Ft. Lauderdale's Symphony of the Americas will host the I Musici Chamber Orchestra of Italy for Summerfest, sponsored by American Airlines, under the baton of the Symphony's Artistic Director, Maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese.

Musicians of the Symphony of the Americas will join the orchestra in cultural exchange, for one month of concerts in Europe, Florida, and Central America. Concert Programs will feature the music of Dvorak, Telemann, Purcell, Verdi, the legendary Argentine composer, Piazzolla, and a world premiere by Italian composer & soloist, Lorenzo Turchi-Floris, Summerfest Composer in residence. These performances are highlighted by the Symphony's principal flutist, Marilyn Maingart, Summerfest Concertmaster Orlando Forte and violinist Svetlana Forte and will be presented as two alternating programs which will enable audiences to attend more than one performance.

The Tour of Summerfest will continue from Italy to America July 6 with nearly 20 performances - in Florida as well as cultural exchange concerts and masterclasses in Panama. These activities and educational outreach take the masterful sounds of this great ensemble to audiences in corners of the world who have never before experienced the exhilaration of live orchestral performances of great composers.

I Musici Estensi, a professional ensembleformed in 2004 by Association ImmaginArte of Milano, has numerous performances in Italy and abroad, receiving notable critical acclaim. Founding Coordinator Carlo Taffuri and Musical Director Lorenzo Turchi Floris have inspired the ensemble's growth through nearly 200 performances in prestigious concert halls throughout Europe, the US and Africa – all well received by both audiences and critics.

The orchestra's versatility in musical repertoire is due to the willingness of its eclectic group of musicians to experiment with different genres of music. I Musici Estensi performs repertoire ranging from Baroque music, using original instruments, to twentieth century music including pop, gospel and jazz. This has given life to a "creative contamination" - another of the orchestra's special characteristics. The orchestra's current activities include new CD recordings, performances at international music festivals, and 2013 concert tours in the US and Africa.

Having just completed their 25th Anniversary Concert Season, Symphony of the Americas is a designated Major Cultural Institution in Broward County and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is its performance home.

Summerfest presented by American Airlines, is sponsored in part by Hyatt Regency Pier 66 -Luxury Hotels & Resorts, Sun-Sentinel, Wells Fargo, Madelyn Savarick, Funding Arts Broward, Broward Cultural Council & Board of County Commissioners. For further information, please contact the Symphony of the Americas office at 954 - 335 - 7002, or on-line at www.SOTA.org.