Sarasota Orchestra

Concerts

Hidden Treasures

Concerts

On Sale: Yes
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 10-04-2025 19:30, Venue: Sarasota Opera House, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7571/7682, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No, Button Text Override: Add to flex
Event Cancelled: No
Program (short):
- Composer: BEETHOVEN, Piece: Overture to {i}Fidelio{/i}
- Composer: TCHAIKOVSKY, Piece: Variations on a Rococo Theme (original version)
- Composer: MAHLER, Piece: {i}Blumine{/i}
- Composer: MOZART, Piece: Symphony No. 31 {i}(Paris){/i}
Has intermission?: No
Featured Guest Artists: None/Single Artist, Oliver Herbert
Program: 2526 | Disc1 | BEETHOVEN Overture to Fidelio, 2526 | Disc1 | TCHAIKOVSKY Variations on a Rococo Theme (original version), 2526 | Disc1 | MAHLER Blumine, 2526 | Disc1 | MOZART Symphony No. 31 (Paris)

This program showcases lesser-known versions of famous works. Beethoven wrote three overtures to his opera Fidelio, but was still unsatisfied. The concert features his fourth and final version. Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations was altered by the cellist who premiered it, becoming the standard version. The original version of the work as Tchaikovsky composed it will be performed. Mahler’s Blumine was cut by the composer from his Symphony No. 1. In this concert, it stands on its own. Mozart composed two different slow movements for his Symphony No. 31, hoping to generate more audience enthusiasm. Sarasota Orchestra performs both movements, and our audience members will decide which they prefer!

Bernstein and Mahler

Concerts

On Sale: Yes
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 04-17-2026 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7586/7667, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 04-18-2026 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7586/7674, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 04-19-2026 14:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7586/7681, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Program (short):
- Composer: BERNSTEIN, Piece: Serenade (after Plato’s {i}Symposium{/i})
- Composer: MAHLER, Piece: Symphony No. 5
Has intermission?: No
Featured Guest Artists: None/Single Artist, Chee-Yun
Program: 2526 | MW7 | BERNSTEIN Serenade after Plato’s Symposium, 2526 | MW7 | MAHLER Symphony No. 5

Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero conducts a richly compelling program pairing Leonard Bernstein and Gustav Mahler. Violinist Chee-Yun brings her “high gloss tone” (The New York Times) to Bernstein’s Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium). The masterwork is an exploration of the nature and purpose of love and is one of Bernstein’s most lyrical compositions. Mahler’s Fifth Symphony is a towering work, showcasing an enormous orchestra and Mahler’s legendary emotional power. Fierce yet uplifting, it provides a majestic conclusion to the Masterworks season.

Beethoven's Fifth

Concerts

On Sale: Yes
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 03-19-2026 19:30, Venue: Neel Performing Arts Center, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7585/7662, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 03-20-2026 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7585/7666, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 03-21-2026 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7585/7673, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 03-22-2026 14:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7585/7680, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Program (short):
- Composer: BRAHMS, Piece: Academic Festival Overture
- Composer: DVOŘÁK, Piece: Cello Concerto
- Composer: BEETHOVEN, Piece: Symphony No. 5
Has intermission?: No
Conductor: Katharina Wincor
Featured Guest Artists: None/Single Artist, Zlatomir Fung
Program: 2526 | MW6 | BRAHMS Academic Festival Overture, 2526 | MW6 | DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto, 2526 | MW6 | BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

The program features Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony, whose four opening notes are recognized the world over and whose sheer power remains unmatched. One of the most popular symphonies of all time, every performance brings something memorable to enthusiastic audiences. Brahms composed his Academic Festival Overture as a musical thank-you for his awarding of an honorary doctorate. The lighthearted work incorporates several student “beer hall” songs and spotlights Brahms’ sense of humor. Cellist Zlatomir Fung performs Dvořák’s glorious Cello Concerto, adored for its nobility and sentimentality.

Rite of Spring

Concerts

On Sale: Yes
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 02-27-2026 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7584/7665, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 02-28-2026 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7584/7672, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 03-01-2026 14:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7584/7679, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Program (short):
- Composer: JOAN TOWER, Piece: {i}1920/2019{/i}
- Composer: MOZART, Piece: Violin Concerto No. 5 {i}(Turkish){/i}
- Composer: STRAVINSKY, Piece: {i}The Rite of Spring{/i}
Has intermission?: No
Conductor: Giancarlo Guerrero
Featured Guest Artists: None/Single Artist, Benjamin Beilman
Program: 2526 | MW5 | TOWER 1920/2019, 2526 | MW5 | MOZART Violin Concerto No. 5, 2526 | MW5 | STRAVINSKY The Rite of Spring

Spring is in the air as Sarasota Orchestra offers a program of monumental works, each of which broke new ground in their day. Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was so novel and unprecedented that a riot broke out at its premiere. A tour de force for the orchestra musicians and conductor, its live performance is a not-to-be-missed event. Violinist Benjamin Beilman brings his trademark flair to Mozart’s final and most virtuosic violin concerto. The program opens with Joan Tower’s 1920/2019, composed in 2019 to honor the 1920 passage of the 19th amendment granting women suffrage.

Variations on America

Concerts

On Sale: Yes
Flex: Yes
Date(s):
- Date: 02-12-2026 19:30, Venue: Neel Performing Arts Center, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7583/7661, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 02-13-2026 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7583/7664, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 02-14-2026 19:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7583/7671, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
- Date: 02-15-2026 14:30, Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Purchase URL: https://buy.sarasotaorchestra.org/7583/7678, Is Sold Out?: No, Is Cancelled?: No, Is Postponed?: No
Event Cancelled: No
Program (short):
- Composer: ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK, Piece: {i}An American Port of Call{/i}
- Composer: GERSHWIN, Piece: Concerto in F
- Composer: IVES/ arr. SCHUMAN, Piece: {i}Variations on America{/i}
- Composer: DAWSON, Piece: {i}Negro Folk Symphony{/i}
Has intermission?: No
Conductor: Giancarlo Guerrero
Featured Guest Artists: None/Single Artist, Clayton Stephenson
Program: 2526 | MW4 | Hailstork Port of Call, 2526 | MW4 | GERSHWIN Concerto in F, 2526 | MW4 | IVES Variations on America, 2526 | MW4 | DAWSON Negro Folk Symphony

Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero opens the rich treasure chest of American music. Adolphus Hailstork’s An American Port of Call captures the relentless energy of the port of Norfolk, Virginia. Pianist Clayton Stephenson performs Gershwin’s jazz and blues-infused Concerto in F. Charles Ives composed his delightful and quirky Variations on “America” when he was only 17. Audiences at the 1934 premiere of Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony were so moved that they erupted in applause at the end of each movement. Decades later, the extraordinary work has returned to the standard repertoire with accolades.