South Florida Symphony Orchestra Presents Dvořák, Sibelius and Schubert at New World Center at New World Center

South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO), led by award-winning music director Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso, presents a program bursting with Bohemian joy and Nordic intensity. Dvoák’s beloved Symphony No. 8 radiates warmth while Sibelius’ Violin Concerto featuring special guest artist Siwoo Kim stirs the soul. Schubert’s Overture in D major (In the Italian Style), a playful wink to Rossini’s famed operas, opens the program at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at New World Center in Miami Beach (500 17th Street). Enjoy a pre-concert chat 30 minutes before the concert with Dr. Alan Mason, professor emeritus of music at Barry University for in-depth conversation and insights about the works and composers.

Radiant melodies and rustic charm define Antonín Dvoák’s Symphony No. 8, a heartfelt tribute to his Bohemian homeland. Composed at the height of his career and inspired by the countryside surrounding Prague, the symphony brims with birdsong-like themes, folk rhythms, and sweeping lyricism. Joyful and deeply expressive, Dvoák’s Eighthcaptures the spirit of Bohemia and the heartbeat of Prague.

Haunting lyricism and virtuosic fireworks come to life in Jean Sibelius’ emotionally expressive Violin Concerto, the only concerto he composed in his lifetime. Written during a turbulent time in the composer’s life, the expressive brilliance of returning SFSO guest artist Siwoo Kim, will bring a passionate take on the demanding and dramatic work.  

Siwoo Kim is an “incisive” and “compelling” violinist (The New York Times) who “plays with stylistic sensitivity and generous tonal nuance” (The Chicago Tribune). Kim actively performs as soloist and chamber musician and he is the founding co-artistic director of VIVO Music Festival in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Since his Carnegie Hall concerto debut with the Juilliard Orchestra, he has gone on to perform as soloist with orchestras in four different continents including Tucson Symphony, Houston Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Seongnam Philharmonic, Johannesburg Philharmonic, and Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie. As chamber musician, he performs regularly at festivals. He is the principal violinist of Music From Copland House. An advocate of new music, Kim premiered and recorded Samuel Adler’s only violin concerto with Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt on Linn Records. Along with ECCO (East Coast Chamber Orchestra), Siwoo recently made the premiere recording of Michael Torke’s “Last,” a 12-movement work for solo violin and string orchestra. 

Hoping to gain an operatic commission from the Viennese theaters, Franz Schubert wrote two operatic overtures “in the Italian style” in 1817. His Overture in D major, composed of several tunes, and laden with Schubertian harmonic changes, is zesty, filled with operatic flair, and is pleasingly adorned with unmistakable charm.

SFSO’s 28th season of “Juxtapositions” explores beauty in contrasts, where the bold and the sublime intersect, and timeless masterpieces share the stage with today’s most compelling and celebrated musical voices. 

From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores including Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Back to the Future, featuring the iconic films screened live with audio and musical accompaniment, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres. 

Tickets are now on sale beginning at $35 (plus ticketing fees). Buy tickets online at southfloridasymphony.org; by phone at (305) 673-3331; or in-person at the New World Center Box Office. 

Discounted Flex Passes are available by visiting southfloridasymphony.org/2025-26-season or by calling (954) 522-8445. Flex subscribers save up to 15% off single ticket prices and have the flexibility to use passes when it best fits their schedule.

For additional information, visit southfloridasymphony.org, call (954) 522-8445 or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.