The Santa Barbara Symphony Reveals 2023-24 Season
Learn more about the lineup here!
By: Stephi Wild Jun. 26, 2023
The Santa Barbara Symphony has announced its 2023-24 season, continuing a musical legacy focused on the transformative power of music. Music & Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti, now in his 18th season with the Santa Barbara Symphony, has curated an expansive eight-month-long musical journey that spotlights local, national, and international talent, as well as community, collaboration, and classical traditions.
“Each concert aims to inspire audiences and create moments of awe, connection, and joy,” shared Kabaretti. “It’s an exciting time for me as an artistic director and for our musicians, as traditional symphonic music is inspired and influenced by diverse cultures, and an expansive range of contemporary musical genres. This season we traverse jazz, pop, opera, film scores, and more while celebrating classical favorites. I can’t wait to share this journey - and our extraordinary musicians with you!”
“With generous support from the community, The Symphony invests in high caliber professional orchestral musicians, guest artists, and faculty to create concerts and youth education programs that are unique to Santa Barbara and foster a sense of togetherness,“ said Kathryn R Martin, President, and CEO of the Santa Barbara Symphony. “The Symphony is for everyone, and the new season offers us an unprecedented opportunity to continue to attract classical music aficionados as well as music lovers of all genres.”
This season, the Symphony is participating in the California Festival: A Celebration of New Music, a two-week statewide festival inaugurated by the music directors of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Gustavo Dudamel), the San Francisco Symphony (Esa-Pekka Salonen) and the San Diego Symphony (Rafael Payare) that includes more than 50 organizations and ensembles who will highlight many of today’s most compelling and forward-looking composers. Additional highlights include genre-defying guest performers, a celebration of Oscar® film favorites, and creative artistic collaborations with Opera Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Choral Society, SBCC Quire of Voyces, Westmont College Choir, and members of the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus.
As a professional artistic resource to the community, audiences will also hear the Santa Barbara Symphony, conducted by Maestro Kabaretti outside of its normal season line-up providing live orchestral accompaniment to the State Street Ballet’s Giselle and a tribute concert to Van Morrison with the local rock band the Doublewide Kings.
Experience the Symphony’s 2023-24 season! All performances will take place at the Granada Theatre. Season subscriptions are on sale now with packages starting as low as $112 for a four-concert package, and $184 for a full seven-concert package - that gets you Beethoven 9 for FREE! Single tickets go on sale on September 1, 2023. For subscriptions and ticket information visit www.TheSymphony.org or call 805-898-9386.
Seven Subscription Concerts, one New Year’s Eve Concert, and two bonus events with other organizations:
Beethoven 9: An Ode To Joy, Hope & Community
Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Santa Barbara Choral Society
SBCC Quire of Voyces
Westmont College Choir,
Members of the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus
Soloists
Johanna Will, Soprano
Christina Pezzarossi Ramsey, Mezzo-Soprano
John Matthew Myers, Tenor
Cedric Berry, Bass-Baritone
Program
Aaron Copland | “The Promise of Living”, from The Tender Land
Franz Liszt | Les Préludes
Ludwig van Beethoven | Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral”
The 2023-24 Season opens with a celebration of the 200-year anniversary of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. In an impressive collaboration of four choral groups and a quartet of soloists, Nir Kabaretti conducts more than 200 performers—all with ties to Santa Barbara. Combined with Copland’s stirring orchestral composition “The Promise of Living”, capturing the essence of 1930s rural America, and Franz Liszt’s Les Préludes, a symphonic poem of sweeping melodies and dramatic mood shifts, this concert is sure to be an Ode to Joy.
Principal Concert Sponsor
Sarah and Roger Chrisman
Artist Sponsors
Susan Aberle
Brooks & Kate Firestone
Dr. Bob Weinman
Selection Sponsor
George Konstantinow & Helene Segal
Anne F. Sage & Jesse D. Sgro
Howard Jay Smith & Patricia Bivans Dixon
Vista del Monte Retirement Community
Musical E-Motion: Featuring Time for Three
Part of the California Festival: A Celebration of New Music
Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Time for Three
Nicolas “Nick” Kendall, Violín and Vocals
Charles Yang, Violín and Vocals
Ranaan Meyer, Double Bass and Vocals
Program
Kevin Puts | Contact
Alexander Borodin | Polovtsian Dances
Georges Bizet | L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2
Maurice Ravel | La Valse
This is a symphonic journey that will transport you through time and space! The infectious high-energy artistry of Grammy®-winning string trio Time for Three will have you on the edge of your seat with Contact, a triple concerto that explores the human experience, from acclaimed American composer Kevin Puts. Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances keeps the energy pulsating with its powerful & energetic rhythms. The pace mellows as the journey concludes with Georges Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 evoking the sights and sounds of rural France and Ravel’s haunting La Valse.
Principal Concert Sponsor
Montecito Bank & Trust
Artist Sponsor
Barbara Ann Clark
Selection Sponsors
Karen Drown & John Trotti
Chris Lancashire
New Year’s Eve With The Symphony: Timeless Classics - A Celebration of Pop, Rock & Broadway
Sunday, December 31, 2023, 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Artists
Andrew Lipke, Guest Conductor & Host
Christine Maxwell, Singer
Guest conductor and host Andrew Lipke puts the NEW in our New Year's Eve tradition as he leads the orchestra in a thematic celebration about the passing of time with a set of Pop, Rock & Broadway classics that will have you dancing in the aisle and waxing nostalgic. In a festive evening of music, Lipke trades the conductor’s baton for his guitar to create some symphonic surprises! Our traditional salute to the military and Auld Lang Syne sing-along will round out the evening as we all create new memories in time.
Principal Concert Sponsor
Samuel M. & Alene S. Hedgpeth
Conducting Sponsor
Dr. Bob Weinman
Opera At The Symphony: Fan Favorites
Featuring Opera Santa Barbara soloists
Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Karin Wolverton, Soprano
Deborah Nansteel, Mezzo-Soprano
Harold Meers, Tenor
Timothy Mix, Baritone
Anikka Abbott, Emcee
Soloists from Opera Santa Barbara join The Symphony! Experience the rapture of unforgettable moments from grand operas by Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Wagner, and others, including Madame Butterfly, Cavalleria Rusticana, and Tosca, to name a few. With local TV personality Anikka Abbott, a concert program of deception, romance, and tragedy unfolds!
Principal Concert Sponsor
Todd & Allyson Aldrich
Artist Sponsor
Duncan & Suzanne Mellichamp
Selection Sponsors
Barbara Burger & Paul E. Munch
Libby & Stephen Erickson
Janet A. Garufis
Frederic & Nancy Golden
Serenade For Romance: Valentine’s Week!
Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Sirena Huang, Violin
Program
Edward Elgar | Serenade for Strings
Antonin Dvořák | Violín Concerto
Louise Farrenc | Symphony No. 3
This strings-forward program is certain to bring out your inner romantic. Elgar's Serenade for Strings is a beautiful and intimate work full of rich harmonies and delicate textures that create a sense of familiarity and warmth. Dvořák’s expressive, Slavic-inspired melodies that make the most of the violín’s lyricism and showcases the impeccable technique of celebrated guest violinist Sirena Huang will feel like a love letter to the violín. Iconoclast French composer Louise Farrenc’s Symphony No. 3 in G in minor, considered almost heretical for its time, brings the program full circle.
Principal Concert Sponsor
Zegar Family Foundation
Artist Sponsor
Rachel Kaganoff Stern
Selection Sponsors
Judd* & Susan Lundt
Yakko & Richard Meyers
An Oscar© Celebration: Favorite Film Clips With Live Orchestra
In collaboration with the Granada Synergy Series
Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Artists
Constantine Kitsopoulos, Guest Conductor
Program
Erich Wolfgang Korngold | The Adventures of Robin Hood
Max Steiner | Gone with the Wind
Miklos Rozsa | Ben Hur
Bernard Hermann | Citizen Kane
George Gershwin | An American in Paris
Herbert Stothart | The Wizard of Oz
Experience the glamour and nostalgia of Hollywood’s Golden Age of Oscar®! Relive the memories of iconic movies and their indelible symphonic soundtracks. Classic scenes are presented via the Granada’s giant screen with The Symphony on stage playing live. Featuring music from Gone with the Wind, An American in Paris, The Wizard of Oz, and more.
Principal Concert Sponsor
Sarah & Roger Chrisman
Artist Sponsor
Christine A. Green
Selection Sponsors
Isabelle Meyer Stapf & Emmanuel Stapf
Susan & Bruce Worster
Mahler Meets Klezmer: Titans Of Sound
Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
David Krakauer, Clarinet
Program
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Overture to Abduction from the Seraglio, K.384
Wlad Marhulets | Concerto for Klezmer Clarinet
Gustav Mahler | Symphony No. 1 “Titan”
This concert will leave you in awe, starting with Mozart’s Overture to Abduction from the Seraglio, K.384. Prepare to be blown away by David Krakauer’s stunning performance of Wlad Marhulets’ Concerto for Klezmer Clarinet, which combines traditional klezmer (traditional Jewish & East European) music with classical instrumentation to create a truly unique and captivating sound. As for Mahler’s emotional masterpiece Symphony No. 1 in D major, “Titan,” you will understand why this performance is subtitled Titans of Sound.
Principal Concert Sponsor
Ann Jackson Family Foundation
Artist Sponsors
Brown Family Foundation in memory of Hans Koellner
The Lehrer Family Charitable Fund
Selection Sponsors
Eve Bernstein
Ruth & John Matuszeski
Stefan & Christine Riesenfeld
Rhapsody In Blue @ 100: Jazz Comes To The Symphony
Artist Residency in collaboration with the Lobero Theatre
Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Marcus Roberts Trio
Marcus Roberts, Piano
Roland Guerin, Bass
Jason Marsalis, Drums
Program
George Gershwin | Rhapsody in Blue
Marcus Roberts | Rhapsody in D
Charles Ives | Symphony No. 2
Classical and jazz aficionados unite in this commemorative concert highlighting 100 years of Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin’s creation is one of the most recognizable compositions to define the Jazz Age. The virtuosic and audience favorite Marcus Roberts Trio will pay homage in an unforgettable, toe-tapping performance of Roberts’ own re-conceived composition for piano and orchestra Rhapsody in D. Ives' Symphony No. 2 will round out the concert with a blending of traditional orchestral sounds, hymns, and marches.
Principal Concert Sponsor
Dan & Meg Burnham
Artist Sponsor
Marilyn & Richard Mazess
Selection Sponsors
Mark & Shelley Bookspan
Omega Financial Group
Wallin Studios
Bonus events featuring the Santa Barbara Symphony and Maestro Kabaretti, presented by other organizations:
State Street Ballet Presents Giselle
Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
State Street Ballet
State Street Ballet invited the Santa Barbara Symphony to accompany one of the most beloved ballets of all time,Giselle. This iconic romantic ballet is a must-see, a timeless story that has touched millions of hearts since its premiere in 1841. With Nir Kabaretti conducting and a superb international cast of State Street Ballet dancers, this classic tale of immortal love will come to life like never before. Thank you to Sarah & Roger Chrisman for leadership support. Purchase tIckets: Granadasb.org or 805-899-2222.
The Doublewide Kings And The Symphony Celebrate the Music of Van Morrison
Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Doublewide Kings
The Santa Barbara Symphony joins local rockin’ rollers, the Doublewide Kings, to celebrate the iconic and legendary music of Van Morrison and bring his inimitable platinum catalog to new symphonic heights. From "Brown Eyed Girl" to "Moondance" to "Wild Night" and "Tupelo Honey", Van Morrison’s songs have helped define a musical generation. Don’t miss this "all hits", one-night-only-in-Santa Barbara event and hear the orchestra and band reinterpret “classic”(al) rock. Purchase tickets: Granadasb.org or 805-899-2222
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