World-renowned violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony take the stage in an expansive program
Direct from Carnegie Hall: Avner Dorman’s Double Concerto to receive its West Coast Premiere; co-commissioned by The Symphony
Patrons who buy tickets for both Saturday & Sunday performances save 20%
The Santa Barbara Symphony will bring its 2024/25 season to a dramatic close with a two-concert finale spotlighting internationally acclaimed violinist Gil Shaham. Led by Maestro Nir Kabaretti, the Symphony presents two distinct programs at The Granada Theatre on Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 PM. The weekend celebrates Shaham’s Grammy-winning artistry while featuring a duo performance alongside his wife and fellow violinist Adele Anthony and the West Coast premiere of a compelling co-commissioned work on Sunday.
“This weekend captures the very spirit of what The Symphony stands for — extraordinary artistry and adventurous programming,” said Music & Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti. “With world-renowned soloists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony, and the West Coast Premiere of Avner Dorman’s Double Concerto, which we’re proud to have co-commissioned, we’re closing the season with a celebration that promises to be both inspiring and unforgettable.”
Kabaretti has created a weekend celebration of musical versatility and vision. On Saturday evening, the orchestra and Shaham perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic Violin Concerto, one of the most thrilling works in the repertoire. This concert concludes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, a radiant, joy-filled work that blends Bohemian folk influences with romantic grandeur.
On Sunday afternoon, Shaham is joined by Adele Anthony for an inspired program that journeys from the Baroque to the present day. The husband and wife duo will perform J.S. Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, followed by the West Coast Premiere of Avner Dorman’s Double Concerto, “A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance.” Structured as a continuous 18-minute work comprising four interconnected movements, the concerto explores a spectrum of emotions, juxtaposing sorrow and joy, as reflected in its title.
Bringing new works into the world is important to The Symphony, and this work was commissioned by a national consortium: the Santa Barbara Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, Sejong Soloists, and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. The piece is dedicated to Shaham and Anthony, who premiered it on April 8, 2025, at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall.
SATURDAY PROGRAM
Tchaikovsky| Violin Concerto
Dvořák| Symphony No. 8
SUNDAY PROGRAM
J.S. Bach | Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor
Avner Dorman | Double Concerto (West Coast Premiere)
Dvořák | Symphony No. 8
TICKETS
Tickets for Gil Shaham Weekend can be purchased at the Granada Box Office online, by phone at 805-899-2222, or in person at 1214 State Street. Patrons Who Buy Tickets for Both Concerts Save 20%. For more information, visit TheSymphony.org or call (805) 898-9386.
CONVERSATIONS WITH KUSC
Audiences can listen to interviews with guest artists and gain insights about the music during The Symphony’s pre-concert chat: Conversations with KUSC at the Granada Theatre led by KUSC Classical California on-air personality Jennifer Miller Hammel.
- Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 6:30 – 7:00 PM
- Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 2:00 – 2:30 PM
SPONSORS
Artist Sponsors
Ellen Lehrer Orlando & Thomas Orlando
Commission Sponsor
Christine & Stefan Riesenfeld
Selection Sponsors
Libby & Stephen Erikson
Judd* & Susan Lundt
Yakko & Richard Meyers
About Gil Shaham
Gil Shaham is one of the world’s premier violinists, celebrated for his flawless technique, warmth, and musical depth. A Grammy Award-winner and Musical America’s “Instrumentalist of the Year,” he performs with top orchestras worldwide. He has recorded over two dozen acclaimed albums, including his celebrated 1930s Violin Concertos series. He tours internationally as a soloist and recitalist, often with pianist Akira Eguchi, and plays a rare 1719 Stradivarius violin. Shaham also founded the Canary Classics label.
About Adele Anthony
Adele Anthony is an internationally acclaimed violinist whose career was launched by winning the 1996 Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition. She has performed with major orchestras across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, including the Houston Symphony, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. A passionate chamber musician, she appears regularly at La Jolla SummerFest and Aspen. Her diverse discography spans Bach to Glass, including recordings for Naxos, Deutsche Grammophon, and Canary Classics.
