The Jacksonville Symphony honors Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting a few of the influential Hispanic composers whose works the Symphony performs this season, Hispanic musicians performing on the Jacoby Symphony Hall stage along with the Symphony’s exciting programs centered on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
Making a lasting impact: Hispanic composers in history
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946), a prominent Spanish composer, left a lasting mark on the world of music in the early 20th century. His Andalusian roots heavily influenced his works, blending Spanish folk elements with modernist techniques, resulting in an innovative musical style. Falla’s compositions feature rich harmonies, intricate rhythms and a distinct Spanish identity. His artistic brilliance profoundly impacted Spanish music. Some of his notable works include El amor brujo, Noches en los jardines de España and El Sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat). The Jacksonville Symphony performs the last piece as part of its Florida Blue Classical Series program, Rodrigo & Ravel’s Boléro, on November 8 and 9.
Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999), a distinguished Spanish composer, is celebrated for his profound contributions to classical music, particularly through his guitar compositions. Born in Spain, Rodrigo’s works are infused with the rich cultural heritage of his homeland, blending traditional Spanish elements with classical forms. His most famous piece, Concierto de Aranjuez, has become a staple in the guitar repertoire, which the Symphony performs with acclaimed guitarist Miloš Karadaglić on November 8 and 9. Despite losing his sight at a young age, Rodrigo’s remarkable talent and innovative spirit have left an enduring legacy, solidifying his place as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.
Pioneering excellence: Hispanic artists
For our Opening Night: Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” performance on September 21, we are privileged to be joined by Argentinean, operatic megastar: Isabel Leonard. As a three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, Leonard has established herself as one of the most in-demand performers as a star on the world’s leading stages and screens. In addition to her acclaimed roles at the Bayersiche Staatsoper, Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera and other venues this season, Leonard also appears in recital with Pablo Sáinz Villegas at the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, reprising their program of songs in Spanish. In the 2022/23 Season, she appeared in a tour of South America for concerts at Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Orquestra Acadêmica Mozarteum Brasileiro in São Paulo and at Teatro Positivo in Curitiba, Brazil.
Joining Leonard on stage as a soloist for Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection” is award-winning Soprano Ailyn Pérez. Hailed by The New York Times as “a major soprano,” Pérez is in demand at the world’s leading opera houses and cultural capitals. Internationally celebrated for her signature artistry and the winner of the 2012 Richard Tucker Award, she became the first Hispanic recipient in the award’s history. A highlight of the 2019/20 Season included the release of her new digital album, Mi Corazón, with Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang. The album is a heartfelt celebration of Pérez’s vibrant and music-filled heritage, featuring much-loved Spanish and Portuguese songs, as well as songs by Manuel de Falla, Manuel Ponce and Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Estelí Gomez performs with the Jacksonville Symphony as a soloist for Handel’s Messiah on December 14 and 15. In January 2014, she was awarded a GRAMMY® with contemporary octet Roomful of Teeth for best chamber music/small ensemble performance; in November 2011, she received first prize in the Canticum Gaudium International Early Music Vocal Competition in Poznan, Poland. Gomez can be heard on the soundtrack of Lena Dunham’s 2022 film Catherine, Called Birdy, Seattle Symphony’s 2017 recording of Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 3, on the first track of Silkroad Ensemble’s GRAMMY®-winning 2016 album Sing Me Home and others.
On April 27, Michelle Manzo performs as a soloist in the Latin Jazz Ensemble performance. Born and raised in Miami to Cuban and Dominican parents, Manzo grew up immersed in Cuban folkloric music. “Our family used to get together and play percussion instruments and chant. It is a spiritual connection that most Cubans have. But I had a special interest in classical music, especially [Johann Sebastian] Bach, [Wolfgang Amadeus] Mozart and [Ludwig van] Beethoven. I was eager to absorb anything musical.” Over the years, Manzo has performed alongside jazz legends like Les Paul, Roy Hargrove, Victor Jones and with Latin groups such as The Gypsy Kings. She has also recorded demos for GRAMMY®-winning songwriters and was chosen to debut Dave Brubeck’s latest composition before his passing. She continued to record commercial jingles as well as narrated and sang the children’s audio book on Celia Cruz’s life.
Goliath Flores joins Michelle Manzo as a vocalist and the guitarist in the Symphony’s Latin Jazz Ensemble performance. Flores is a professional performing musician as well as a private music teacher. Some notable people that he’s performed for are General Norman Schwartzkopf and owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shad Khan. Flores has also performed for companies such as eBay, Lockheed Martin and at events such as the Swanee Music Festival, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and more. Flores also spent 20 years playing for patients in hospitals with the impactful and highly regarded organization Body & Soul – The Art of Healing, founded by Jacksonville Symphony Tubist, James Jenkins.
The Jacksonville Symphony is honored that several world-class Hispanic musicians have graced the Jacoby Symphony Hall stage for decades. Kevin Karabell, Principal Trumpet, highlights the significance of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and embracing diversity in music.
“I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and grew up in Miami, Florida. These two cities had a huge influence on my trumpet playing. From a young age, I distinctly remember always hearing my mom practicing her salsa/merengue vocals. Our household was always filled with many different genres of music, and I am sure that helped model the way I perform to this day,” said Karabell. “When I was young, I would put my iPod on shuffle, and it would play everything from Juan Luis Guerra to [Richard] Strauss’ Zarathustra. My hope is when audiences come hear me play in the Jacksonville Symphony, they can hear my many Hispanic influences.”
Diverse and harmonious programming
On November 8 and 9, the Symphony welcomes one of the world’s most celebrated classical guitarists, Miloš Karadaglić, for its Rodrigo & Ravel’s Boléro performances. Led by Conductor Kevin Fitzgerald, this celebration of Spain’s vibrant musical heritage features Karadaglić’s masterful performance of Joaquín Rodrigo’s iconic Concierto de Aranjuez. The evening also features Maurice Ravel’s captivating Boléro, his Alborada del gracioso, Falla’s ballet The Three-Cornered Hat and the orchestral suites of Rapsodie espagnole for a must-see season highlight.
On April 27, the Jacksonville Jazz Collective, under the direction of Jazz Series Curator and Jacksonville Jazz Collective Director James Jenkins, presents the Latin Jazz Ensemble performance. Dynamic vocalist Michelle Manzo and guitarist/vocalist Goliath Flores headline the event, highlighting the rich traditions and influential figures of Latin jazz.
The Jacksonville Symphony is committed to making musical opportunities accessible to all through its DEI initiatives. A key aspect of this effort is diversifying both the audience and the musicians who perform with the Symphony. Partnering in this mission is Sphinx, a Detroit-based social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through diversity in the arts. Sphinx supports musicians at every stage of their careers, offering opportunities that promote artistic growth and recognition. In the 2024/25 Season, the Symphony looks forward to featuring more Sphinx artists on the Jacoby Symphony Hall stage.
The Jacksonville Symphony offers a range of music education programs that enrich the lives of students from diverse backgrounds. Among these, the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO) program supports over 200 young musicians from across Northeast Florida, spanning six levels of ensembles, including two full symphonies and four string ensembles. With a repertoire that grows in complexity, these ensembles include many Spanish-speaking students. Through these programs, the Symphony fosters student growth, embracing DEI as a guiding principle to shape the future of music.
