The Jacksonville Symphony will present “Romeo and Juliet: Tchaikovsky & Bernstein” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14 in Jacoby Symphony Hall as part of its Florida Blue Classical Series. Led by guest conductor Anna Rakitina, the program explores some of the most powerful love stories ever told through music — romantic, forbidden and unforgettable.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and its enduring influence, the concert shows how composers across generations have captured passion, longing and heartbreak. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy” anchors the program with sweeping melodies and dramatic contrasts that reflect the intensity and inevitability of young love.
Selections from Serge Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” bring the ballet’s vivid storytelling to life while Nino Rota’s iconic “Love Theme” from the 1968 film adaptation offers a moment of intimacy and devotion. Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story Symphonic Dances” reimagine the tragedy in a modern setting, bursting with rhythmic drive, urgency and raw emotion.
Together, these works create a cinematic evening, capturing love in all its beauty, urgency and fragility — perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day weekend.
Tickets are available at JaxSymphony.org or by calling the box office at 904-354-5547. This concert is part of the Florida Blue Classical Series.
