In his first full season as Music Director/Conductor of The Venice Symphony, Troy Quinn has planned a concert season of “music for everyone” at the Venice Performing Arts Center.  

“I can't wait for our audience to experience Troy Quinn's dynamic programming, pairing masterworks from Beethoven and Dvorak with "new classics" like Bohemian Rhapsody,” said Christine Kasten, Executive Director of The Venice Symphony. “In our 46th season we are redefining what it means to "go to The Symphony" while staying true to our commitment to present the highest caliber of symphonic music in Sarasota County.”

The Symphony’s season will open November 15-16, 2019 with two “rock star” pieces of music, Beethoven’s epic Fifth Symphony and Queen’s modern-day masterpiece Bohemian Rhapsody. The Symphony will hold its annual gala that weekend as well.

In December, nearly 100 members of Sarasota’s acclaimed Key Chorale will join 90 musicians on stage for the annual Holiday Pops concert, mixing traditional songs with new arrangements, video and, of course, a little something from The Nutcracker.

January’s Cosmic Convergence will transport concertgoers with Dvorak’s masterwork New World Symphony, along with music from Star Trek and Star Wars. In February, Quinn and the orchestra will shake (not stir) things up with a symphonic take on six decades of James Bond films, including songs by Oscar-winning composers John Barry, Marvin Hamlisch, Bill Conti and Adele. “We’re doing original arrangements on all of these pieces,” said Quinn.

Later in February, The Symphony will present Romeo and Juliet, pairing Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture with Leonard Bernstein’s unforgettable overture from West Side Story. Guest soloist Daniel Lebhardt will join the orchestra for Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2.

The Symphony welcomes Broadway star Linda Eder to Venice for a knockout concert of songs from the stage and screen. Eder has been called “one of the greatest voices of our time” and routinely sells out performances all over the country. “I know that Linda has a following in Sarasota,” said Quinn. “If you have never seen her in person, once you hear that voice, you will never forget it.”

The Venice Symphony will close its season with a tribute to the legendary John Williams, who earned 51 Oscar nominations, won 24 Grammys, and created the greatest film scores of our time. “We’ll be playing everything from E.T., Jurassic Park and Harry Potter to extraordinary music you might have not heard before,” said Quinn.

The Symphony is proud to continue its series of free talks with Maestro Quinn and guests before every concert. These informal 30-minute sessions are sponsored by Bank of America and offer an insightful look into that concert’s music and composers.

Tickets are still available for the last concert in The Venice Symphony’s 2018-19 season, American Roots with music by great American composers Duke Ellington, Aaron Copland, John Williams and more. Concertmaster Marcus Ratzenboeck solos on Ashokan Farewell and Sweet Georgia Brown.

For tickets or more information, visit thevenicesymphony.org or call 941-207-8822. Season subscriptions and packages are available on April 1 and individual tickets go on sale this summer. Tickets start at $27. Student tickets are always half-price. Group discounts are available.

The Venice Symphony’s 2019-20 Season at The Venice Performing Arts Center

November 15-16, 2019 - Bohemian Beethoven                                                          

December 20-21, 2019 - A Very Merry Holiday Pops

January 10-11, 2020 - Cosmic Convergence 

February 7-8, 2020 - Shaken Not Stirred: The Music of James Bond

February 28-29, 2020 – Romeo and Juliet  

March 27-28, 2020 – Songs from the Screen and Stage with Linda Eder

April 24-25, 2020 - The Movie Maestro: A Tribute to John Williams