He hasn’t been in this community long, but Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero has already made a name for himself with his exceptional music-making and his star power.
During the Super Bowl LX half-time show in February at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, who should appear in a tux during Bad Bunny’s set, leading an orchestra and some young musicians for the artist’s song, “Monaco?” It was Guerrero, of course.
His musical start came in his adopted country, Costa Rica. That was after his family moved from Nicaragua, where he was born.
Guerrero appeared on WUSF’s “Florida Matters Live & Local” in late September and told host Matthew Peddie he’s looking forward to some blockbuster performances this season.
“For our December Masterworks, we have “Don Quixote,” by Richard Strauss, featuring two of our musicians from the orchestra playing the part of Don Quixote and his sidekick Sancho Panza, along with some of the most famous music out of The Nutcracker, and Carmina Burana coming later in the season. Emmanuel Ax pianist playing Chopin. It's going to be an incredible time with wonderful music, wonderful musicians with our fabulous orchestra,” Guerrero said.
Guerrero became a percussionist with his local youth symphony in Costa Rica after learning the fundamentals — like how to read music and taking solfege lessons.
“And I remember, like in the first couple of weeks, I went to the youth orchestra rehearsal. I was not playing in it yet, and I went on a Saturday morning, and I heard all these kids were about my age playing in this big ensemble, about 150 of them, and they were playing Rossini's “Barber of Seville” overture. And I just remember being mesmerized by just the sound. I mean, I had heard recordings, but to hear it live was something that has stayed with me all my life. I got goosebumps, and there was a part of me that said, "Wow, I would love to be part of that orchestra and join in,” he said.
He said the idea of the power of the music has stayed with him ever since. And it still gives him goosebumps.
Part of his role as Sarasota Orchestra music director is programming the music. He said he likes to balance it out.
“It is our duty as an orchestra to expose our audience to all of the different voices, not only from warhorses from the past, but the music [that] is being written. One of the pieces we're playing this season is the “Doctor Atomic Symphony” by John Adams, which is based on his opera about the life of Robert Oppenheimer. Which became even more popular recently with that movie “Oppenheimer” a couple of years ago,” he said.
Guerrero said he likes fast cars and listens to heavy metal when he has a long-haul trip. A recent trip from Miami to Sarasota featured “Iron Maiden” on the stereo, turned up loud.
One of the items on his bucket list would be to take a ride in a Ferrari.
“I have driven a fast car, yeah, but not that brand particularly. And so, if anybody is out there wants to like take me out for a ride, absolutely, I am available anytime.” he said.
And in case you were wondering, Guerrero does have a plan B.
“In case this whole conducting thing doesn't work out, I can always become a spokesperson. But I do have to say that this summer, this is one of the most fun things I have ever been invited to do. I guess after the whole thing with Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl in February, this summer, which I am the music director of the Grand Park, being successful in Chicago, the Chicago Cubs reached out and asked me to throw the ceremonial first pitch at one of their games with the Toronto Blue Jays, and this was not only a great honor, but having grown up playing baseball, I was like so incredibly honored,” he said.
And although he sweated over it. It went off well.
The Sarasota Orchestra opens its Masterwork series with a program called “Beethoven and Prokofiev.”
The concerts are Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 at the Van Wezel.
“With the wonderful superstar Gil Shaham coming to Sarasota for these performances, as well as Sergei Prokofiev's marvelous and optimistic Symphony Number Five,” Guerrero said.
And on Thursdays before the Sarasota Orchestra’s Masterworks concerts, Giancarlo Guerrero will talk to Classical WSMR’s morning host Mark Michaud at 8 a.m. about what you can look forward to hearing at the concert. Maestro Guerrero will share concert highlights and provide insights about the music you’ll be experiencing.
