The Festival Archives

Festival Timeline

1966 - The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) visits Daytona Beach for the first time with Sir Colin Davis as one of the conductors. At this time, the LSO is considered the first European orchestra to settle in a U.S. city for such an extended engagement, bringing 96 musicians, 43 spouses and 35 children.

1967 - Stetson University partners with the Festival to introduce the Festival Institute. Area students are welcomed at the Artist-in-Residence program.

1967 - Itzhak Perlman and his new bride honeymoon at the Festival. Perlman is featured as a guest artist along with Vladimir Ashkenazy and Andre Previn.

1970 - Financial hardships force a hiatus of the Festival through 1982.

1982 - Reborn under the newly formed Central Florida Cultural Endeavors, Inc., the Florida International Festival once again brings outstanding music and performances to the shores of Daytona Beach.

1985 - Festival organizers and the LSO plan to continue on a regular biennial schedule set for late July/early August. The number of concerts is shortened and features a more intense format.

1989 - The new Southern Bell Festival Fellowship Program, now the BellSouth Youth Ensemble, invites high-school musicians from across the Southeast to participate in LSO workshops and perform with the LSO during the LSO Youth Concert.

1991 - Mstislav Rostropovich makes his first stop in Daytona as both conductor and cello soloist with the LSO, marking the 25th Anniversary of the Symphony in Daytona Beach. As a first, the Festival expands its programming to include world class talents in other performing arts.

1993 - An increase in artists and performances prompts an increase in the number of days of the festival - from 10 to 17.

1995 - From music and drama to dance and family entertainment, the Festival establishes itself as an event with something for everyone.

1997 - Friends from all over the world reunite at the special Festival reunion. Three of the former Soviet Union's greatest stars - Mstislav Rostropovich, Rodion Shchedrin and Prima Ballerina Maya Pliseteskaya - take the stage with their wonderful talents.

1997 - The State of Florida names Rostropovich as an Official Florida Ambassador for the Arts.

2001 - Festival creates the Mothers-to-B-Minor program. Program highlights include guest lecturer Dr. Gordon Shaw, concert ticket packages for expectant mothers and special events in an effort to expose a younger audience to classical music.

2003 - Musical legend Mstislav Rostropovich returned to the Festival to conduct two highly received LSO performances. Latin American influences made their debut at the Festival and featured Arturo Sandoval, Noche Flamenca and pianist Horatio Gutierrez. More than 75 performances were scheduled from July 11-27, through both free and paid programs.

Soloists and guest artists
An artist-by-alpha list

Conductors
FIF/LSO conductors listed by year and alpha

Comprehensive FIF LSO Repertory 1966-2003
LSO Classic and Pops concert performance pieces

The Festival and the LSO
A brief history of the Florida International Festival

Festival Gallery
Selected photos from previous Festivals

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