Orchestra Miami Celebrates National Poetry Month with “Poetry in Music”

 

Orchestra Miami invites you to celebrate the art of Poetry in a luminous evening where poetry and music intertwine. Experience an unforgettable evening as Orchestra Miami brings great literary voices to life through the sonic beauty of the orchestra. Immerse yourself in the sweeping drama of Scheherazade, Rimsky-Korsakov’s luscious tone poem inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, which features one of the most heart-melting solo for concert master in the symphonic repertoire. The program also honors the poems of Walt Whitman with Kurt Weill’s Four Whitman Songs and Gustav Holst’s spirited Walt Whitman Overture. Together, these works create a vibrant and unforgettable tapestry of storytelling and orchestral color.

One of the most beloved symphonic poems ever written, Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade, tells the story of the legendary Persian queen, who saves her life and the lives of countless others, by telling King Shahryar a captivating, cliffhanger story each night for 1,001 nights, eventually winning his love and ending his murderous spree. The evocative music of Rimsky Korsakov features one of the most sublime (and difficult) violin solos. Concert Master Huifang Chen’s violin portrays the voice of queen Scheherazade as she begins each tale.

The Four Whitman Songs by Kurt Weill are four of Whitman’s most memorable poems from Leaves of Grass, set to music by the great German-American composer, Kurt Weill. The first three songs, Beat! Beat! Drums!, O Captain! My Captain!, and Dirge for Two Veterans were written shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The set was completed in 1946 with Come Up from the Fields, Father. The soloist for these poignant and beautiful songs is baritone Kyle Pfortmiller, who is one of the most versatile singing actors on the scene today.

The Walt Whitman Overture by Gustav Holst is a dynamic and evocative work inspired by the transcendentalist poet’s themes of patriotism, individuality, and the human spirit. Holst’s rich orchestral textures bring Whitman’s vision of America to life in a stirring prelude to the evening’s performance.

The 50 musicians will be led by Artistic Director Elaine Rinaldi.

Sunday, April 19^th, 6 PM at Pinecrest Gardens. Tickets are priced from $35- $50 with half priced-tickets available for children under 18. Poetry in Music is the first of two concerts in Orchestra Miami’s new Pinecrest Classical series. The next event on Sunday, April 26^th will be Cuba, mi amor, featuring soprano Eglise Gutierrez in an evening of Cuban classics by Lecuona, Roig, Sanchez de Fuentes and more. For tickets and more information, please visit www.OrchestraMiami.org 

Thank you to Biscayne Park resident Dr. Fred Jonas for allowing Orchestra Miami to let you know about our events!

 

 If you love great music, and you love free things, then these are the concerts for you!

Beethoven on the Beach, Orchestra Miami’s popular series of free outdoor concerts returns starting this weekend! This year features one of Beethoven’s most joyous and enduring works, the Symphony N. 7 in A Major, Op. 92. There's a double treat in store for our concerto this year- husband and wife duo Karen Lord-Powell, violinist, and Brian Powell, bassist, perform the rarely heard Gran Duo Concertante for Violin and Bass by virtuoso 19^th century Italian bassist Giovanni Bottesini. Also on the program is the Overture, Scherzo & Finale in E Major, Op. 52 by Robert Schumann and Overture to Il Signor Bruschino by Gioachino Rossini.  The 40 musicians of Orchestra Miami will be led by Artistic Director Elaine Rinaldi.

There are three opportunities to hear this great event!

• Saturday, March 21^st, 6:30 PM at Gateway Park, 151 Sunny Isles Boulevard, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160. Free parking is available in the onsite garage. Chairs are provided, and guests are encouraged bring a lawn chair and a picnic. There’s a playground for the kids and food and drinks will be available for purchase.
• Sunday, March 22^nd, 6:00 PM at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 SW 57 Avenue, Pinecrest, 33156. Free on-site parking is available. Please no outside food or beverages; food and beverages available for purchase. The concert is free with an advance reservation and with a suggested $10 per person donation. At the door, admission is $10 minimum donation per person.  For those who would like to hold their seat in advance, reservations can be made for $25. All seats (except the paid advance reservations) are general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations and more info can be found at https://www.orchestramiami.org/beethoven-on-the-beach-2026
• Sunday, March 29^th, 7 PM at the Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Parking is available in the municipal lot on the west side of Collins Avenue between 72^nd & 73^rd streets. Please no outside food or beverages; food and beverages available for purchase. The concert is free with an advance reservation and with a suggested $10 per person donation. At the door, admission is $10 minimum donation per person.  For those who would like to hold their seat in advance, reservations can be made for $25. All seats (except the paid advance reservations) are general admission on a first come, first served. Reservations and more info can be found at https://www.orchestramiami.org/beethoven-on-the-beach-2026

 See you at the concerts!