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.
“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
THE REPERTOIRE
Vivaldi | “Winter” from The Four Seasons
Cristian Carrara | Red Ferrari Accordion Concerto
(Co-commissioned by Santa Barbara Symphony, Orchestra della Toscana, Musica Insieme – Bologna, Richmond Symphony Orchestra & FVG Orchestra)
Puccini | Capriccio Sinfonico
Respighi | The Pines of Rome
EVENT SPONSORS
Principal Concert Sponsor
Montecito Bank & Trust
Artist Sponsors
Susan Aberle
Rachel Kaganoff
Selection Sponsors
Susan and Adam Berger
Mark & Shelley Bookspan
Wallin Studios
ABOUT HANZHI WANG
Praised for her “staggering virtuosity,” accordionist Hanzhi Wang is the only accordionist ever admitted to the Young Concert Artists roster, winning First Prize in its international auditions. She made acclaimed debuts at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall and the Kennedy Center and has since appeared with orchestras and at major festivals across North America and Europe. Wang released Naxos’s first-ever solo accordion album, earning international recognition, and continues to expand the instrument’s repertoire through new commissions written in her honor. Hanzhi earned her Bachelor’s degree at the China Central Conservatory of Music and completed her Master’s degree and Soloist Diploma at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. For Wang’s full biography, click here.
ABOUT CRISTIAN CARRARA
Cristian Carrera has been hailed as one of the most important composers of his generation. He mainly writes symphonic and chamber music, but also works in musical theater and television. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by major orchestras worldwide, including Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, the Slovenian Philharmonic, and the Santa Barbara Symphony. Notable works include the opera Cenerentola, the concertos War Silence and Machpela, and the symphonic Magnificat. Carrara serves as Artistic Director of Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini and Professor of Composition at the Conservatorio di Sassari. For Carrara’s full biography, click here.
