A National Award-Winning, Four-Part Music Awareness Series Presented by The Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring the Friends’ traditional hospitality in an intimate setting. All programs, except for the February 23 program, take place in the Palmer Room at the Plaza Live. The February 23 program will be held at the Blue bamboo Arts Center in Winter Park.
This season’s Musical Insights programs are described below and consist of:
- Tuesday, Nov 17 – Gabe Preisser
From Grand Opera to Broadway Lights - Tuesday, Jan 5 – Eric Jacobsen
Demons & Destiny: Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony - Tuesday, Feb 23 – Kelly Hall-Tompkins
Fluid Motion: A Virtuoso Violinist Who Inspired a Water-Themed Concerto - Tuesday, March 16 – Lyman Brodie
Beyond the Trumpet
Prior reservations are required for all programs. Reservations can be made as follows:
- Full Series – entrance to all programs – $185 per person • $145 for Friends members
- Pick 3 – entrance to any 3 programs of your choice – $165 per person • $125 for Friends members
- Individual – entrance to any one program of your choice – $60 per person.
You may make your reservation either by mailing a check or paying online.
To pay by check click the “Download Order Form” button below and follow the provided instructions.
To pay online fill out and submit the form below.
Gabriel preisser • from grand opera to Broadway lights • November 17, 2026
Grammy Award-winner Gabriel Preisser, Opera Orlando’s General Director and CEO, belts out a witty, whirlwind, magical history tour as he tracks the musical arc from grand opera’s tragedy and operetta’s comic satire. He will demonstrate how these classic European traditions absorbed American jazz, blues, and ragtime, evolving classic European traditions absorbed American jazz, blues, and ragtime, evolving into the show-stopping, dance-filled spectacle of the modern Broadway musical.
Plaza Live, Mary Palmer Room
4:30PM – Wine & Light Bites
5:00PM – 7:00PM – Program
Free parking at Plaza Live
Eric jacobsen • demons & destiny: Tchaikovsky’s 4th symphony • January 5, 2027
Get ready for an explosive program of emotional highs and lows as OPO’s Maestro Eric Jacobsen takes us through Tchaikovsky’s monumental Fourth Symphony. Discover how the composer channeled his inner demons, bittersweet heartaches, and a triumphant, fiercely personal battle against”Fate” into a fiery orchestral masterpiece that will leave you breathless. Eric will lead the OPO in two performances of this magnificent work on January 9 and 10, 2027.
Plaza Live, Mary Palmer Room
4:30PM – Wine & Light Bites
5:00PM – 7:00PM – Program
Free parking at Plaza Live
kelly hall-tompkins • fluid motion: a virtuoso violinist who inspired a water-themed concerto • February 23, 2027
Equally comfortable performing in Carnegie Hall, on Broadway, or bringing live classical music to homeless shelter clients in New York City, this superstar violinist has broken away from her well-traveled career to follow her own vision as presenter, entrepreneur and crossover artist. Emmy Award-winning composer Jeff Beal composed his violin concerto “Body in Motion” for Kelly which had its world premiere in 2024. She will perform the work with the OPO on February 27 and 28, 2027.
Blue Bamboo Arts Center, Winter Park
4:30PM – Wine & Light Bites
5:00PM – 6:30PM – Program
Free parking at Blue Bamboo
lyman brodie • Beyond the trumpet • MArch 16, 2027
Lyman Brodie, celebrated trumpeter, beloved UCF professor, award-winning administrator, and original member of the OPO, shares his wild ride through a brilliant, multi-faceted career. Discover how he has balanced a busy recording career, including acclaimed albums with The Dallas Winds and OPO, leading diverse musical ensembles, and performing with legends like John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma, all while inspiring the next generation of artists in the classroom.
Plaza Live, Mary Palmer Room
4:30PM – Wine & Light Bites
5:00PM – 7:00PM – Program
Free parking at Plaza Live
