Event
Side-by-Side
Naples Philharmonic Special Performance
Naples Philharmonic
Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Radu Paponiu, conductor
Trey Leslie, marimba
Daoyi Liu, flute
Rachel Torres, violin
Sibelius — Finlandia
Ney Rosauro — Saudação from Concerto for Marimba and Strings
Lalo — Allegro non Troppo from Symphonie espagnole
Reinecke — Allegro molto moderato from Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
Tchaikovsky — Selections from The Sleeping Beauty
The Naples Philharmonic and Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra join forces under the baton of Associate Conductor Radu Paponiu to present one of the most spectacular performances of the season. Featuring prizewinners from the 2023-24 Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, each performing the piece that earned them their prize, the program culminates with an incredible side-by-side performance by the nearly 100-musician combined ensemble — a true testament to the talent of the students of the youth orchestra and a thrilling experience for the musicians onstage and audience alike.
The Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is generously endowed by the Schoen Family Foundation.
This performance is generously sponsored by Cliff and Mary Ann Johnson.
Tickets start at $15
Naples Philharmonic
Naples Philharmonic
Founded in 1982, the Naples Philharmonic normally performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts from September through June each year.
Meet the Musicians
Alexander Shelley
Artistic and Music Director Designate Meet Alexander
Jack Everly
Principal Pops Conductor Meet Jack
James Ehnes
Artistic Partner Meet James
Radu Paponiu
Associate Conductor Meet Radu
Alvin Ho
Assistant Conductor Meet Alvin
Youth Orchestra
Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
The Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (NPYO) is an intensive musical program that provides opportunities for accomplished middle school and high school student musicians to perform a wide range of symphonic works under the baton of Radu Paponiu, associate conductor of the Naples Philharmonic.
Learn more about the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Radu Paponiu
Radu Paponiu
Radu Paponiu is the associate conductor of the Naples Philharmonic and director of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Since 2017, Radu has conducted the Naples Philharmonic in more than 70 different classical, education and pops programs. As a guest conductor, Radu has appeared with the Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony and National Repertory Orchestra. Radu has collaborated with notable soloists such as Yefim Bronfman, Vladimir Feltsman, Robert Levin, Nancy Zhou, and the Ébène Quartet. Radu regularly serves as cover conductor with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Konzerthausorchester Berlin, and he has assisted conductors including Andrey Boreyko, Iván Fischer, Fabio Luisi, Stéphane Denève, Hans Graf, Donald Runnicles, Cristian Măcelaru, Bernard Labadie and Ludovic Morlot. Radu has served on the conducting faculty of the Juilliard Pre-College, as well as conductor for the Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard in Shanghai, China, and the Southeast Asia Music Festival in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Radu completed his Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Hugh Wolff. While in Boston, Radu was also conductor apprentice with the Handel and Haydn Society. In the summer of 2017, Radu was appointed assistant conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra in Colorado, as well as conducting fellow for the Cabrillo Festival Workshop in California. Radu participated in the prestigious American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival and School as the recipient of both the Albert Tipton Aspen Fellowship and the David A. Karetsky Memorial Fellowship. In Aspen, Radu furthered his studies under the guidance of Robert Spano, Larry Rachleff, Leonard Slatkin, Patrick Summers and Federico Cortese.
Radu began his musical studies on the violin at age 7, studying privately with Carmen Runceanu and Ștefan Gheorghiu. After coming to the United States at the invitation of the Perlman Music Program, Radu completed two degrees in violin performance under the guidance of Robert Lipsett at the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles. As a soloist and chamber musician, Radu has appeared in festivals throughout Europe and North America, collaborating with artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Clive Greensmith, Martin Beaver, Merry Peckham and Vivian Hornik Weilerstein.
Radu currently resides in Naples, Florida, with his wife, flutist Blair Francis Paponiu. In his spare time, he enjoys chamber music reading parties, fishing, biking and playing tennis.
Program Book
Program Book
View this month's program book to get general information about Artis—Naples and to read articles about this month’s activities. View the program insert* for specific information about this event.
Program Book
* Program inserts will be available online approximately ten days prior to the event.
