The Orlando Ballet made a surprise announcement Thursday night when it unveiled its new season. For the first time in nearly a generation, a live orchestra will accompany every mainstage performance.

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Central Florida Arts Symphony Orchestra will play for performances beginning with the Ballet’s new season in October.

Ballet interim Executive Director James Cundiff said the decision came after many conversations with ballet fans and audience members.

“Orlando Ballet needs to be able to provide an experience for our audience that can’t be found anywhere else in Central Florida for any price, and live music was a key element of being able to deliver that,” said Cundiff.

It’s been more than twenty years since a live orchestra accompanied an Orlando Ballet season.

“There’s always a rationale for making cuts to remain a strong organization,” Cundiff said. “My sense is that you can’t remove things from the art and expect the audience to come with you.”

The new season includes performances of “Beauty and the Beast,” “Don Quixote,” and “Giselle.”