Conductor's Corner
Pre-Concert Lectures for Masterworks
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Location
David Cohen Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Conductor's Corner Schedule
Beethoven & Prokofiev
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 2:00 pm
Speaker: Giancarlo Guerrero
Tchaikovsky & Strauss
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | 2:00 pm
Speaker: Giancarlo Guerrero
Mozart & Dvořák
Wednesday, January 6, 2027 | 2:00 pm
Speaker: Benjamin Manis
Carmina Burana
Wednesday, February 3, 2027 | 2:00 pm
Speaker: Giancarlo Guerrero
Bernstein & Barber
Wednesday, February 17, 2027 | 2:00 pm
Speaker: Giancarlo Guerrero
Brahms & Elgar
Wednesday, March 3, 2027 | 2:00 pm
Speaker: Christian Reif
Chopin & Mahler
Wednesday, March 31, 2027 | 2:00 pm
Speaker: Giancarlo Guerrero
WELCOME TO CONDUCTOR'S CORNER
Peek inside the mind of a maestro. Each Conductor’s Corner offers the opportunity to enhance your concert experience with a deeper understanding of Sarasota Orchestra’s 2026-2027 Masterworks programs and the artistry that brings the music to life. Join us in David Cohen Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center to hear insightful stories, learn the secrets inside the masterpieces, and discover how conductors shape the listening journey of a live performance.
Conductor’s Corner Individual Title Sponsors
David and Linda Green
Micki Sellman
Conductor’s Corner Corporate Title Sponsor:
Meet Your Hosts
GIANCARLO GUERRERO
Six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Giancarlo Guerrero is acclaimed for his imaginative programming, expressive artistry, and dynamic leadership. Praised for performances that are both powerful and nuanced, he serves as music director of Sarasota Orchestra and artistic director and principal conductor of Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival. He is also music director laureate of the Nashville Symphony, where he led the orchestra for 16 years and championed American composers through performances and recordings.
BENJAMIN MANIS
American conductor Benjamin Manis is recognized for his thoughtful approach to music-making and his ability to build meaningful connections among musicians, composers, and audiences. Equally at home on the concert stage and in the opera house, he has conducted leading orchestras and festivals across the country, including the Utah Symphony and Grand Teton Music Festival, where he served as resident conductor.
CHRISTIAN REIF
Conductor Christian Reif is celebrated for his dynamic leadership on the podium and imaginative programming. He is music director designate of the Wuppertal Opera & Symphony Orchestra and chief conductor of Gävle Symphony Orchestra in Sweden. Since 2022, he has served as music director of Minnesota’s Lakes Area Music Festival, championing artistic excellence and accessibility.
