Broward Center to expand classical series in 2010-2011

By Lawrence A. Johnson

Moving to fill the void in local classical programming left by the demise of the Concert Association of Florida, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is expanding its classical series to a full slate of events next season.

The handful of classical concerts offered this season was limited in scope due to the lack of time in which to book artists left by the closing of the Concert Association of Florida, the Broward Center’s classical booking partner, last spring. Next season, the Fort Lauderdale venue will present eight events, clearly set to take on its new role as Broward County’s major classical presenter.

The season will open October 18 with recent National Medal of Honor winner Michael Tilson Thomas leading the New World Symphony in music of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mackey, with guest cellist Lynn Harrell.

The King’s Singers will offer their brand of classical vocal crossover with a holiday program December 13 at the Parker Playhouse.

Conductor Peter Oundjian will lead the Toronto Symphony Orchestra January 11 in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 with James Ehnes as soloist in Barber’s Violin Concerto. The State Symphony Orchestra of Russia comes to the Broward Center on January 31, with conductor Mark Gorenstein directing music of Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev with violinist Sergei Grishenko.

French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet will return on February 7 to perform a solo recital. And South Africa’s Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, makes its South Florida debut at the Parker Playhouse February 17 in music of Bernstein, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, with violinist Philippe Quint.

Two popular stars will close the season. Violinist Itzhak Perlman in a recital on Feb. 28 and flutist James Galway will appear, aptly, on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).

Four different subscription are available, all offering a 15-percent discount of single-ticket prices, ranging from $27.75 to $550. Single tickets will go on sale in the fall.

Call the Broward Center’s box office at 954-462-0222 or go online to http://browardcenter.org.

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Sat Mar 6, 2010
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