Highlights include Memorable Masterworks, Film Favorites, Star Soloists, & Community Collaborations — all on The Granada Theatre stage from October 2026 through May 2027
New 7-concert subscribers will enjoy a pair of tickets to Mahler’s Resurrection 2025/26 season finale
The Santa Barbara Symphony today announced its 2026/27 Season, an eight-month series that brings together iconic orchestral masterworks, celebrated guest artists, cinematic favorites, and community collaborations. Created by Music and Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti, this seven-concert season, which runs October 2026 through May 2027, invites audiences to experience symphonic music as a powerful form of storytelling.
The season features beloved classics alongside film music, opera, ballet, and multimedia presentations, creating concerts that are dramatic, imaginative, and memorable.
“This season reflects what makes the Santa Barbara Symphony special,” said Kabaretti. “Our musicians bring these great works to life in a way that connects deeply with our community. Whether through the excitement of a great symphony, the drama of opera, or the thrill of film music, these concerts are designed to be shared experiences that bring people together in the hall.”
Throughout the season, the orchestra brings a wide range of music to the stage. Some programs highlight vivid musical storytelling, from the dreamy sounds of Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun to the dramatic power of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. Other concerts expand the experience with visual elements, including a multimedia presentation of Holst’s The Planets with projected images and narration — a bespoke production, personally tailored by Dr. José Francisco Salgado in direct collaboration with Maestro Nir Kabaretti, making it a one-of-a-kind encounter with the cosmos.
Choral music also plays a prominent role this season, with the Santa Barbara Symphony Chorus featured in two programs. Audiences will hear Poulenc’s luminous Gloria and later experience Heavenly Opera, a theatrical program featuring the Prologue from Mefistofele by Arrigo Boito and Casta Diva: Homage to Maria Callas— a tribute to the legendary soprano, directed by Jonathan Fox, featuring an actress in the role of Callas.
Audiences will also experience a Valentine’s Weekend celebration of blockbuster film scores by John Williams and Howard Shore, and the season concludes with music brought to life through dance, including George Balanchine’s iconic choreography in Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, in a joint season finale with State Street Ballet.
“At its heart, The Symphony is about bringing our community together through powerful musical storytelling,” said Kathryn R. Martin, President and CEO. “Our collaborations with guest artists, local college students, and premier cultural partners like State Street Ballet and the Granada Theatre help us to expand how audiences experience a symphony concert and create moments that reflect the creativity and spirit of our community.”
Season subscriptions are on sale now, with packages starting as low as $190 for a full, seven-series package (that’s only $27 per ticket) and $192 for a flex, four-series package. Patrons who purchase a full-series subscription before May 16 will also receive a complimentary pair of tickets to Mahler’s Resurrection, the 2025/26 season finale.
Subscriptions may be purchased online, by phone at (805) 898-9386, or in person at 1330 State Street, Suite 102, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Single tickets will go on sale August 1, 2026.
The 2026/27 Santa Barbara Symphony season calendar includes the following programs and artists performing at the Granada Theatre:
OPENING WEEKEND
RACHMANINOFF’S SECOND CONCERTO
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 7:30 PM and Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
Michelle Cann, piano
Rachmaninoff | Piano Concerto No. 2
Shostakovich | Symphony No. 5
SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE!
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 7:30 PM and Sunday, November 15, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
Devon Guthrie, soprano
Santa Barbara Symphony Chorus
Debussy | Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Poulenc |Gloria
Berlioz| Symphonie fantastique
THE PLANETS
Saturday, January 23, 2027 | 7:30 PM and Sunday, January 24, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
Anne Akiko Meyers, violín
Dr. José Francisco Salgado of KV 265, narrator
Daugherty | Blue Electra (for violin and orchestra)
Holst | The Planets (with projected HD images)
HOLLYWOOD VALENTINE
JOHN WILLIAMS & MORE!
Star Wars @ 50
Saturday, February 13, 2026 | 7:30 PM and Sunday, February 14, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
Share classic cinema scores with that special someone on Valentine’s Weekend. By John Williams: Schindler’s List, Lincoln, The Terminal, and, of course, Star Wars. Thrilling themes from The Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore. And so much more, with members of the orchestra in dazzling solos!
BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH
Saturday, March 20, 2027 | 7:30 PM and Sunday, March 21, 2027 | 3:00 PM
Josep Caballé Domenech, conductor
Pablo Garibay, guitar
Lakshmi Basile “La Chimi”, flamenco dancer
Ponce | Concierto del sur
Falla | The Three-Cornered Hat, Suite No. 2
Beethoven | Symphony No. 5
HEAVENLY OPERA
Saturday, April 24, 2027 | 7:30 PM and Sunday, April 25, 2027 | 3:00 PM
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
Maritina Tampakopoulos, soprano
Zaikuan Song, bass
The Santa Barbara Symphony Chorus
Ojai Pixies Choir
Jonathan Fox, director
Boito | Mefistofele – Prologue in Heaven
Casta Diva: Homage to Maria Callas (in music, dialogue, and projected images)
JOINT SEASON FINALE
BRAHMS & BALLET
SLAUGHTER ON TENTH AVENUE
Saturday, May 22, 2027 | 7:30 PM and Sunday, May 23, 2027 | 3:00 PM
Nir Kabaretti, conductor
State Street Ballet
Brahms | Symphony No. 3
Barber | String Quartet No. 1
Rodgers | Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (choreography by George Balanchine)
