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The Granada Theatre, a landmark movie palace in downtown Santa Barbara, now serves as a concert venue.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
For the third stop on their 2023 North American Tour, Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra headed to the historic Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara.
Originally built as a movie palace, the Granada was transformed into a performing arts center nearly a hundred years later. It is part of Santa Barbara’s Historic Theatre District, home to several other landmark performance spaces, including the Lobero Theatre, Arlington Theatre and the Victoria Hall Theatre (now called “The New Vic”).
Along with Mesa, Arizona, a previous stop, the tour features CSO debuts in Stanford, California, and Stillwater, Oklahoma. The first leg culminates with two concerts in Toronto, marking the orchestra’s first appearances there since 1914. The programs consist of Beethoven’s Seventh and Eighth symphonies and Coriolan Overture, Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony, Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake and Ravel’s arrangement of Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition.
After the CSO returns to Symphony Center for a few weeks, Muti joins them Feb. 23-25 in Chicago and then in Kansas City for a concert Feb. 26 with Julia Fischer in Schumann’s Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony. They wrap up their winter tour by traveling to Florida for four concerts from Feb. 28 to March 4.
Violist Lawrence Neuman checks out the hotel's lush greenery before boarding the bus to Santa Barbara.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Herbert Bayer’s "Chromatic Gate" sculpture stands near the oceanfront park and Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Outside the Granada Theatre, violinist Mihaela Ionescu gets a hug from her grandson.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Before the concert, violinist Russell Hershow warms up onstage at the Granada Theatre.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Percussionist Patricia Dash finds a refuge backstage at the Granada.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
As the concert begins, Riccardo Muti leads the Chicago Symphony in Beethoven's Coriolan Overture.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
With a Granada Theatre mural as a backdrop, violinist Rachel Goldstein enjoys a water break during intermission.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
At intermission, percussionist James Ross relaxes backstage at the Granada.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
To begin the second half, Riccardo Muti leads the CSO in Liadov’s "The Enchanted Lake."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Trombone Jay Friedman waits backstage before the final work on the program.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Backstage, Principal Trumpet Esteban Batallán awaits the last work on the night's program.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
For the concert finale, Riccardo Muti leads the CSO in Mussorgsky's "Pictures from an Exhibition."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Clarinet Stephen Williamson takes a bow after "Pictures from an Exhibition."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Contrabassoon Miles Maner takes a bow after "Pictures from an Exhibition."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Timpani David Herbert acknowledges the sold-out crowd's ardent applause.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Members of the CSO trumpet section — Assistant Principal Trumpet Mark Ridenour, second trumpet John Hagstrom and Principal Trumpet Esteban Batallán — stand for a bow.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
For the encore, Riccardo Muti leads the CSO in the Intermezzo from Giordano's "Fedora."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
After the concert, Associate Principal Horn Daniel Gingrich flashes a wide smile.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
At a reception afterward, violist Diane Mues (left) and violinist Hermine Gagne enjoy a libation. The event was hosted by the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Assistant Principal Bassoon William Buchman meets up with Dan Burdick, a friend and fellow musician, with whom he played with at University of Southern California and the Tanglewood Music Festival and had not seen for 30 years.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Here's a toast to three CSO staffers who make things happen: Eileen Chambers, director of communications and public relations; Heidi Lukas, director of operations, and Allison Szafranski, director of leadership gifts.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
J. Lawrie Bloom, who retired from the CSO in 2020, makes a special guest appearance and chats with Jennifer Gunn.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
After the concert, CSO stagehands move trunks onto trucks for the drive to Stanford, the next stop.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
