Symphony of the Americas Kicks off 32nd Season; Installs New President
James Brooks-Bruzzese
Also Celebrates ‘Year of the Maestro’ as Founding
Maestro and Artistic Director James Brooks-Bruzzese Retires
Boca Raton, FL – The Symphony of the Americas (SOTA), a designated Major Cultural Institution in Broward County, announced today its concert schedule for 2019-2020, its 32nd season of bringing world-class performances of masterworks of the classical repertoire. The first concert on October 15 will feature the first event presided over by new SOTA President Robert M. Roselli, formerly Symphony VP. He promises to add to the legacy of outgoing President Paul Finizio, who served with distinction for six years. A long-time supporter of music and the arts in Broward County and native South Floridian, Roselli is principal of Roselli & Associates, Fort Lauderdale.
James Brooks-Bruzzese founded SOTA in 1987 with Renee LaBonte, SOTA executive director, and has served as Artistic Director (and maestro) ever since. Born in Panama, he arrived in the U.S. in the late 1950s, embarking on a distinguished conducting career in opera and classical music. He founded the Florida Chamber Orchestra in the 1980s, which led to his founding of the Florida Music Festival and its outgrowth, the Symphony of the Americas. On April 18, a special tribute, “Merci Maestro,” will highlight his extraordinary contributions to classical music.
Below is the 2019-2020 SOTA concert schedule. All performances take place at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, except as noted.
+ Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7:45 pm
Argentine Tribute to Hispanic & Italian Heritage Month. Latin American pianist Ana Rodriguez, whose repertoire includes the rare gems of piano music from Latin America, performs the Florida Premiere of recently released Alberto Ginastera’s Concierto Argentino, written when he was 19 years old and only recently published. Because of Miss Rodriguez’s innovative and exciting programming, she has had great success with audiences, and has been described by El Nuevo Herald in Miami as “A (young) pianist for New Music” because of her commitment to the 20th century and beyond of Latin American composers.
+ Sunday, Oct.27. 5:30 pm
Part of Haller Serenades@Sunset Series, a limited seating Sunday series, now at our new location at the Sonesta Beach Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale.
Yedra-Chruszcz Duo. Symphony of the Americas Sunday Serenades concerts are now at our new location at the beautiful Sonesta Beach hotel in Ft. Lauderdale! These events feature table service, wines, champagnes, hors d’oeuvres and exquisite music, surrounded by magnificent vistas and golden sunsets. This performance features Concertmaster of the Symphony of the Americas, Bogdan Chruszcz (violin), and pianist Velia Yedra joined by Symphonic Strings.
+ Sunday, Nov. 24; 5:30 pm
Haller Serenades@Sunset
Broadway & Familia Classics Vocal Celebration.
+ Tuesday, Dec 3; 7:45 pm
Cirque Holidays. The acrobatic stars of the Cirque de la Symphonie in an all-new show accompanied by SOTA performing your favorite Christmas and holiday music.
+ Sunday, Dec. 8; 2:00 pm
Haller Serenades@Sunset
Cirque Holidays. The acrobatic stars of the Cirque de la Symphonie in an all-new show accompanied by SOTA performing your favorite Christmas and holiday music.
+ Tuesday, Jan. 7,2020; 7:45 pm
Celebrate the Classics! – Gareth Johnson, Violin. Gareth has been Artist in Residence at Albany State University and is founder of the Sphinx String Quartet. He has appeared as soloist for several East Coast orchestras, including Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Boston Pops.
+ Sunday, Jan. 12, 5:30 pm
Haller Serenades@Sunset
Roberto Cani String Trio. Internationally acclaimed trio travels from Italy and California for this special appearance featuring acclaimed classics for violin, cello and piano.
+ Sunday, Feb. 9, 5:30 pm
Haller Serenades@Sunset
Con Brio String Quartet & Friends This acclaimed Symphony of the Americas quartet has received numerous competitive awards and will present a premiere performance in Paris this season. Individual performers with the Symphony of the Americas, together they will delight with their skill, passion and energy.
+ Tuesday, Feb 18, 7:45 pm
Symphonic Favorites. An evening of soaring classical hits includes Tchaikovsky’s Suite from Swan Lake, Mussorgsky’s A Night on Bald Mountain featured in Fantasia, and Borodin’s Polovetsian Dances from the beloved opera Prince Igor, plus several musical surprises.
+ Saturday, Feb 29, 2:00 pm.
Haller Foundation Matinee
Pops & Jazz featuring Lisanne Lyons Jazz Trio – Lisanne Lyons, internationally recognized jazz vocalist & Chair of Jazz Vocal Studies at FIU, joins the full symphony with her jazz trio in music of Gershwin, well-loved Nelson Riddle arrangements and more!
+ Tuesday, March 10, 7:45 pm
Beethoven to Bluegrass – Celebrating Beethoven’s 250th !
The Lubben Brothers, classically trained at a young age, will perform the Beethoven Triple Piano Concerto and then forge new ground in bluegrass style (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and string bass) in a first-ever combination of bluegrass instruments performed in with full Symphony.
+ Sunday, March 15, 5:30 pm
Haller Serenades@Sunset Series
Symphony of the Americas Jazz Trio with Special Guest DUAIV, cellist and visual artist.
+ Tuesday, April 7, 7:45 pm
Eight Hands ~ Three Pianos – Featuring the Salani Piano Duo of Italy, joined by Russian pianist Irena Kofman and Uruguayan pianist Ciro Fodere. Highlights include the Mozart Triple Piano Concerto and Poulenc Concerto for Two Pianos.
+ Wednesday, April 18, 6:30 pm
Includes champagne reception, short musical performance and post-concert dinner at BCPA
Merci Maestro: Salute to Retiring Artistic Director James Brooks-Bruzzese. Sponsored by the Symphony of the Americas Society, the fundraising arm of the Symphony.
Entering its 32nd season, Symphony of the Americas is a Broward County Major Cultural Institution and performs at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Under the leadership of internationally acclaimed Artistic Director and Conductor, Maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese, the Symphony delights south Florida audiences with selections of the best classical music world-wide.
