Southwest Florida Symphony

Masterworks Series season opening a resounding success

For modest-sized region, few hundred guests at cultural event in Southwest Florida is a big victory. Opening night for the Southwest Florida Symphony’s Masterworks Series in November, on the other hand, drew more than 1,200 patrons, a resounding success and celebration of 30 years at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, the Symphony Society’s 56th season overall. “We are very fortunate, with [our] overwhelming support,” says Amy Ginsburg, Southwest Florida Symphony’s executive director, noting that two orchestra players―bassist Alex Al- banese and flutist Bill Larsen―played in the Masterworks performance on Nov. 12. They are remaining members from the symphony’s premier at the BBMann in 1986.

The Masterworks Series profiles symphonic styles, inviting patrons to a pre-concert lecture with guest performers and conductor Nir Kabaretti. The symphony also offers a Pops Series ( Big Bands Through the Decades/ Feb. 3, for instance), a youth orchestra, and the favored Small Stages (chamber) Symphonies (( Four Seasons Concerts/ Jan. 12) performed at venues in Southwest Florida.

Details are at swflso.org.

Opening night concert-goers included (starting from left) Daniela Jaeger, Friedrich Jaeger, Tina Tober and Guy Tober; Lynn Pember and Ed Pember; Bob Fuchs and Jeanne Fuchs; and Sunny Reuter, Southwest Florida Symphony conductor Nir Kabaretti, Karen...