Sinfonia Gulf Coast Announces 2013-2014 Season

The 2013-2014 season marks Sinfonia’s eighth year of innovative musical programming as the region’s only fully professional symphony orchestra. Maintaining the tradition of “symphony redefined,” the non-profit symphony will present a stellar line up of concerts featuring the orchestra and world-renowned guest artists. Dubbed “Musical Identities,” the season culminates in the annual gala event featuring Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer/actress Patti LuPone.

The main season begins on Thursday, October 24 with the regional premier of a special work for guzheng and orchestra. Through a grant from the Hanyi Corporation, Sinfonia was awarded funds to cover the costs of presenting this incredible concerto with Beijing-based and internationally renowned soloist Su Chang. A romantic orchestral concerto setting provides the backdrop for the guzheng, a Chinese zither similar to the Japanese koto. The concerto shows off the guzheng's mesmerizing timbre and lightning agility in a unique blend of the familiar and the exotic. Also on the concert is Rimsky-Korsakov’s timeless classic “Scheherazade.”

Sinfonia’s annual holiday concert on December 20 at Destiny Worship Center will feature orchestral arrangements of the most popular holiday classics including excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” performed by dancers from the Northwest Florida Ballet. Jamie Bernstein, the daughter of iconic American conductor/composer Leonard Bernstein, will host the January 24 set of concerts entitled “The Bernstein Beat.” More than 1,000 Okaloosa and Walton County youth will enjoy a special morning performance featuring Ms. Bernstein and the most popular music of her late father. 

The evening concert, at Destiny Worship Center, includes Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story” and the regional premier of Michael Daugherty’s “Fire & Blood,” performed by Sinfonia concertmaster Mari Thomas. “Billboard” chart-topping and musically groundbreaking string quintet SYBARITE5, will be in residence February 14 & 15 at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall, performing several concerts and educational activities.

On Saturday, March 29, 2013, the Emerald Coast Convention Center serves as the backdrop for Sinfonia’s annual gala event featuring the incomparable star of Broadway, T.V. and film, Ms. Patti LuPone. The evening features Sinfonia and Ms. LuPone in her “Coulda, Shoulda,Woulda” tour de force through all the beloved Broadway songs that made her famous. Gala table seating and single seats are available.

Season tickets, which feature premier seating (including gala table seating) for all five concerts, are on sale for $265 each. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Presenting sponsors for the 2013-2014 season are Legendary Marine and Chris Craft. Presenting concert sponsors for 2013-2014 are Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and La Florida Real Estate. Additional presenting sponsors include media sponsors VIE Magazine, SoWal.com and accommodations sponsor ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call  850-269-7129.