Maestro Steve Hackman

The Southwest Florida Symphony, Lee County’s only professional orchestra and the fourth oldest in the State of Florida, makes its long awaited, highly anticipated return to Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, April 17, with a Brave New Music concert, under the direction of rising classical-pop fusion star, Maestro Steve Hackman. During his time in quarantine, Hackman revised his innovative “Beethoven v. Coldplay” program to include new Coldplay songs that have been fused with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in addition to performances of original tunes by Hackman, making this version of his show a world premiere event.

Hackman has become a favorite guest conductor with the symphony because of his innovative arrangements, which fuse classical with contemporary music.

Tickets range from $15-$109 and may be purchased online at WWW.SWFLSO.ORG or at WWW.BBMANNPAH.COM , by calling the symphony box office at 239-418-1500 or the Barbara B. Mann Hall box office at 239-481-4849. Attendance is capped at 50% and all CDC guidelines will be followed to ensure the health and safety of patrons, musicians and staff. Temperatures will be taken upon entry, masks must be worn by patrons at all times and social distancing is advised.

Incidentally, Hackman’s “Mashupalooza: From Beyoncé to Beethoven” was the last mainstage concert the Southwest Florida Symphony performed at the Mann Hall (on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 2020) before the coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of theaters throughout the United States and the subsequent cancellation of all performing arts events around the world.

In addition to bringing his unique programming back to Southwest Florida, Hackman has notoriously celebrated the conclusion of performances in Lee County at Nice Guys Pizza in Cape Coral. Once plans for his return were secured, he specifically requested a post-concert outdoor party at Nice Guys new, much larger location situated at 1404 Cape Coral Parkway. Jovana Batkovic, Southwest Florida Symphony board member and Nice Guys’ owner, has agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds from the post-concert party to the orchestra.

The Southwest Florida Symphony is the only professional symphony orchestra in Lee County and one of the oldest on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Founded by conductor Arlo Deibler, the Symphony made its debut as a community orchestra on April 15, 1961, with a roster of 24 musicians who performed in community centers and schools throughout Lee and Collier counties. It has since grown to become Lee County’s premiere symphonic ensemble, with a roster of 70 world class musicians playing to packed houses at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The Southwest Florida Symphony’s mission is to celebrate the joy of music and to inspire audiences with a variety of professional-quality concerts that are accessible to all.

The Masterworks Classical Concert Series is performed at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at Florida Southwestern State College in Fort Myers.

The Pops Concert Series, also performed at Barbara B. Mann, takes its concerts to Charlotte Performing Arts Center as well.

Further details on concerts and events can be found at www.swflso.org