MUSIC SCENE: Escape to the Extraordinary -The Florida Orchestra 2025-2026 Season
Season 2, Episode 1197, Oct 01, 04:01 PM
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In this episode of MUSIC SCENE, host Nanette Wiser previews the upcoming concerts and events at The Florida Orchestra (TFO) , including their collaboration with St. Pete Opera and the gala in February with Audra McDonald. Calendar/Events Tickets
👉Be sure to tune in to CLASSICAL SCENE with Dr. Victor Minke Huls, principal cellist TFO and his guests for more.
OCTOBER 2025 EVENTS
Inside the Music
Inside An Alpine Symphony
With humor and insight, Michael Francis takes you on a journey through a single work before a full performance. You’ll never listen to music the same way again. Select excerpts will be performed.
Thur, Oct 2, 7:30 pm, Mahaffey Theater
More Info
October 3 - October 5
Hough Family Foundation Masterworks
Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony
Scale the highest musical mountain as Michael Francis brings together more than 100 musicians – onstage and off – to perform Richard Strauss’ spectacular tone poem An Alpine Symphony for the first time in 25 years. Then, let Concertmaster Jeffrey Multer and the sublime violin solo of Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending lift your spirits before you are swept away by the grandeur of Respighi's Pines of Rome.
Fri, Oct 3, 8 pm, Straz Center, Morsani
Sun, Oct 5, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater Matinee
More Info
October 8 - October 9
Morning Matinees Presented by The Helen Torres Foundation
The Roaring ‘20s
Featuring TJ Graf on Tuba
Greatest hits of the 1720s, 1820s, 1920s and 2020s, with Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto and more.
Wed, Oct 8, 11 am, Straz Center, Ferguson
Thur, Oct 9, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
More Info
October 10 - October 12
Raymond James Pops
Summer Breeze - Yacht Rock Classics
Set sail on a musical journey into the smooth sounds of the ’70s and ’80s in a unique orchestra experience. Immerse yourself in the iconic melodies of yacht rock legends such as Hall & Oats, Toto, Christopher Cross, The Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffett and Steely Dan. All amplified by the power of The Florida Orchestra.
Fri, Oct 10, 8 pm, Straz Center, Ferguson
Sun, Oct 12, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater – Matinee
More Info
October 14 Guild Event La Tea Do
An elegant afternoon benefitting The Florida Orchestra.
Tues, Oct 14, 2-4 pm, St. Petersburg Women's Club
More Info
October 18 - October 19
Hough Family Foundation Masterworks
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
Soloist Benjamin Beilman ignites the fiery passion of Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto. Michael Francis finishes the evening with acclaimed American composer John Adams’ Harmonielehre, a thriller that marries Minimalism with Mahler.
Sat, Oct 18, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Oct 19, 2 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall Matinee
More Info
October 25
Raymond James Pops in the Park
Free Pops in the Park
Pack a blanket and picnic for free music under the stars – a Florida Orchestra tradition for nearly 30 years. Perfect for date night or family time, featuring film scores, Broadway hits and symphonic favorites. Chelsea Gallo conducts.
Sat, Oct 25, 7 pm, Vinoy Park, St Petersburg
More Info
October 26
Full Orchestra Family Concert
Haunted Halls Family Concert
Show off your favorite costume at our popular Halloween-themed concert, with music so good it’s scary. Featuring a full orchestra of spooktacular musicians for goblins of all ages. Daniel Black conducts.
Sun, Oct 26, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater
ABOUT TFO The Florida Orchestra’s mission is to INSPIRE | EDUCATE | UNITE to build community through the power of music. Celebrating our 58th season in 2025-26, The Florida Orchestra is the largest professional orchestra in the state and the only arts organization that bridges the bay. TFO employs 70 full-time professional musicians and conductors, under the artistic leadership of internationally acclaimed Music Director Michael Francis. Each season, the orchestra performs more than 100 concerts in venues throughout Tampa Bay, including a wide range of classical, popular, film and family-friendly music, as well as performances with global stars such as Wicked star Cynthia Erivo. Beyond the concert halls, TFO programs bring the transformative power of music to schools, youth and senior centers, to underserved areas and to those who would not have such opportunities otherwise. Through concerts and education/community programs combined, TFO serves more than 155,000 residents each year – nearly half through free or low-cost programs. We put instruments in the hands of children, offer inspiration and joy to all ages and stages, comfort for those who most need it, and bring our community together.Â
#thefloridaorchestra #TFO #michaelfrancis #chelseagallo #victorminkehuls #classicalscene #seasonpreview #nanettewiser #musicscene
👉Be sure to tune in to CLASSICAL SCENE with Dr. Victor Minke Huls, principal cellist TFO and his guests for more.
OCTOBER 2025 EVENTS
Inside the Music
Inside An Alpine Symphony
With humor and insight, Michael Francis takes you on a journey through a single work before a full performance. You’ll never listen to music the same way again. Select excerpts will be performed.
Thur, Oct 2, 7:30 pm, Mahaffey Theater
More Info
October 3 - October 5
Hough Family Foundation Masterworks
Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony
Scale the highest musical mountain as Michael Francis brings together more than 100 musicians – onstage and off – to perform Richard Strauss’ spectacular tone poem An Alpine Symphony for the first time in 25 years. Then, let Concertmaster Jeffrey Multer and the sublime violin solo of Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending lift your spirits before you are swept away by the grandeur of Respighi's Pines of Rome.
Fri, Oct 3, 8 pm, Straz Center, Morsani
Sun, Oct 5, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater Matinee
More Info
October 8 - October 9
Morning Matinees Presented by The Helen Torres Foundation
The Roaring ‘20s
Featuring TJ Graf on Tuba
Greatest hits of the 1720s, 1820s, 1920s and 2020s, with Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto and more.
Wed, Oct 8, 11 am, Straz Center, Ferguson
Thur, Oct 9, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater
More Info
October 10 - October 12
Raymond James Pops
Summer Breeze - Yacht Rock Classics
Set sail on a musical journey into the smooth sounds of the ’70s and ’80s in a unique orchestra experience. Immerse yourself in the iconic melodies of yacht rock legends such as Hall & Oats, Toto, Christopher Cross, The Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffett and Steely Dan. All amplified by the power of The Florida Orchestra.
Fri, Oct 10, 8 pm, Straz Center, Ferguson
Sun, Oct 12, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater – Matinee
More Info
October 14 Guild Event La Tea Do
An elegant afternoon benefitting The Florida Orchestra.
Tues, Oct 14, 2-4 pm, St. Petersburg Women's Club
More Info
October 18 - October 19
Hough Family Foundation Masterworks
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
Soloist Benjamin Beilman ignites the fiery passion of Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto. Michael Francis finishes the evening with acclaimed American composer John Adams’ Harmonielehre, a thriller that marries Minimalism with Mahler.
Sat, Oct 18, 8 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Sun, Oct 19, 2 pm, Ruth Eckerd Hall Matinee
More Info
October 25
Raymond James Pops in the Park
Free Pops in the Park
Pack a blanket and picnic for free music under the stars – a Florida Orchestra tradition for nearly 30 years. Perfect for date night or family time, featuring film scores, Broadway hits and symphonic favorites. Chelsea Gallo conducts.
Sat, Oct 25, 7 pm, Vinoy Park, St Petersburg
More Info
October 26
Full Orchestra Family Concert
Haunted Halls Family Concert
Show off your favorite costume at our popular Halloween-themed concert, with music so good it’s scary. Featuring a full orchestra of spooktacular musicians for goblins of all ages. Daniel Black conducts.
Sun, Oct 26, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater
ABOUT TFO The Florida Orchestra’s mission is to INSPIRE | EDUCATE | UNITE to build community through the power of music. Celebrating our 58th season in 2025-26, The Florida Orchestra is the largest professional orchestra in the state and the only arts organization that bridges the bay. TFO employs 70 full-time professional musicians and conductors, under the artistic leadership of internationally acclaimed Music Director Michael Francis. Each season, the orchestra performs more than 100 concerts in venues throughout Tampa Bay, including a wide range of classical, popular, film and family-friendly music, as well as performances with global stars such as Wicked star Cynthia Erivo. Beyond the concert halls, TFO programs bring the transformative power of music to schools, youth and senior centers, to underserved areas and to those who would not have such opportunities otherwise. Through concerts and education/community programs combined, TFO serves more than 155,000 residents each year – nearly half through free or low-cost programs. We put instruments in the hands of children, offer inspiration and joy to all ages and stages, comfort for those who most need it, and bring our community together.Â
#thefloridaorchestra #TFO #michaelfrancis #chelseagallo #victorminkehuls #classicalscene #seasonpreview #nanettewiser #musicscene