The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's 2023-2024 season, running September through June, will feature more than 30 different programs across their Symphonic, Pops, Chamber, Meet the Artist, and Family series, as well as special events.
Along with the new season, FWSO also announced on January 12 that music director Robert Spano, who came to the FWSO at the beginning of the 2022-2023 season, has also agreed to an extension of his contract and will remain in his position with the organization through the 2027-2028 season. He and principal guest conductor Kevin John Edusei will lead the majority of performances of the Symphonic Series.
“Music and culture are integral to the foundation of any thriving city and Fort Worth is an exemplary beacon of that truth," said Mercedes T. Bass, FWSO chairman of the board, in a statement. "The 2023-2024 season will prove to be artistically gratifying for audiences throughout greater Fort Worth with an all-star lineup of guest artists, collaborations with local performing arts organizations, and our relentless pursuit of excellence through symphonic music."
Here's a quick overview of the season's highlights; more details can be found at fwsymphony.org. Note that popular summer series Concerts in the Garden was not included in the season announcement and will be revealed at a later date.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre will perform on the Symphonic Series.
Photo by Brian Guilliaux
The Symphonic Series, comprised of 12 programs, will open with a bang on September 8-10, welcoming 2022 Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist Yunchan Lim, who will play Schumann’s Piano Concerto. Other notable guests artists include Dallas Black Dance Theatre, who will perform alongside the orchestra to Stravinsky’s Petrushka Suite, January 5-7, 2024; and pianist (and Cliburn alum) Joyce Yang, playing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, March 15-17, 2024.
The Pops Series will be the official kickoff to the season on September 1-3, featuring tribute band Hotel California playing the music of the Eagles. The series' five concerts will pay homage to the music of James Bond, Elton John & Billy Joel, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, as well as the annual Home for the Holidays concert.
Renee Fleming
Photo by © Andrew Eccles/Decca
The six special concerts throughout the season are headlined by the award-winning soprano Renée Fleming taking center stage at the symphony's annual Gala Concert on February 17, 2024. Other choices will include a showcase for different stars of the FWSO, a collaboration with Houston street dance company FLY, an immersive concert featuring Impressionist masterworks, and Disney Princess: The Concert.
The more intimate Chamber Series, which takes place in the Renzo Piano Pavilion at Kimbell Art Museum, will include three programs, including a unique pairing of principal keyboardist Buddy Bray and FWSO President and CEO Keith Cerny; musicians taking on some of the genre's hidden gems; and Spano, his long-time collaborator Pedja Mužijević, Bray, and Cerny in a "Piano Stampede."
Keith Cerny and Buddy Bray are teaming up on the Chamber Series.Photo courtesy of FWSO
Subscriptions for the 2023-2024 season will go on sale on April 4, and can be purchased by calling 817-665-6000 or at fwsymphony.org. Symphonic 12-concert subscription packages range in price from $240-$948, while Pops 6-concert subscription packages range from $179-$499.
Single tickets will go on sale on July 10 for all regular season concerts.
