Music

Miami Music Project presents an All-Star Concert featuring Latin Grammy Nominee Simone Torres, Univision Multimedia Talent Vicky Van Eerdewijk and Travel TV Personality Augusto Valverde, not to mention Hector Molina and exceptional Venezuelan composer, cuatro and guitar player, and Latin Grammy winner! All in addition to our own amazing Advanced Children's Orchestras!

The Koubek Center celebrates “the sound of surprise,” as this music was once called, with the second edition of Jazz @ Koubek. This two-night event on May 3rd and 4th at 8 pm. will offer a chance to enjoy established talents and discover jazz’s next generation. Vocalist and songwriter Leesa Richards Quartet and the Jean Caze Quartet headline the opening night concert on Friday, May 3rd. Richards has proven comfortable and effective in singing jazz, soul, and R&B, performing with artists such as Faith Hill, The Bee Gees, and Gloria Estefan, and appearing on the Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar national tour. Haitian American trumpeter and composer Jean Caze’s credits include performing with leading artists such as Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, and Michael Bublé. The following evening will be a trio showcase featuring three-time GRAMMY-nominated Negroni Trio, led by pianist Jose Negroni and Washington D.C. area bassist Noah Nipp and his Double N Trio.

Join IlluminArts and “golden-toned baritone” (NY Times) Jesse Blumberg for Love's Magic, a mesmerizing musical exploration of the beauty and mystery of love. From the joy of new love to the melancholy of love lost, this program highlights the power that music has to unearth the deepest human emotions. This program is centered around selections from Ricky Ian Gordon’s Green Sneakers, a song cycle for baritone and string quartet that was written specifically for Jesse Blumberg. In this song cycle, the composer explores the life and love of his late husband, who passed away during the AIDS crisis. Additional highlights include works by Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann, arranged for string quartet and voice, as well as music from Gabriel Faure, Astor Piazzolla, Florence Price, and more. Join us on either May 16, 2024 at Sanctuary for the Arts in Coral Gables, or May 17, 2024 at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Pompano Beach.

Get ready to be transported into the heart of art and passion with Puccini's iconic production, La bohème. Set in 1830s Paris, this romantic saga of impoverished artists and their loves will capture your heart and mind. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's death, the Florida Grand Opera presents a tribute to the master of opera. Starring Italian tenor Davide Giusti in his American debut as Rodolfo, alongside soprano Rebecca Krynski-Cox returning as Mimì, the production promises riveting performances. Baritone Craig Verm makes his FGO debut as Marcello, while first-year Studio Artists Sara Kennedy and Taylor-Alexis DuPont share the role of Musetta. Under the direction of FGO's Director of Artistic Operations, Matt Cooksey. The magic of La bohème unfolds through beautiful voices and extraordinary acting, as well as through the innovative stage design by David Gordon and the magnificent costumes by Howard Tsvi Kaplan. A visual and musical experience captures the essence of living like a Bohemian that will leave you breathless: love, friendship, and the beauty in art despite adversity.

Don’t miss your opportunity to have a front-row seat to witness history in the making! The Chopin Foundation’s CHOPIN for ALL series provides concertgoers with one of the most exciting musical experiences of the season—and it is all for FREE! On Sunday, April 14, twenty next-generation superstar pianists, all under the age of 18, will take the stage at Granada Church. These young musicians, recommended by their teachers and chosen through a competitive process, will amaze and astound you with their unbelievable passion and jaw-dropping technique. The all-Chopin program will delight listeners of all ages! Sign up TODAY! While no tickets are needed, seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve your spot, visit https://bit.ly/3IBmYJB. The Granada Church is accessible to everyone, and the programs are kid-friendly (with parental supervision). Free parking is available around the church property, on Bird Road and University Drive. And that is not all! Chopin Foundation Members can request reserved premiere seating. Become a member today by visiting https://www.chopin.org/membership.

Journey from the year 3050 back to the present with the ambassadors of the New Miami Sound, and explore the origins of their Miami-licious swagger and unified superpowers in the Positive Vibration Nation. Join Miami Light Project for the world premiere of Positive Vibration Nation, an evening-length rock guaguanco opera with libretto by Sol Ruiz. Blending live performance with integrated technology, the new work fuses sound, visual art, costume, dance, and music with Caribbean influences to investigate contemporary issues, explore Miami’s cultural singularity, and convey a positive message to audiences. Created by Sol Ruiz Directed by Teo Castellanos Choreography by Sandra Portal-Andreu Starring Sol Ruiz as La Barba Rey Rodriguez as Rey Sugar Carlos Jose Martinez as Octoman Alejandro Sierra as Alibaba With Nayah Mericier, Nicole Machado, Fernando Perdomo and Fernando Abad ABOUT SOL RUIZ Cuban American, Grammy-nominated recording artist, producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Sol Ruiz, performs in her native tongue, Spanglish. Ruiz has released 6 albums under various names including Picadillo and Sol and The Tribu and has toured globally. She is currently producing "Positive Vibration Nation", a rock opera, funded by The Knight Foundation, NPN, National Endowment for the Arts, and Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with Beth Morrison Projects and Miami Light Project. The Opera, to be premiered in April 2024 at Miami Theatre Center, is performed by her band Sol and The Tribu, ambassadors of the “New Miami Sound”. They will also perform the production at Prototype Festival in New York. The band prides itself on what makes Miami “The Magic City” with its blend of Caribbean influences and American swamp funk. To request materials in accessible format and/or accommodations to attend this performance, please contact Eventz Paul at 305-576-4350 or eventz@miamilightproject.com, at least five days in advance to initiate your request.

Gerard Schwarz, conductor Amanda Quist, choral director The FSO season finale presents a symphonic masterwork alongside four American orchestral miniatures by Augusta Reed Thomas, Bernard Rands, Daren Hagan, and Chen Yi. Beethoven’s ninth symphony closes the program featuring Frost choirs and full orchestra. SAT / APR 27, 2024 / 7:30 P.M. UM Gusman Concert Hall

Dive into a mesmerizing fusion of cultures and genres as the internationally acclaimed pianist Michel Camilo, hailed for his unparalleled virtuosity and boundless creativity, takes center stage. Born in the Dominican Republic and nurtured in the vibrant streets of New York City, Camilo's journey through jazz, classical, popular, and world music has captivated audiences worldwide. Winner of prestigious accolades including the Grammy, Latin Grammy, and Emmy awards, Camilo's illustrious career is a testament to his unparalleled talent and unwavering passion for music. For one unforgettable evening, Camilo joins forces with the Frost Latin Jazz Orchestra, a dynamic ensemble directed by Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto and renowned for its infectious rhythms and electrifying performances. Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness two musical powerhouses unite on stage for a night of unparalleled artistry and innovation. THU / APR 25, 2024 / 7:30 P.M. UM Gusman Concert Hall

Featured artist: Anat Cohen, clarinet Maria Schneider, conductor & Scott Flavin, emcee Shelly Berg, piano & Mark Nuccio, clarinet Steve Guerra, composer Experience the magic of Brazilian music as Anat Cohen, the charismatic and prolific Grammy-nominated clarinetist and saxophonist, joins forces with The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, conducted by the renowned NEA Jazz Master, Maria Schneider. The New York Times writes, “Ms. Cohen on the clarinet was a revelation. Using the clarinet’s upper register, she could evoke infectious joy. In the lower register, her playing could conjure a deep, soulful melancholy. On up-tempo numbers, her improvisations weren’t just bebop fast; they had a clarity and deep intelligence that is really quite rare. She made it look effortless, even as she was playing the most technically difficult of all the reed instruments... she took my breath away.” Joining her on stage are pianist and Frost School of Music Dean Shelly Berg and clarinetist Mark Nuccio. Get your tickets today and prepare to be enraptured by the vibrant rhythms of Brazilian music. FRI / APR 19, 2024 / 7:30 P.M. UM Gusman Concert Hall

Robert Carnochan, conductor Christopher Creviston, saxophone Carter Pann, piano and composer Andrew Keiser, graduate conductor In their final concert of the year, FWE welcomes guest composer Carter Pann and saxophonist Christopher Creviston. Presenting Dickerson’s Essay for Band and two works by Pann (Soprano Saxophone Concerto and Symphony for Winds: My Brother’s Brain). SUN / APR 14, 2024 / 4:00 P.M.