ST. PETERSBURG — The Florida Orchestra will kick off its 59th season with two live orchestra pop culture experiences: Steve Hackman’s Taylor Swift: The Symphony Era, set for Saturday, Sept. 12; and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” in concert live to film on Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, all at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg.
Tickets for Steve Hackman’s Taylor Swift: The Symphony Era start at $38. Tickets for Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” In Concert start at $28. Tickets are on sale now at FloridaOrchestra.org.
Swifties already know every word. Now they can hear Taylor Swift songs transformed. Created and conducted by Steve Hackman, Taylor Swift: The Symphony Era will span Swift’s storied catalog with songs from across her musical eras such as “Love Story,” “You Belong with Me” and “The Fate of Ophelia.” This isn’t a tribute concert: It’s a completely original experience that draws unexpected comparisons between songs and unearths new musical Easter eggs, promising to keep even the most dedicated Swifties on their toes. Four vocalists and band join the orchestra.
A composer, conductor and producer, Hackman has built a national reputation for his genre-defying productions that blend popular music with the power of a symphony orchestra — ranging from Brahms X Radiohead to Beethoven X Beyonce, Beethoven X Coldplay and Tchaikovsky X Drake.
Please note: Taylor Swift will not appear at this performance. This event is fan-sponsored and not endorsed by or in any way affiliated with TAS Rights Management, Taylor Swift, or their affiliated entities.
The adventure continues the following weekend with Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” in concert. Audiences will experience the entire blockbuster film on the big screen while The Florida Orchestra performs Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer’s score live to film.
The Sept. 19 performance falls on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, a tradition celebrated with plenty of revelry in honor of Tampa Bay’s pirate heritage. Pirate attire is encouraged at both film concerts.
Oscar and Grammy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer and his production team have scored each “Pirates of the Caribbean” adventure for the franchise. “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” is based on the attraction at Disney Parks and is the first installment of the film series. Set in the 18th century, the swashbuckling adventure follows the roguish Captain Jack Sparrow as he teams up with blacksmith Will Turner to rescue Elizabeth Swann from the cursed crew of the stolen Black Pearl. Led by the cunning Captain Barbossa, the undead pirates are bound by an ancient curse, setting the stage for a thrilling tale of danger, mystery and high-seas adventure.
The Florida Orchestra will perform nearly 100 concerts this season in venues throughout Tampa Bay, including a wide range of classical, popular and family-friendly music. Music Director Michael Francis launches The Florida Orchestra’s premier Hough Family Foundation Masterworks series with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture on Oct. 2 and 4 at the Mahaffey Theater. The Raymond James Pops series opens Oct. 9 and 10 with Revolution: The Music of The Beatles at the Straz Center and Mahaffey Theater. Led by Resident Conductor Chelsea Gallo, the Morning Matinees series kicks off Oct. 7 and 8 at Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Mahaffey Theater.
For the orchestra’s full 2026-27 calendar, visit FloridaOrchestra.org.