Philharmonic’s season inspired by the world
For the 2018-19 season, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will take a world view with programs that blend cultures and styles. Concerts salute Puerto Rico, French composers, Latin American tangos, American blues and New Orleans jazz.
Eric Jacobsen returns for his fourth season as music director.
Among the season’s guest performers: Vocalist and banjo player Rhiannon Giddens, who played Hallie on TV’s “Nashville;” cellist Jan Vogler; Puerto Rican soprano Maria Laetita and comedian Colin Mochrie of TV’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?"
In good news for the orchestra’s bottom line, Fairwinds Credit Union has extended its sponsorship of the Classics Series through the 2020-2021 season.
Puerto Rican-born composer Angelica Negrón will be the season’s composer in residence. The orchestra will perform her compositions and arrangements in four programs.
Classics and Pop series concerts are at the Bob Carr Theater, 401 W. Livingston St., Orlando. The Focus concerts take place at The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando. Current subscribers may renew this month; new subscriptions go on sale in April. For more information, call 407-770-0071 or email boxoffice@orlandophil.org.
Here’s a look at the scheduled concerts:
Classics Series
Pines of Rome, Sept. 29: Respighi’s great work, plus Negrón is introduced with her “Puerto Rican Songs.”
The Planets, Nov. 3: Holsts’ masterpiece and a return by Iranian kamancheh player Kayhan Kalhor.
Tango!, Jan. 19, 2019: Violinist Simone Porter performs “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” plus Sibelius Symphony No. 1.
Beethoven’s 7th, Feb. 23, 2019: Pablo Rus Broseta conducts.
French Soiree, April 27, 2019: Cellist Jan Vogler guests on a program of Saint-Saens, Ravel and Bizet.
Pops Series
American Blues, Oct. 13: Giddens celebrates classics from American composers, including Gershwin and Bernstein.
Home for the Holidays!, Nov. 24: Albert George Schram returns to helm the holiday favorite.
The Second City Guide to the Symphony, Feb. 2, 2019: A blend of original sketch comedy, new music and classical masterworks, led by comedian Mochrie.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, March 9, 2019: Trumpeter Byron Stripling leads a jazz program saluting Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson and Fats Domino.
Star Wars and More, April 13, 2019: John Williams’ music, including “Harry Potter” and “Schindler’s List.”
Focus Series
Schumann and Schumann, Oct. 8: Works by spouses Robert and Clara Schumann. Tchaikovsky & Mozart,
Nov. 19: With guest conductor Laura Jackson. Mahler’s Song of the
Earth, Jan. 14, 2019: With alto Rachel Calloway and tenor Alex Richardson. Mozart’s Symphony No.
33, March 18, 2019: With guest conductor Ruth Reinhardt. Mendelssohn’s Italian,
April 8, 2019: With a tuba concerto by Orlando composer Benoit Glazer and a world premiere from Negrón.