A Romantic Serenade

By Richard Mineards | February 27, 2024

Violinist Sirena Huang, conductor Nir Kabaretti, and SB Symphony performing to Elgar’s “Serenade for Strings” (photo by Priscilla)

Back stage with Nir Kabaretti, Sirena Huang, and Kathryn Martin (photo by Priscilla)

It was the musical version of pouring a gallon into a pint pot when Santa Barbara Symphony under maestro Nir Kabaretti performed “Serenade for Romance” at the 604-seat Lobero, having moved the show from the 1,553-seat Granada after a sprinkler mishap soaked the capacious stage.

The decidedly cozy concert featured violinist Sirena Huang, artist-in-residence for the February performances and 2022 winner of the world-renowned Indianapolis Violin Competition, with a program including Elgar’s “Serenade for Strings,” Dvořák’s “Violin Concerto,” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7.”

Huang, who made her debut with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra at the age of 9, has performed in more the 20 countries playing a 1739 Guarneri del Gesù violin.

To avoid total congestion given the considerably limited space, tickets were only available to symphony subscribers and current ticket holders.

A memorable evening for many reasons…