Michael Francis - The Florida Orchestra

Why is Handel’s Messiah so popular after nearly 300 years?

Post author:Kurt Loft
Post published:November 30, 2023
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Could any single piece of music be more popular and performed than Handel’s Messiah? Yes, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Pachelbel’s Canon take in some pretty good numbers, but it’s hard…

Opening night afterthoughts: The big bang of percussion, The Planets

Post author:Kurt Loft
Post published:October 2, 2023
Post category:ALL POSTS Masterworks Michael Francis
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Boy, am I feeling old. The opening of every music season takes me yet another year from my very first Florida Orchestra concert, when the musicians kicked off the 1981-82…

Rare chamber version offers ‘mesmerizing experience’ with Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7

Post author:Kurt Loft
Post published:April 18, 2023
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Mention the name Anton Bruckner and you might expect crickets from friends and two-for-one tickets at the box office. Bruckner can be a tough sell, as his colossal, unhurried works…

Carmina Burana Afterthoughts: A rousing start to the season

Post author:Kurt Loft
Post published:October 10, 2022
Post category:ALL POSTS Masterworks Michael Francis
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If you attended the Tampa Bay Bucs game and a TFO concert over the weekend, you got a supercharged dose of the same music. Both football and orchestra fans felt…

One year later, TFO performs 50th live concert amid pandemic

Post author:Kelly Smith
Post published:March 1, 2021
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One year after the coronavirus brought our world to a standstill, The Florida Orchestra has hit a milestone filled with hope: We have now performed more than 50 concerts for…

TFO plays 1991 national anthem to honor Whitney Houston, Bucs in video

Post author:Florida Orchestra
Post published:February 2, 2021
Post category:ALL POSTS Michael Francis Special Concerts

Thirty years ago at Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Whitney Houston walked onto the field with The Florida Orchestra and made history with an epic rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. Now…

We will keep bringing you music

Post author:Florida Orchestra
Post published:April 15, 2020
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A message from the maestro: We will keep bringing you music! Read Michael Francis' letter to our community.

The Florida Orchestra Ruth Eckerd Hall March 13, 2016

How has ‘Messiah’ stayed popular for nearly 300 years?

Post author:Kurt Loft
Post published:December 18, 2019
Post category:ALL POSTS Masterworks Michael Francis Special Concerts
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When Michael Francis, The Florida Orchestra and The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay team up for their production of Handel’s Messiah this week, they will add another notch to a…

On a house not so far, far away, a Star Wars ‘orchestra of lights’

Post author:Kelly Smith
Post published:December 28, 2018
Post category:ALL POSTS Michael Francis
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A Tampa Bay couple combines their passion for music and technology into one stellar “orchestra of lights” on their home. Even the maestro dropped by for the Star Wars vs. Star Trek display. You can still see it through Jan. 5!