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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The Florida Orchestra shared the stage with a living legend, violin superstar Itzhak Perlman, in a sold-out, energized Mahaffey Theater on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Music Director Michael Francis conducted a magical night of world-class entertainment to celebrate 55 years of Florida’s premier orchestra, at home in Tampa Bay.

The fundraiser – postponed from October by Hurricane Ian – was worth the wait. Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, superstar Perlman joined the orchestra to perform a night of curated film music as only he can, including the Theme from Schindler’s List – which he performed for the Academy Award-winning film – As Time Goes By from Casablanca, the love theme from Cinema Paradiso, music from Out of Africa and more.

The concert was a resounding success in celebration of Florida’s largest professional orchestra, and the only arts organization that bridges Tampa Bay. The net proceeds benefit TFO’s high standard of artistic excellence on stage as well as robust education and community programs all year long, including free TFO Strings for Kids violin classes, Youth Concerts and more. Non-profit TFO exists to INSPIRE – UNITE – EDUCATE as we build community through the power of music.

The Florida Orchestra extends special recognition to honorary chairs Montserrat and Emmanuel Cerf, and thanks for the generosity of Itzhak Perlman Sponsor The Cerf Family; Presenting Orchestra Sponsor PNC Bank; Maestro Sponsors Mark & Marianne Mahaffey and Mahaffey Apartment Co.; and all VIP sponsors and patrons who help make everything TFO does possible.

The Florida Orchestra’s season continues this weekend with a different genre of film music, Harry Potter vs. Star Wars (March 18 & 19), at the Mahaffey Theater and Ruth Eckerd Hall in the Raymond James Pops series. The Hough Family Foundation Masterworks series resumes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 (April 1 & 2). TFO’s season continues through May. Tickets are on sale now at FloridaOrchestra.org. 

About Itzhak Perlman
Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, Itzhak Perlman has received 16 Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Genesis Prize. Perlman has received multiple distinctions from U.S. presidents, including a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 2015. For more about Perlman, click here.

About Michael Francis
In his eighth season as music director of The Florida Orchestra, Michael Francis has raised artistic excellence to new heights, strengthened the audience’s connection to the music and reinvigorated TFO’s community and education programs. The internationally acclaimed conductor also is music director of the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego and principal conductor of Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz in Germany. For more, click here

About The Florida Orchestra

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) is recognized as Tampa Bay’s leading performing arts institution, the largest professional orchestra in Florida, and one of the most vibrant and innovative orchestras in America. Under the leadership of Music Director Michael Francis, TFO performs series of classical, popular, and morning coffee concerts in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as free Pops in the Park concerts. The orchestra is dedicated to connecting to the community both in-person and virtually, with family and youth concerts and other educational programs. For tickets and information: FloridaOrchestra.org. The Florida Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)3 EIN: 59-1223691 CH#1830. To learn more how you can support the power of music in building community, contact: [email protected]. To donate now: FloridaOrchestra.org/donate