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SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY PERFORMS FOUR CENTURIES OF ITALIAN MASTERPIECES AT BELLA ITALIA

Featuring the American Premiere of Carrara’s Red Ferrari Accordion Concerto,
performed by virtuoso Hanzhi Wang

The Santa Barbara Symphony continues its 2025/26 Season with Bella Italia on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 7:30 PM and Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Granada Theatre. Conducted by Music and Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti, the program spans four centuries of Italian masterworks from the Baroque era to the present day, transporting audiences on a visceral musical journey across Italy—evoking sun-drenched hillsides, crisp mountain air, sweeping romance, and a few
delightful surprises.

The concert opens with one of the defining works of the Baroque concerto: Vivaldi’s “Winter” from The Four Seasons, followed by the American premiere of Cristian Carrara’s Red Ferrari Accordion Concerto, featuring acclaimed virtuoso Hanzhi Wang. The second half begins with Puccini’s youthful Capriccio Sinfonico, foreshadowing the lyrical style of La Bohème. The program concludes with brass blazing in Respighi's thunderous The Pines of Rome.

“Bella Italia invites our community to experience the orchestra’s full expressive range through the rich traditions of Italian music,” said Maestro Nir Kabaretti. “As the birthplace of opera and a driving force in the development of Western classical music, Italy has shaped the language of musical expression for centuries. From Vivaldi’s crystalline clarity to Puccini’s soaring lyricism,from Respighi’s vivid sonorities to Carrara’s vibrant rhythmic energy, each work calls for a distinct orchestral voice. What unites them is Italy’s deep love of melody and storytelling — qualities that demand both precision and passion from our musicians.”

The concert features accordionist Hanzhi Wang, whose work has expanded the instrument’s presence on the classical stage. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Wang has appeared with major orchestras in North America and Europe and was the first accordionist to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Her performances are noted for their clarity, control, and remarkable versatility.

Santa Barbara Symphony Announces Bella Italia Concert on March 28 & 29, 2026, “Hanzhi Wang is an exceptional artist,” Kabaretti added. “She brings focus and imagination to this concerto and reveals the expressive possibilities of the accordion in ways that audiences may not expect.”

Carrara’s Red Ferrari Accordion Concerto was co-commissioned by the Santa Barbara Symphony alongside Orchestra della Toscana, Musica Insieme – Bologna, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and FVG Orchestra. Inspired by Ferrari’s signature Rosso Corsa, the concerto reflects themes of motion, design, and aspiration. Its three movements — Velocità (Speed), Eleganza (Elegance), and Sogno (Dream) — balance rhythmic drive with lyricism,drawing connections between Italian cultural tradition and contemporary expression. Mr. Carrara is expected to be in the audience. Bella Italia reflects The Symphony’s ongoing commitment to honoring tradition while supporting new work.

“This concert beautifully reflects the Santa Barbara Symphony’s role as both a steward of tradition and a champion of new voices,” said Kathryn R. Martin, President and CEO of the Santa Barbara Symphony. “Co-commissioning Cristian Carrara’s new concerto means our Santa Barbara audiences will be the first in the country to experience this thrilling premiere and, as always, the rest of the concert will offer moments of surprise and delight.”

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Tickets for Bella Italia can be purchased online, in person, or by calling the Granada Theatre box office at (805) 899-2222. For additional details, visit TheSymphony.org. Subscriptions for the 2026/27 Season are also now available. Call (805) 898-9386 or visit The Symphony website for details.

THE ARTISTS Nir Kabaretti, conductor
Hanzhi Wang, accordion