The Florida Orchestra will launch its Opening Weekend with a powerful performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” at the Mahaffey Theater on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The program promises a dramatic mix of familiar and contemporary works, building from quiet moments to a thunderous finale crowned by cannons and chorus.
Led by Music Director Michael Francis, the concert will feature tenor Sean Panikkar and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. According to the orchestra, the evening begins with Rossini’s energetic “William Tell Overture,” followed by Christopher Theofanidis’ “The Gift,” a work showcasing both Panikkar and the chorus. Beethoven’s triumphant “Wellington’s Victory” is also on the program before Tchaikovsky’s iconic finale, performed with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay.
The concert is part of a two-performance opening weekend, with a matinee scheduled for Sunday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. at the same venue. Tickets are available through The Florida Orchestra’s website, by phone, or at the Ticket Center in St. Petersburg. For audiences looking for a grand start to the season, the “1812 Overture” promises a thrilling night of music, vocal splendor, and orchestral firepower.