Audiences to Experience Eight Masterworks and Five Symphony Soloists Over Two Programs
The Santa Barbara Symphony kicks off the first concert weekend of 2025 with Mozart Marathon — a two-day festival for the community to experience the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the extraordinary artistry of five soloists — on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 7:30 and Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 3:00 pm
at the Granada Theatre.
Music & Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti has carefully curated two different programs over two
days to highlight the prolific and prodigious nature of Mozart’s work. Each piece showcases a
different facets of Mozart’s brilliance — from the charming humor of The Impresario, the graceful
beauty of the Flute and Harp Concerto, to the festive energy of the ‘Haffner’ Symphony, and the
elegant serenade of Eine kleine Nachtmusik.
“Mozart’s work offers endless possibilities to explore his genius, which is why creating these
programs for the community was both a challenge and a joy,” explained Maestro Nir Kabaretti,
“Experiencing our extraordinary principal musicians as guest soloists not only provides
audiences with beautiful examples of Mozart’s incredible range but also brings into the spotlight
the virtuosity and passion of our Symphony family.”
PROGRAM 1 — SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2025 | 7:30 PM
● Mozart | Overture to The Impresario
● Mozart | Concerto For Flute and Harp
● Mozart | Violin Concerto No. 4 in D
● Mozart | Symphony No. 35 “Haffner”
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Jessica Guideri, Violín
Amy Tatum, Flute
Michell Temple, Harp
PROGRAM 2 — SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025 | 3:00 PM
● Mozart | Eine kleine Nachtmusik
● Mozart | Oboe Concerto
● Mozart | Symphony in D, K196/121
● Mozart | Piano Concerto No. 23 in A, K 488
Artists
Nir Kabaretti, Conductor
Natasha Kislenko, Piano
Lara Wickes, Oboe
SPECIAL FEATURES:
● Pre-concert Chats: Patrons are invited to attend “Conversations with KUSC” with
KUSC’s Classical California on-air host Jennifer Miller Hammel on Saturday, January 18
from 6:30 – 7:00 pm and Sunday, January 19 from 2:00 – 2:30 PM.
● Discounts: Patrons who purchase tickets for both performances, subscribers and groups
of 10 or more are eligible for discounts.
TICKETS
Tickets for the Mozart Marathon can be purchased at the Granada Box Office online, by phone
at 805-899-2222 or in person at 1214 State Street. For more information, visit
TheSymphony.org or call (805) 898-9386.
ARTIST BIOS
Jessica Guideri
Jessica Guideri, Concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Symphony, is a highly accomplished
violinist and an active recording artist featured on over 500 film and television soundtracks,
including Star Wars, The Simpsons and Frozen. She has taught at esteemed institutions
including San Diego State University, Utah State University, and the Eastern Music Festival.
Guideri is also a sought-after chamber musician who previously toured internationally as the first
violinist of the Fry Street Quartet, serving as a cultural ambassador sponsored by Carnegie Hall.
Guideri also founded, produced and performed in the Los Angeles-based chamber series
“Music Above the Clouds.”
Natasha Kislenko
Pianist Natasha Kislenko, praised for her “vividly expressive” interpretations (Santa Barbara
Independent), enjoys an international performing career and is a dedicated educator. A resident
pianist with the Santa Barbara Symphony since 2010, she has been a featured soloist
performing works by Mozart, Grieg, and Shostakovich to critical acclaim. Kislenko has taught at
UC Santa Barbara since 2007 and is a longtime collaborative faculty member at the Music
Academy of the West. Previously, she served at Westmont College and California State
University, Fresno. She holds graduate degrees from Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory,
Southern Methodist University, and a Doctorate from Stony Brook University.
Amy Tatum
Amy Tatum is an acclaimed flutist who’s in demand as a performer and an educator in the L.A.
music community. She is the newly tenured Principal Flute of the Santa Barbara Symphony and
has performed extensively with leading Southern California ensembles, including the LA Opera,
Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and Pacific Symphony. Tatum is a formidable film, TV video and
music recording artist, including credits on Avatar: The Way of the Water, Star Wars: Rogue
One, Family Guy, and Revenge to name a few. Passionate about arts education, Tatum spent
11 years teaching with LA Phil’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) and has inspired
countless students through her private studio and guest lectures.
Michelle Temple
Harpist Michelle Temple has been Principal Harp with the Santa Barbara Symphony since 1991
and Opera Santa Barbara for over 25 years. A Santa Barbara native, Temple is passionate
about sharing music with her hometown community. She is also a member of Pacific Symphony
and has performed with renowned ensembles such as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and
the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Temple has appeared alongside legendary artists like John
Williams, Kristin Chenoweth, and Placido Domingo and holds a music degree from Indiana
University and a Master’s from the University of Southern California.
Lara Wickes
Lara Wickes is currently one of the most frequently recorded oboists in the world, and principal
player for the Santa Barbara, Pasadena, and New West symphonies. Known for her versatility,
she has performed on over 200 film scores, including Star Wars, Encanto, and Avatar, on
albums for legendary artists including Barbra Streisand, Neil Young, and The Who, and on
television alongside Prince and Andrea Bocelli. She holds a doctorate from USC and has
performed with top ensembles like the LA Philharmonic and LA Chamber Orchestra. Passionate
about both modern and baroque oboe, Lara resides in North Hollywood with her family.
Full biographies for all of these musicians can be found here.
SPONSORS
Principal Concert Sponsor
Zagar Family Foundation
Selection Sponsors
Mark & Shelley Bookspan
Howard Jay Smith & Tricia Bivans Dixon
Frederic & Nancy Golden
Chris Lancashire
George Konstantinow & Helene Segal
