South Florida Symphony Orchestra Opens 28th Season with Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Beethoven & Massenet at The Parker 11/5/25
South Florida Symphony Orchestra Opens 28th Season with Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Beethoven & Massenet at The Parker
Wednesday, 11/05/2025-, 07:30 pm-09:30 pm
The Parker (Parker Playhouse)
707 NE 8th Street,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33304
Website
Cost: Tickets start at $35.
South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s (SFSO) 28th season, “Juxtapositions,” ignites with a powerful reminder that even in darkness, light will always find its way. Led by award-winning Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso, SFSO launches the electrifying evening with Beethoven’s freedom-fighting Egmont Overture followed by Saint-Saëns’ fiery Cello Concerto No. 1 and Massenet’s hushed “Méditation” from Thaïs featuring GRAMMY®-winning cellist virtuoso Zuill Bailey. Capping the evening is Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 – a profound work that took the composer decades to complete, beautifully articulating one’s journey from darkness to triumph. The concert will take place on Wednesday, November 5, at 7:30 p.m., at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale (707 NE 8th St.). Enjoy a pre-concert chat with Dr. Alan Mason 30 minutes before the concert, featuring in-depth conversation and insights about the works and composers.
A work of extraordinary triumph that took decades to complete, Brahms’ First Symphony is an epic, deeply human piece reflecting the composer’s battles with self-doubt and perfectionism under the weight of Beethoven’s omnipresent shadow. From its brooding, stormy opening to the life-affirming finale, Brahms beautifully traces one’s journey from darkness to light. A signature of this work is the candescent French horn, brilliantly illuminating the path from despair to victory.
Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 is a whirlwind of movement—elegant yet fiery, delicate yet commanding. With no pause from start to finish, the music flows in an unbroken surge of passion and virtuosity. Audience favorite cellist Zuill Bailey returns to SFSO bringing his signature artistry to this expressive work.
Beethoven’s freedom-fighting Egmont Overture portrays the tragic heroism of a man who makes the ultimate sacrifice in defiance of oppression and tyranny.
Originally composed for violin, Massenet’s “Méditation” from Thaïs takes on new depth in this interpretation for cello—an SFSO first. A hushed prayer amid the opera’s high drama, this sublime interlude floats with quiet longing.
SFSO’s 28th season of “Juxtapositions” explores beauty in contrasts, where the bold and the sublime intersect, and timeless masterpieces share the stage with today’s most compelling and celebrated musical voices. From Mozart’s vivacious “Haffner” symphony to the sun-drenched skies of Mendelssohn’s “Italian” and the sweeping emotion of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto — performances burst with color and power. Beethoven’s luminous Piano Concerto No. 4 and Dvořák’s Bohemian Eighth deepen the journey, while Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol whirls with Spanish flair. SFSO is also proud to present upcoming orchestra firsts by GRAMMY-nominated composers, including the Florida premiere of Had to Be by Haitian-American Nathalie Joachim, featuring breakout cellist Seth Parker Woods, and Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances.
From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores including Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Back to the Future, featuring the iconic films screened live with audio and musical accompaniment, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres.
Tickets are on sale now beginning at $35 (plus ticketing fees). Buy tickets online at southfloridasymphony.org or ParkerPlayhouse.com; by phone at (954) 462-0222, press 1; and in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. Season subscriptions are available for the Fort Lauderdale season at The Parker. Discounted subscription packages may be purchased by visiting southfloridasymphony.org/2025-26-season or by calling (954) 522-8445. Subscribers save up to 20% off single ticket prices and have first access to the best seats in the house. Five-concert packages in Fort Lauderdale are available from $180 (prices do not include ticketing fees or Handel’s Messiah tickets).
For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445 or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.
R House
R House
R House
Sandrell Rivers Theatre
The Bass Museum of Art
Jungle Island
R House
The Goodtime Hotel
The Bass Museum of Art
The Gates Hotel South Beach
Pembroke Gardens
CocoWalk
Pérez Art Museum Miami
NAU Lounge at InterContinental at Doral Miami
Catch & Cut
Minibar
Pembroke Lakes Golf and Racquet Club
Children's Harbor
Kaluz Fort Lauderdale
History Fort Lauderdale
Galleria Fort Lauderdale
Tantra Studios
Baker–Hall
Miramar Park of Commerce
Miami International Mall
Tropical Park Stadium
Chimba
History Fort Lauderdale
1111 Lincoln Road
History Fort Lauderdale
Tropical Park Stadium
InterContinental Miami
The Goodtime Hotel
Pembroke Lakes Golf Club
MADE at Citadel
The Bass Museum of Art
Wynwood
Las Olas Oceanside Park
Palm Beach, FL
Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport
Bokamper's, Galt Ocean Mile
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co.
PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary
Giselle Miami
Paya Miami

Lona Cocina & Tequileria
The Bass Museum of Art
The Bass Museum of Art
The Bass Museum of Art
The Bass Museum of Art
The Bass Museum of Art
Roberto C. Goizueta Pavilion, Otto G. Richter Library
The Bass Museum of Art
Museum of Discovery and Science
Pembroke Gardens
The Bass Museum of Art
Hard Rock Stadium
Gulfstream Park Village
CityPlace Doral
Miramar Regional Park
Miramar Regional Park
Lucid Design District
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
The Bass Museum
The Bass Museum of Art
Hollywood Art and Culture Center
Hollywood Art and Culture Center
Sandrell Rivers Theater
The Bass Museum
The Bass Museum of Art
The Bass Museum of Arts
The Bass Museum of Arts
Roberto C. Goizueta Pavilion, Richter Library
The Gates Hotel South Beach
Savor Cinema
Freedom Tower
Church of the Epiphany
Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
The Bass Museum
R House
R House
R House
R House
Bayside Marketplace
Museum of Discovery and Science & AutoNation® IMAX® 3D Theater
Pelican Grand Beach Resort
Gulfstream Park
Bayside Marketplace
The Gates Hotel South Beach
Hotel Continental
K Plaza – Miami Dade College
Jacaranda Golf Club
Cleo at Balfour Miami Beach
Sandrell Rivers Theater
Maurice A. Ferre Park
The Ground
Sagamore Hotel
Bad Parrot Café
The Pool at The Goodtime Hotel
The Parker | Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Bailey Hall at Broward College,
InterContinental Miami
InterContinental Miami
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
The Fillmore Miami Beach
Florida International University, Graham Center
Pérez Art Museum Miami
Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove
MAD Arts
MAD Arts
MAD Arts
Downtown Doral
Subaru of Pembroke Pines
Brickell City Centre
Sunness Supper Club
Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill Fort Lauderdale
Museum of Discovery and Science & AutoNation® IMAX® 3D Theater
Museum of Discovery and Science & AutoNation® IMAX® 3D Theater
Taste Buds Kitchen Miami West
MiniBar Miami
R House
R House
R House
The Gates Hotel South Beach
R House
Galleria Fort Lauderdale
Lakou Miami 207 NE 59th St, Miami, FL 33137
The Creative Yard 2182 Northwest 26th Avenue Miami, FL 33142
Alan and Diane Lieberman Theater
Miami Dade College
loanDepot park
CocoWalk
Locust Projects
Locust Projects
Savage Labs Wynwood
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
AutoNation Chevrolet Greenacres
Museum Of Discovery and Science
Arcano
CocoWalk
Mayfair House Hotel & Garden
Aventura Arts & Cultural Center
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
R house
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
R House
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co.
R House
The Goodtime Hotel
Esplanade at Aventura
The Gates Hotel South Beach
Savor Cinema
Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
The White Orchid
Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
Manuel Artime Theater
Pérez Art Museum Miami
Pérez Art Museum Miami
Pérez Art Museum Miami
Margaritaville Beach Resort
Midwife360
Novotel Miami Brickell
Novotel Miami Brickell
Novotel Miami Brickell
Novotel Miami Brickell
The Wagyu House by Meat N' Bone
The Wagyu House by Meat N' Bone
The Wagyu House by Meat N' Bone
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
Artserve
CityPlace Doral
Jungle Island
R House