The Southwest Florida Symphony announces its 62nd Concert Season

Tickets on sale now

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 1, 2022) – The Southwest Florida Symphony, Lee County’s only professional orchestra and the fourth oldest in the state, announces its greatly anticipated 2022-2023 season lineup of performances. The Symphony’s 62nd season features a new, yet locally beloved Music Director Maestro Radu Paponiu on the podium, one of classical music’s most celebrated violinists and innovative music by diverse and groundbreaking composers.

The Symphony softly opens its season in October with a TinyConcert – MiniMasterworks, featuring the orchestra’s exceptional professional musicians who will perform the Mendelssohn Octet and Mozart String Quartet No. 19. The Masterworks Classical Concert Series features world renowned guest violinist, Gil Shaham, the return of Sphinx Competition winner, cellist, Thomas Mesa and partnerships with Opera Naples and Naples based Grand Piano Series. The Pops Series has evolved into Brave New Pops; innovative programming where the orchestra co-stars in groundbreaking performances of fusion concerts, multimedia presentations and orchestral arrangements of contemporary rock & roll. This year’s Brave New Pops features the long-awaited music of Elton John in Remember When Rock Was Young, the Ocala Symphony’s Music Director Matt Wardell with his program, Heroes: Bowie & Glass, featuring his fusion of David Bowie and classical composer Phillip Glass, and the return of local favorite, Steve Hackman with his Bohemian Rhapsody in Blue fusion. We’re also excited to present a new Christmas tradition with a Holiday Pops program that’s been uniquely created for the Southwest Florida Symphony by a regular visitor to the Symphony stage; an audience and orchestra favorite alike, Maestro Andrew Lipke, who has curated the SWFLSO Christmas Show!, which will appear at three locations between Lee and Charlotte Counties.

Further details on the Symphony’s 62nd season are available by calling (239) 418-1500 or online at WWW.SWFLSO.ORG. Season subscriptions and single tickets to some individual concerts are currently on sale.

– Event Title: MiniMasterworks – Mozart & Mendelssohn
o Location: Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33908
o Cost: $40
o Date: Oct. 13, 2022
o Time: 7 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – Classical concert performance.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quartet no. 19 in C major, K. 465 “Dissonance”
Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20

– Event Title: MiniMasterworks – Mozart & Mendelssohn
o Location: Gulf Theater, 900 West Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950
o Cost: $30
o Date: Oct. 14, 2022
o Time: 7 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – Classical concert performance.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quartet no. 19 in C major, K. 465 “Dissonance”
Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20

– Event Title: MiniMasterworks – Mozart & Mendelssohn
o Location: Bell Tower, 13499 S Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33907
o Cost: $30
o Date: Oct. 15, 2022
o Time: 7 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – Classical concert performance.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quartet no. 19 in C major, K. 465 “Dissonance”
Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20

– Event Title: Holiday Pops – The SWFLSO Christmas Show!
o Location: Gulf Theater, 900 West Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950
o Cost: $30
o Date: Dec. 11, 2022
o Time: 4 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – “In Search of The Perfect Christmas Song” featuring guest artist, Maestro Andrew Lipke. Join us for a journey through a host of various Christmas and holiday songs in search of what makes them so timeless. Along the way, we’ll explore an instrumental mash-up of Nutcracker themes blended with holiday favorites and write brand new lyrics with audience participation for “The 12 Days of FLORIDA Christmas.”

– Event Title: Holiday Pops – The SWFLSO Christmas Show!
o Location: The Village Church at Shell Point, 15100 Shell Point Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33908
o Cost: $35
o Date: Dec. 12, 2022
o Time: 7 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – “In Search of The Perfect Christmas Song” featuring guest artist, Maestro Andrew Lipke. Join us for a journey through a host of various Christmas and holiday songs in search of what makes them so timeless. Along the way, we’ll explore an instrumental mash-up of Nutcracker themes blended with holiday favorites and write brand new lyrics with audience participation for “The 12 Days of FLORIDA Christmas.”

– Event Title: Holiday Pops – The SWFLSO Christmas Show!
o Location: First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, 9751 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
o Cost: $25
o Date: Dec. 13, 2022
o Time: 7 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – “In Search of The Perfect Christmas Song” featuring guest artist, Maestro Andrew Lipke. Join us for a journey through a host of various Christmas and holiday songs in search of what makes them so timeless. Along the way, we’ll explore an instrumental mash-up of Nutcracker themes blended with holiday favorites and write brand new lyrics with audience participation for “The 12 Days of FLORIDA Christmas.”

– Event Title: Brave New Pops 1 – Remember When Rock Was Young
o Location: Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950
o Cost: $78-$103
o Date: Jan. 20, 2023
o Time: 7 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – A full-strength stage experience like you’ve never seen before! Capturing the music, costumes, and charisma of Sir Elton John, this show leaves audiences gasping for breath from all the fun they’ve had. Starring the multiple award-winning, multitalented singer/actor/pianist Craig A. Meyer, this spectacular theatrical experience is a musical journey celebrating decades of chart-topping hits.

– Event Title: Brave New Pops 1 – Remember When Rock Was Young
o Location: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919
o Cost: $25+
o Date: Jan. 21, 2023
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – A full-strength stage experience like you’ve never seen before! Capturing the music, costumes, and charisma of Sir Elton John, this show leaves audiences gasping for breath from all the fun they’ve had. Starring the multiple award-winning, multitalented singer/actor/pianist Craig A. Meyer, this spectacular theatrical experience is a musical journey celebrating decades of chart-topping hits.

– Event Title: Masterworks 1
o Location: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919
o Cost: $25+
o Date: Jan. 28, 2023
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – Classical concert performance featuring violinist Gil Shaham, conducted by Radu Paponiu. Conductor/Guest Artist pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m.; concert at 7:30 p.m.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute, K. 620: Overture
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Violin Concerto in G minor, Op.80
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

– Event Title: Brave New Pops 2 – Bowie and Glass: A Symphonic Tribute
o Location: BIG ARTS – Sanibel Island, 900 Dunlop Rd., Sanibel, FL 33957
o Cost: $72
o Date: Feb. 10, 2023
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – The indelible music of David Bowie and composer Philip Glass. The Southwest Florida Symphony and the Voltron Collective team up to bring you Glass’ Symphony No. 4 Heroes juxtaposed with the Bowie songs that inspired it (and all of us!).

– Event Title: Brave New Pops 2 – Bowie and Glass: A Symphonic Tribute
o Location: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919
o Cost: $25+
o Date: Feb. 11, 2023
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – The indelible music of David Bowie and composer Philip Glass. The Southwest Florida Symphony and the Voltron Collective team up to bring you Glass’ Symphony No. 4 Heroes juxtaposed with the Bowie songs that inspired it (and all of us!).

– Event Title: Brave New Pops 2 – Bowie and Glass: A Symphonic Tribute
o Location: Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950
o Cost: $78-$103
o Date: Feb. 12, 2023
o Time: 4 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – The indelible music of David Bowie and composer Philip Glass. The Southwest Florida Symphony and the Voltron Collective team up to bring you Glass’ Symphony No. 4 Heroes juxtaposed with the Bowie songs that inspired it (and all of us!).

– Event Title: Masterworks 2
o Location: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919
o Cost: $25+
o Date: March 11, 2023
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – Classical concert performance featuring cellist Thomas Mesa, conducted by Radu Paponiu. Conductor/Guest Artist pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m.; concert at 7:30 p.m.
Jessie Montgomery: Overture
Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations

– Event Title: Masterworks 3
o Location: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919
o Cost: $25+
o Date: April 1, 2023
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – In partnership with Opera Naples, a Night at the Opera returns with various popular arias conducted by Radu Paponiu, narrated by Robert Van Winkle. Conductor/Guest Artist pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m.; concert at 7:30 p.m.

– Event Title: Masterworks 4
o Location: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919
o Cost: $25+
o Date: April 22, 2023
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – Partnership with Grand Piano Series of Naples featuring pianist Ying Li, conducted by Radu Paponiu. Conductor/Guest Artist pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m.; concert at 7:30 p.m.
Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Modest Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel): Pictures at an Exhibition

– Event Title: Brave New Pops 3 – The Orchestra: Starring Former Members of Electric Light Orchestra
o Location: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919
o Cost: $25+
o Date: May 6, 2023
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – Not all rock bands are created equal! THE ORCHESTRA Starring Former Members ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA is living proof. With a membership pedigree from 1972 to present, THE ORCHESTRA Starring Former Members ELO has launched their 2023 TOUR, heralding a continuing era of unparalleled symphonic rock.

– Event Title: Brave New Pops 3 – The Orchestra: Starring Former Members of Electric Light Orchestra
o Location: Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950
o Cost: $78-$103
o Date: May 7, 2023
o Time: 4 p.m.
o Website: swflso.org
o Details – Not all rock bands are created equal! THE ORCHESTRA Starring Former Members ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA is living proof. With a membership pedigree from 1972 to present, THE ORCHESTRA Starring Former Members ELO has launched their 2023 TOUR, heralding a continuing era of unparalleled symphonic rock.

Contact:
Angela Bell, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and PR, 239-275-5758, [email protected]