South Florida Classical Review

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts will launch a new classical series this fall, partly filling the void left by the demise of the Concert Association of Florida earlier this year.

The lineup of artists will include Joshua Bell, Dame Kiri te Kanawa, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

“With the absence of the Concert Association, it makes sense for us to step into that role and continue to make classical events happen,” said Kelley Shanley, president and CEO of the Broward Center.

 The series will debut Oct. 8 with violinist David Garrett in a recital at the Amaturo Theatre. Garrett, who enjoys great popularity in Europe and was recently featured on a PBS special, will perform a mix of classical and popular repertoire.  

 Dame Kiri te Kanawa presents a recital March 9, and conductor James Judd returns to the Broward Center December 6 to lead the Master Chorale of South Florida and the Boca Symphonia in Handel’s Messiah.

 On Jan. 31 the Houston Symphony Orchestra, in conjunction with NASA, will present a multimedia presentation of Holst’s The Planets, with HD images from space accompanying the performance. Hans Graf will also conduct the orchestra in Stravinsky’s Scherzo fantastique and Dutilleux’s Timbres, espace, mouvement.

 Joshua Bell returns for a recital on Feb. 15 with pianist Jeremy Denk, with program details to be announced. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will make its Fort Lauderdale debut on March 12, with JoAnn Falletta conducting a program that includes music of Barber and Rachmaninoff.

 The Broward Center series will also offer a tribute to Luciano Pavarotti by tenor Michael Amante on Feb. 22 and the return of the all-male comedy ballet troupe, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Feb. 4.

 As in the Concert Association’s final season, the events will be spread among the Broward Center’s three venues. The Bell, te Kanawa, Messiah, and Houston Symphony performances will take place at the Broward Center’s main Au-Rene Concert Hall, with  Garrett and Amante at the Amaturo Theatre, and the Ballets Trockadero and Buffalo Philharmonic at the Parker Playhouse.

 The Broward Center—which last Saturday played host to the Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant—has been crticized in the past for showing little interest in mounting classical events beyond the Concert Association’s and Florida Grand Opera’s performances.  Shanley said the fact that the center has launched this new  series refutes that contention.

 “We always try to be responsive to the market,” said Shanley.  “The reality is that this is a very busy building. I see it as the Broward Center’s role to address performances that our important to our audiences.”

 “It took a concerted effort to get this up and running this late in the season,” added Shanley. “I think we have a good offering of events that we can build on in future seasons.”

 Tickets go on sale to the public July 27 for David Garrett and for four- and eight-show packages with 10% and 20% subscription discounts. Individual tickets for other events go on sale October 8. Single tickets range from $15-$115.  954-462-0222. www.BrowardCenter.org.

 Also, founders of the Broward Center’s new membership society, Classical Entourage, who join at the $1,500 level will receive two tickets to all eight concerts in the series. For more information on Classical Entourage, contact Nicole Gauthier at 954/468-2691 or email inquiries to [email protected].

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2 Responses to “New classical series to debut at Broward Center this fall”

1. Posted Jun 29, 2009 at 9:56 am by Dave R.

   This is definitely good news, and considering everything, not a bad lineup. But just wondering: What ever happened to the Arsht Center’s proposed series? Are they ever going to announce it, or is it already dead?

2. Posted Jun 29, 2009 at 2:13 pm by Lawrence A. Johnson

   Hi Dave,

   I checked with the Arsht Center when I posted the Broward story. Their series is still happening but has yet to be announced.

   best,
   Larry

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