About the Orchestra — Our History
The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra debuted in 1982, performing in churches on Marco Island and at the Naples High School auditorium. Since the opening of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in 1989, the orchestra has grown into an internationally recognized ensemble with musicians from all regions of the United States, Europe, China and Russia.
Each season, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra performs more than 150 concerts. These include classical, pops, ballet, chamber and family programs. The orchestra accompanies Edward Villella’s Miami City Ballet each season for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ and the ballet’s repertoire series, traditionally performed in January, February and March.
In recent years, the orchestra has also been invited to accompany renowned artists including Luciano Pavarotti (in his first Florida concert in five years), Andrea Bocelli, Kiri Te Kanawa, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and the Monte Carlo Ballet.
In November 2004, Jorge Mester debuted as the orchestra’s new music director. Maestro Mester, one of the world’s most dynamic conductors, is conductor laureate of the prestigious Aspen Music Festival, which he led for 21 years. He also serves as music director of the Louisville Orchestra and the Pasadena Symphony, a post he has held since 1984. From 1998 to 2002, Maestro Mester was artistic director of Mexico City’s leading orchestra, Orquesta Filarmonica de la Ciudad de Mexico. During his 12-year tenure as music director of the Louisville Orchestra from 1967 to 1979, Mester made 72 recordings.
The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra has appeared in two nationally televised PBS specials – A Century of Broadway, conducted by the orchestra’s former principal pops conductor, Erich Kunzel, and featuring mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, and Fiesta at the Philharmonic, also conducted by Kunzel and showcasing Grammy Award-winning flutist Nestor Torres.
The orchestra has released several CDs including the Telarc recording of concertos by Rodrigo, conducted by Erich Kunzel and featuring guitarist David Russell. The orchestra’s recording of The Manhattan Transfer Meets Tubby the Tuba on Summit Records was nominated for a 1994 Grammy Award.
The 100-voice Philharmonic Center Chorale was founded in 1991 and the Philharmonic Youth Chorale was established in 1998. The Philharmonic Youth Orchestra debuted in 2002.
The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra also presents an extensive series of educational programs each season for children of all ages.
