Music

Get ready for an astounding performance with the Simon Mogul Quartet featuring legendary bassist Curtis Lundy, as part of the free Ocean Drive Promenade Music series, on December 8th, 2024! This wonderful evening of live jazz will bring a mix of classics and original compositions, all containing the intensity and excitement Simon and Curtis will undoubtedly bring as members world's most forefront jazz scene, that of New York City! Originally from Miami, Simon Mogul is one of the forefront rising star saxophonists today in New York, and Curtis Lundy is a jazz legend who has performed and recorded with all of the greats. Don't miss this unforgettable night of live music, starting at 5 PM! These events (every Sunday!) are free and open to the public-- and will take place in Lummus Park between 14th Street and 14th Place. Bring your chair, blanket, and picnic - ENJOY! Rainy-day location is inside The Betsy Hotel! This program is part of the weekly Promenade Sunday Concert Series generously underwritten by The City of Miami Beach, The GMCVB and The Ocean Drive Association.

Nu Deco Ensemble returns to the Adrienne Arsht Center for an exciting evening featuring the genre-bending, Grammy-winning artist, Estelle. Blending elements of R&B, hip-hop, reggae, and soul, she continues to captivate audiences worldwide as a prominent voice in music. The program will also feature a Nu Deco original composition alongside Stravinsky’s iconic Firebird Suite, followed by a brand-new suite that re-imagines Prince’s legendary Purple Rain Album. Since its inception in 2015, Nu Deco Ensemble has exploded onto Miami’s eclectic musical scene captivating audiences, holistically engaging with its community, and fusing innovative, genre-bending orchestral performances and collaborations with the highest levels of musical artistry. Called a "chamber orchestra for the 21st century" by The New York Times, their performances have featured artists including Wyclef Jean, Allen Stone, Macy Gray, Monsieur Periné, Jacob Collier, and Ben Folds; reimagined orchestral suites of the music of Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill, The Beatles, and Aretha Franklin; symphonic masterworks from Bernstein, Stravinsky and Gershwin; and new music from some of today's most exciting living composers.

Featuring Patti Austin, Randy Brecker, Lisa Fischer and 2023 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition Winner Tyreek McDole with Shelly Berg and the Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra and its resident conductor, Scott Flavin This celebration of the versatile and widely influential jazz singer Sarah Vaughan, whose nicknames included Sassy and the Divine Sarah, will find talented admirers performing her music in front of a full orchestra. “Among the singers of her generation, only Ella Fitzgerald enjoyed comparable stature,” The New York Times wrote of Vaughan, whose hits included “It’s Magic,” “What Lola Wants” and “Make Yourself Comfortable.”

New production created by Jeffrey Marc Buchman for Florida Grand Opera. Mozart’s timeless opera, “The Magic Flute,” has long enthralled audiences with its multi-layered storytelling, captivating both adults and children alike. Its fantasy quest, woven together with both humor and poignancy offers a journey that inspires, surprises and delights. As I pondered how to craft my newest telling of this masterpiece, I found myself drawn to the parallels between its narrative and the immersive world of fantasy role-playing board games. Role-playing games transport players to fantastical realms where they embark on epic quests, facing challenges that mirror our own struggles and triumphs. Like “The Magic Flute”, these games engage us on multiple levels, inviting us to explore themes of morality, resilience, and camaraderie. While both mediums undeniably provide a form of escapism, their true value lies in their ability to inspire. They serve as reminders of our potential for growth and the profound impact of shared experiences on our journey through life. In this new production, I have blended Mozart’s opera with the world of gaming to tell its story through boundless imagination and adolescent eyes. If childhood represents a time of innocence and clarity where moral structures appear distinct and straightforward, then adulthood unfolds as a journey into the nuanced realm of complexity where we must confront the bittersweet truths that great pain often accompanies great love, and that the lines between right and wrong are often blurred in our pursuit of what we perceive as a noble cause. This transition from simplicity to complexity finds a poignant expression in adolescence, a period marked by questioning the inconsistencies and hypocrisies of the world around us. Through the lens of adolescent perception, navigating the uncharted waters of personal growth and self-discovery, the opera takes on a renewed vibrancy capturing the essence of a transformative journey into maturity. Beyond mere entertainment, “The Magic Flute” and role-playing games both present profound opportunities for personal exploration and empowerment. They challenge us to confront ethical dilemmas, to tap into our inner resilience, and to forge connections with others. Whether in the opera house or sitting around a gaming table, these experiences inspire us to embrace our inner hero and confront the battles that life throws our way. In a world that often feels fragmented, the communal experience of attending the opera, just like that of role-playing board games, offers a sense of belonging and shared purpose. By merging these two worlds, this production celebrates the enduring power of storytelling to unite, inspire, and transform. It is a tribute to the child in all of us, whose imagination knows no bounds and whose spirit yearns for adventure and magic.

A cappella voices in a candlelit setting will mark the Christmas season in South Florida. Popular guest conductor Anthony Trecek-King returns to lead Seraphic Fire’s Billboard-chart-topping Christmas program. Enjoy yuletide tunes from Modern-era composers like Benjamin Britten and, as always, celebrate the season with fan favorites like “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”. Seraphic Fire is an ensemble dedicated to the concert performance of history’s musical works for the human voice. Lauded by Gramophone for its “mellifluous, crystalline artistry,” Seraphic Fire has gained an international reputation for dynamic, cutting-edge, and historically informed programming that encompasses both secular and sacred literature. Dr. Anthony Trecek-King is a highly acclaimed choral conductor, scholar, pedagogue, and media personality with a career spanning over 20 years. He is an active guest conductor and serves as a Resident Conductor (chorus) with the Handel and Haydn Society. Recognized for his ability to create moving performances that exhibit a surprising range of dynamics and depth of expression, Dr. Trecek-King excels at cultivating vocal and instrumental musicians at all levels.

Vocalist Nicolas Bearde will be performing his romantic interpretations of the beloved songbook by the late Burt Bacharach. Bacharach enjoyed seven decades of unforgettable music, from "The Look of Love" and "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" to "A House is not a Home" and became a part of the American cultural fabric. With his supple phrasing and tender delivery, Bearde turns every song into personal expressions of love, hope and soul. For this one-night performance, enjoy Bearde’s magical rendition of Bacharach's music and the indelible lyrics of Hal David. Bearde along with musical director and GRAMMY®-award winning pianist Nat Adderley Jr will present fresh and dynamic interpretations of Bacharach's timeless catalogue.

Come and experience beautiful live music performed by South Beach Chamber Ensemble on November 15 and November 16th! November 15 at 7:30pm, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church at 1121 Andalusia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, USA November 16 at 2:00pm, All Soul’s Episcopal Church at 4025 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, FL, USA Featured performances: Haydn Piano Trio No. 24 in D Major (1795) 15 minutes Dmitri Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8 (1924) 13 minutes Cécile Chaminade Piano Trio No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 11 (1881) 23 minutes

Come and experience beautiful live music performed by South Beach Chamber Ensemble all weekend November 15 and November 16th! November 15 at 7:30pm, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church at 1121 Andalusia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, USA November 16 at 2:00pm, All Soul’s Episcopal Church at 4025 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, FL, USA Featured performances: Haydn Piano Trio No. 24 in D Major (1795) 15 minutes Dmitri Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8 (1924) 13 minutes Cécile Chaminade Piano Trio No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 11 (1881) 23 minutes

Join us on Ocean Drive on December 29th for a performance from "Steel Away" as part of the Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series, a free, weekly concert series presented by the Ocean Drive Association. Pack a picnic blanket or lawn chair to stake out your seat on the lawn. Showtime is at 5:00 PM. Steel Away is a steel drum ensemble who can play any type of music from the songs of current artists like soca superstars Kes and Machel Montano, as well as reggae music of artists Beres Hammond, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, UB40 & Inner Circle. Classics like the Beachboys, Gloria Estefan, Anita Baker and even Elton John are all soothed to an island beat. They also play pop music hits. Steel Away founders Fox and Gail were members of the world famous Trinidad All Star Steel Orchestra. Their son Kobie Alleyne, a steel pan virtuoso, received a full Presidential Scholarship to Berklee School of Music. They love to share the culture and traditions of their paradise home and this most unique music. These events (every Sunday!) are free and open to the public-- and will take place in Lummus Park between 14th Street and 14th Place. Bring your chair, blanket, and picnic - ENJOY! Rainy-day location is inside The Betsy Hotel! This program is part of the weekly Promenade Sunday Concert Series generously underwritten by The City of Miami Beach, The GMCVB and The Ocean Drive Association

Gather oceanside for an open air concert featuring "Steel Away" with steel drummer Kobie Alleyne, on Sunday, December 22nd at the Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series, a free weekly concert series presented by the Ocean Drive Association. Pack a picnic blanket or lawn chair to stake out your seat on the lawn. Showtime is at 5:00 PM Kobie Alleyne, a Caribbean American musician and steel pan virtuoso, has carved his own path in the steelpan world. He received a full Presidential Scholarship to Berklee School of Music, a rare feat for a steelpan performer. Growing up in a musical family, Kobie honed his skills alongside his parents, both of whom are founders of the “Steel Away” duo. Now a Berklee graduate, Kobie’s performances blend various musical genres such as reggae, classical, jazz, pop, gospel and beyond, showcasing his versatility as a jazz pannist. These events (every Sunday!) are free and open to the public-- and will take place in Lummus Park between 14th Street and 14th Place. Bring your chair, blanket, and picnic - ENJOY! Rainy-day location is inside The Betsy Hotel! This program is part of the weekly Promenade Sunday Concert Series generously underwritten by The City of Miami Beach, The GMCVB and The Ocean Drive Association.