Lake County’s professional orchestra readies for its fifth season

The Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra is set to celebrate its fifth season beginning Thursday, Oct. 22, in Mount Dora and Friday, Oct. 23, in Clermont. Audiences throughout Lake County have come to value this emerging group’s quality of performance and repertoire. This elegant orchestra is known for musical surprises and outstanding beautiful music.

Based in Lake County, the not-for-profit orchestra features 60 professional musicians from all over the world who live in Florida. Internationally acclaimed composer and pianist Guy Saint-Clair, who has recorded with the London Symphony, founded the orchestra. Led by the award-winning conductor Michael J. Garasi, the orchestra has established a reputation for excellence.

The fifth season by the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra includes the following concerts at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Patrick Catholic Church of Mount Dora, located at 6803 Old Highway 441, and at The Wesley Center of the First United Methodist Church of Clermont, located at 950 Seventh St.

• Festive 5th — Whirlwind Overtures such as “Lohengrin,” “Bartered Bride” and “Mid-Summer Night’s Dream” begin the celebration
  • Oct. 22 in Mount Dora
• Oct. 23 in Clermont

• The Glorious Sounds of Christmas — An extra concert with heart-warming music of the Christmas period.
  • Dec. 17 in Mount Dora
    
    
• Legends, Mysteries & Myths — This sophisticated concert includes mysterious beauties such as “The Hebrides,” Swan of Tuonela,” “Scherzo Fantastique,” “Firebird Suite,” “Danse Bacchanale” from Samson and Delilah and “Flight of the Bumble Bee.”
  • Jan. 21 in Mount Dora
• Jan. 22 in Clermont

• Heartland America — Guy Saint-Clair will perform Gershwin’s inimitable “Rhapsody in Blue.” Other works include “America the Beautiful,” “Shenandoah” and pieces from Stephen Foster to Glenn Miller in a salute to the Nation.
  • Feb. 18 in Mount Dora
• Feb. 19 in Clermont

• French Impressions — This concert promises to be a poetical triumph. Beginning with the original melodic compositions of composer and pianist Guy Saint-Clair followed by Debussy’s “Afternoon of a Faun” and “Clair de Lune,” the music will be a tapestry of delightful sound and color.
  • April 8 in Mount Dora
• April 9 in Clermont

• Latin Fireworks —Prepare for the fiesta with “Tico Tico,” “La Bamba,” “Oblivion,” “Girl from Ipanema,” “Malambo,” “Blue Tango” and “Malaguena.”
  • May 6 in Mount Dora
  • May 7 in Clermont

For more information about the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra or to order tickets, call (352) 589-1500 or write Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra, 2034 Bayside Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757. Concert tickets are $42 in advance, $45 at the door or $180 for the entire five-concert season (Christmas concert sold separately at $42).