guest Artists: Jesse Nager, Rick Brantley, Sarah Darling

Journey back to the music that defined a generation. This unforgettable concert brings to life the spirit of Laurel Canyon, the creative birthplace of the “California Sound.” Groove to the timeless music of groundbreaking artists such as Joni Mitchell, Carole King, James Taylor, The Eagles, The Mamas & the Papas, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and more. Featured songs include "California Dreamin'," "Take It Easy," "Fire and Rain," and "You've Got a Friend."

Fireworks over Sarasota Orchestra's stage at Ed Smith Stadium

Disco Divas

Concerts

2627

On Sale: No
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 04-09-2027 19:30, Venue: Orioles' Ed Smith Stadium, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 04-10-2027 19:30, Venue: Orioles' Ed Smith Stadium, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Has intermission?: Yes
Conductor: Byron Stripling
Featured Guest Artists: Crystal Monee Hall, Shayna Steele, Kelly Levesque
Series Override: Outdoor Pops

Sarah Fleiss, featured soprano

A Festive Celebration

Concerts

On Sale: No
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 12-26-2026 19:30, Venue: Sarasota Opera House, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Program (short):
- Composer: TCHAIKOVSKY, Piece: Overture from {i}The Nutcracker{/i}
- Composer: BEACH, Piece: {i}Bal masqué{/i}
- Composer: MOZART, Piece: Exsultate, jubilate
- Composer: HANDEL, Piece: "Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion" from {i}Messiah{/i}
- Composer: BRITTEN, Piece: {i}Men of Goodwill{/i}, Variations on a Christmas Carol
- Composer: Andrew BALFOUR, Piece: {i}Kiwetin-acahcos{/i} ({i}North Star{/i})
- Composer: SIBELIUS, Piece: {i}Andante festivo{/i}
- Composer: SIBELIUS, Piece: {i}Finlandia{/i}
Has intermission?: Yes
Conductor: Naomi Woo
Featured Guest Artists: None/Single Artist, Sarah Fleiss
Program: 2627 | D2 | TCHAIKOVSKY Nutcracker Overture, 2627 | D2 | BEACH Bal masque, 2627 | D2 | MOZART Exsultate jubilate, 2627 | D2 | HANDEL Rejoice greatly, 2627 | D2 | Britten Men of Goodwill Variations on a Christmas Carol, 2627 | D2 | BALFOUR Kiwetin-acahcos, 2627 | D2 | SIBELIUS Andante festivo, 2627 | D2 | SIBELIUS Finlandia

Brighten your holiday season with a festive program featuring classical holiday favorites. Canadian conductor Naomi Woo makes her Sarasota Orchestra debut leading music from both The Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah. Soprano Sarah Fleiss joins for Mozart’s exquisite Exsultate, jubilate for voice and small ensemble. Britten’s Men of Goodwill is a set of variations on “God rest ye merry, gentlemen.” Canadian Andrew Balfour’s gentle Kiwetin-acahcos (North Star) celebrates the beauty of Canada’s far north.

Beethoven Bookends

Concerts

On Sale: No
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 05-08-2027 19:30, Venue: Sarasota Opera House, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Program (short):
- Composer: BEETHOVEN, Piece: Symphony No. 2
- Composer: BEETHOVEN, Piece: Symphony No. 8
Has intermission?: Yes
Conductor: Giancarlo Guerrero
Program: 2627 | D3 | Beethoven Symphony No 2, 2627 | D3 | Beethoven Symphony No 8

Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero leads a fascinating look into two of Beethoven’s brilliant, but less well-known symphonies. On the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's death, discover these two works of genius, every bit as deserving of celebration as his more famous symphonies. The extraordinary Second Symphony was composed in 1802 as Beethoven’s hearing loss worsened. The Eighth Symphony was one of Beethoven’s favorites for its quirky, fun-loving nature. He described this rowdy work as “unbuttoned!”

Classical Music Humor

Concerts

On Sale: No
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 10-03-2026 19:30, Venue: Sarasota Opera House, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Program (short):
- Composer: ROSSINI, Piece: Overture to {i}The Barber of Seville{/i}
- Composer: HAYDN, Piece: Andante from Symphony No. 94 {i}(Surprise){/i}
- Composer: MOZART, Piece: Menuetto maestoso from {i}Ein musikalischer spass (A Musical Joke){/i}
- Composer: STRAUSS, JR., Piece: {i}Thunder and Lightning{/i} Polka
- Composer: Michael DAUGHERTY, Piece: {i}Le Tombeau de Liberace{/i}
- Composer: PROKOFIEV, Piece: Symphony No. 1 {i}(Classical){/i}
Has intermission?: Yes
Conductor: Giancarlo Guerrero
Featured Guest Artists: None/Single Artist, Terrence Wilson
Program: 2627 | D1 | ROSSINI Overture to The Barber of Seville, 2627 | D1 | HAYDN Symphony No. 94 in G major "Surprise" II. Andante, 2627 | D1 | MOZART Menuetto maestoso from Ein musikalischer Spass, 2627 | D1 | STRAUSS Thunder and Lightning Polka, 2627 | D1 | DAUGHERTY Le Tombeau de Liberace, 2627 | D1 | PROKOFIEV classical symphony

The Discoveries season opens with a lighthearted program of classical music humor. From Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville, forever linked to Maestro Bugs Bunny, to Mozart’s A Musical Joke, featuring purposely “wrong” notes, this program is proof that musical genius has a funny side. Pianist Terrence Wilson joins in the fun for Michael Daugherty’s Le Tombeau de Liberace, a flamboyant, kitschy, and virtuosic musical tribute to the entertainer Liberace.