18/12/2024
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Inc.’s 2024-2025 season concerts are on sale now to the general public. The season is complete with six subscription concerts, six special events featuring three multimedia performances, timeless masterworks, and stellar soloists under the baton of Maestro Matthew Wardell. Tickets are on sale now at ocalasymphony.com, with prices ranging from $15 to $58 for adults and $10 for students.
“This 49th season features incredible collaborations between the orchestra, the Ocala Symphony Chorus, CF’s Patriot Singers, and renowned soloists - those collaborations will reach their zenith with Beethoven’s monumental 9th Symphony, an ode to joy and brotherhood that promises to be a transcendent experience next April. Also not to be missed is our “Messiah Sing Along,” inviting you to lend your voice to Handel’s immortal masterpiece in a celebration of community and music” said Matthew Wardell, Music Director and Conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. He continued, “This season embodies our commitment to showcasing the transformative power of music, featuring both the celebrated classics and the innovative new. Each concert is an invitation to explore the depths of human emotion, the heights of artistic achievement, and the communal spirit of music-making. Join us at the Reilly Arts Center for this spectacular season. Whether you’re a lifelong orchestra enthusiast or a curious newcomer, there’s something in this season for you. Together, let’s make memories that will last a lifetime.”
For more information about season subscriptions, essential dates, and tickets for individual concerts visit www.reillyartscenter.com/symphony/orchestra/.
Young Artist Competition Finals
Sunday, January 12, 2025 – 3:00 PM
This special recital performance features the finalists from our 34th annual Young Artist Competition. These talented young musicians, from our junior and senior divisions, take the stage to perform their concerto with a pianist for a live audience. The winners will be selected live immediately following the performance and will go on to perform as soloists with the full Ocala Symphony at “Youth, Tricksters, and Metamorphosis” on March 8 and 9, 2025.
Vive la France!
Saturday, January 25, 2025 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, January 26, 2025 – 3:00 PM
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, January 24, 2025 - 7 PM
Ooh La La! Prepare to be whisked away by the OSO’s principal guest conductor, Raymond Chobaz, on a sublime musical journey to France. Experience Debussy’s ethereal Trois Nocturnes and the exotic rhythms of Camille Saint-Saëns' Africa with the renowned Kevin Sharpe on piano. Continue your adventure with the OSO’s virtuosic concertmaster Stewart Kitts playing Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and finally your trip will culminate in the lush, romantic landscapes of Maurice Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 and the Ocala Symphony Chorus.
Sound and Fury
Saturday, February 15, 2025 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, February 16 2025 – 3:00 PM
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, February 14, 2025 - 7 PM
Embark on a mesmerizing journey from the serene Scottish coasts to the depths of human emotion and the heights of heroic triumph. We set off with Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture before delving into the contemporary narrative and emotion of Anna Clyne's Sound and Fury, featuring the captivating presence of Ocala Civic Theatre Artistic Director, Greg Thompson. Finally, the tour ascends to its zenith with Beethoven's monumental "Eroica" Symphony, a profound ode to heroism and human resilience.
Opera at the Reilly: Puccini Love and Laughter!
Sunday, February 23, 2025 - 3:00 PM
The University of Florida Opera Theatre and the Ocala Symphony Orchestra present two of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest works. The heartfelt Suor Angelica with its soaring orchestral score is one of his most beautiful musical dramas and reminiscent of the passionate Tosca. The hilarious Gianni Schicchi, his only true comedy, will be sung in a modern English translation with plenty of charming local references. It features one of the world’s most beloved songs, O mio babbino caro. Join these wonderful upcoming opera stars and the talented musicians of the OSO for a matinee of marvelous masterpieces. You don’t want to miss it! Both pieces are one act operas with supertitles and a 2 hour running time.
Youth, Tricksters, and Metamorphosis
Saturday, March 8, 2025 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, March 9, 2025 – 3:00 PM
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, March 7, 2025 - 7 PM
Join us for an exhilarating evening of music and talent, featuring performances by two exceptional young concerto competition winners. The night will showcase the playful mischief of Richard Strauss's "Till Eulenspiegel," a musical romp that captures the adventures of the legendary German trickster with thrilling orchestration. The program continues with Paul Hindemith's "Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber," a masterpiece of transformation that weaves Weber's melodies into a rich tapestry of modern sound. This concert promises a blend of youthful virtuosity and orchestral majesty, making it a must-see event for music lovers of all ages.
Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
Sunday, March 30, 2025 – 3:00 PM
Immerse yourself in the monumental grandeur of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, a towering masterpiece that continues to inspire and move audiences around the world. Under the baton of our dynamic Matthew Wardell, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra with the College of Central Florida Patriot Singers and Ocala Symphony Chorus, led by the talented Joshua Mazur, will join forces with four world-class soloists to bring this epic work to life. The concert will open with the stirring strains of Beethoven's Egmont Overture, setting the stage for an evening of dramatic intensity and emotional depth. The highlight of the afternoon, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, stands as a towering testament to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Known for its groundbreaking inclusion of vocal soloists and a chorus in the final movement, the symphony culminates in the exhilarating "Ode to Joy," a universal anthem of hope and brotherhood.
The West meets Scheherazade (and Godzilla, too)
Saturday, April 12, 2025 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, April 13, 2025 – 3:00 PM
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, April 11, 2025 - 7 PM
Experience the grand finale of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra's 49th season, a spectacular concert that promises an unforgettable blend of humor, fantasy, and exotic tales. We’ll begin with Michael Daugherty's "Rio Grande," a vibrant work that captures the spirit, breadth, and energy of that great river. We’ll get a purview glimpse at the emotional world of Scheherazade, told through the lens of her perspective in Leanna Primiani’s 1,001. Then, steel yourselves as Eric Whitacre’s Godzilla Eats Las Vegas takes the stage, featuring Joshua Mazur and the Ocala Symphony Chorus in a playful depiction of the iconic monster on a romp through Sin City. After intermission the orchestra will transport you to the magical world of Scheherazade. In Rimsky-Korsakov’s four captivating movements, you'll sail with Sinbad, venture with the Kalendar Prince, and fall in love with the Young Prince and Princess, culminating in the dramatic Festival at Baghdad. Don't miss this thrilling conclusion to the season, where music brings legends to life!