The Coral Gables Centennial year is drawing to a spectacular close with a grand finale concert at the iconic Venetian Pool, marking a significant moment in the city’s history. On Sunday, December 7th, the Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO), under the distinguished baton of Maestro Eduardo Marturet, will perform an unforgettable evening of music, history, and community, celebrating the culmination of a year-long tribute to the city’s 100th anniversary. This event truly encapsulates the spirit of the Coral Gables Centennial.
Celebrating Coral Gables Centennial: A Legacy of “The City Beautiful”
Coral Gables, incorporated on April 29, 1925, has spent 2025 commemorating its rich heritage and visionary spirit as one of America’s first planned communities. Throughout the year, a diverse array of events—from historical tours and museum exhibitions to community gatherings and cultural festivals—have paid homage to its founding principles and evolution into a vibrant cultural and economic hub, all part of the broader Coral Gables Centennial. The centennial celebrations have aimed to honor the past while fostering community connections and looking toward the future. The grand concert at the Venetian Pool is poised to be the ultimate capstone, bringing together the city’s historical significance with the artistry of world-class music, perfectly fitting for the Coral Gables Centennial.
Mayor Vince Lago encapsulated the sentiment surrounding the event, stating, “As we celebrate our centennial, we look to the future with harmony and pride and there’s no better place to do so than at the Venetian Pool, where Coral Gables’ story began.” This sentiment underscores the deep connection between the city’s origins and the chosen venue for its Coral Gables Centennial conclusion.
The Venetian Pool: A Historic Venue for the Coral Gables Centennial Finale
The Venetian Pool, a national historic landmark, offers a unique and breathtaking setting for this celebratory concert, an integral part of the Coral Gables Centennial. Originally opened in 1924 as the “Venetian Casino,” it was created from a former coral rock quarry, a testament to George Merrick’s vision and the architectural collaborations with Phineas Paist and Denman Fink. Modeled after the Venetian grottoes, the pool features Mediterranean Revival architecture, complete with loggias, bridges, waterfalls, and coral rock formations, making it one of the most distinctive public swimming pools in the United States.
Historically, the Venetian Pool has served as more than just a place for recreation. Its unique acoustic qualities have made it a favored site for musical performances, with orchestras having performed on its drained floor in its early days and again for the city’s 75th-anniversary commemoration in 2001. For the centennial finale, the pool will once again be transformed into an open-air stage, recreating the spirit of its earliest celebrations and the city’s emergence as part of the Coral Gables Centennial. This transformation promises a magical backdrop, blending the city’s architectural elegance with the grandeur of a live symphony orchestra under the stars.
Maestro Marturet and the Miami Symphony Orchestra: A Coral Gables Centennial Performance
Leading this celebratory performance is the renowned Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO), under the direction of its esteemed Music Director and Conductor, Eduardo Marturet. Since taking the podium in 2006, Maestro Marturet has been instrumental in elevating MISO into a world-class professional symphony orchestra, recognized for its diverse programming and deep community connections. He has cultivated a unique classical-crossover repertoire, reflecting the multicultural energy of Miami and its vibrant cultural events Miami.
MARTURET’s 20th anniversary as MISO’s conductor is being celebrated during the 2025-2026 season, making this Coral Gables Centennial concert a significant personal milestone intertwined with the city’s 100th year. His prolific career spans three continents, with numerous acclaimed recordings and collaborations with celebrated soloists across various musical genres. The Miami Symphony Orchestra itself, founded in 1989, is the official symphony orchestra of the City of Miami and has become a vital part of the region’s cultural fabric, showcasing exceptional talent and diversity, a perfect complement to the Coral Gables Centennial.
An Evening of Elegance and Harmony for the Coral Gables Centennial
The concert program is designed to resonate with the grandeur of Coral Gables’ heritage and its aspirations for the future, honoring the Coral Gables Centennial. While specific musical selections have not been detailed, it is expected that the performance will capture the elegance and artistry that define the “City Beautiful.” Guests will experience an evening of sophisticated music within the picturesque and historic setting of the Venetian Pool, offering a truly unique and memorable way to honor Coral Gables’ century-long journey. This Venetian Pool concert is the highlight of the City Beautiful celebration.
Event Details and Community Connection for the Coral Gables Centennial
The “Centennial Grand Finale Concert at the Venetian Pool” is scheduled for Sunday, December 7th, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST. Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event are available through Eventbrite, with pricing and further details accessible via the official Coral Gables Centennial website or Eventbrite listings.
This symphony orchestra performance serves not only as a grand conclusion to a year of festivities but also as a unifying event, bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate a shared history and a promising future for Coral Gables. The integration of music, history, and a landmark venue underscores the enduring spirit and cultural richness of Coral Gables, providing a fitting tribute to 100 years of “The City Beautiful” and the ongoing legacy of Coral Gables history.
