Lights, action, drama! Join us THIS WEEKEND for Operas of Seville

IN OPERA, LOVE ALWAYS WINS...OR NOT

Would Carmen have stayed with José if she hadn't met the bullfighter? Why were opera-goers outraged by The Marriage of Figaro? In Fidelio, why did Florestan lose his liberty? Interesting questions. Read on...

Our October 21/22 program, Operas of Seville, will highlight a dazzling array of five operas set in this magnificent city. Santa Cruz Symphony will perform orchestral selections from operatic works by Mozart, Rossini, Beethoven, Verdi, Bizet, and Waxman.

You'll hear Overtures from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) and Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), both based on a series of plays by Pierre Beaumarchais featuring the character of Figaro. Beethoven’s Leonore Overture no. 3 distills the essence of the work that would evolve into Fidelio, his only opera. Similarly, Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) offers the opera's story in miniature form, containing hints and themes from the work as a whole. We know you'll recognize many of these pieces!

Arranged by Bizet’s friend Ernest Guiraud after his death, Carmen Suites 1 & 2 draw from Bizet’s Carmen, a convention-breaking opera that scandalized audiences in 1875 because of its overt sensuality. The orchestra will draw again from Carmen with Carmen Fantasie, composed by Franz Waxman in the 1940s and intended for some of the world’s greatest violinists.

Our new concertmaster Nancy Zhou will make her Santa Cruz Symphony debut as soloist with an exquisite virtuoso performance of Carmen Fantasie.

Oh, about those questions we asked. Attend our free pre-concert talks an hour before each performance to get all the gossip and intrigue presented in each of the five operas.

For the best seats, order your tickets now for Your Symphony’s stunning second concert of the season!

Open rehearsal of Operas of Seville:

Friday October 20 at 7:30 PM at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz

Evening performance of Operas of Seville:

Saturday October 21 at 7:30 PM at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz

Pre-concert talk at 6:30 PM

Matinee performance of Operas of Seville:

Sunday October 22 at 2:00 PM at the Henry J. Mello Center in Watsonville

Pre-concert talk at 2:00 PM

Join us November 5 for a piano recital with Hakan Ali Toker

Turkish pianist Hakan Ali Toker has something very special to celebrate! His full sense of hearing has been restored, so he is changing his approach to music. A childhood accident progressively reduced his ability to hear a full range of sound. But surgery a few months ago changed his entire world. Now he can hear his music the same way his audience does.

"I had no idea the difference would be so huge! Now that everything is much louder and clearer, I feel like saying less with fewer notes. Every sound has meaning and a spiritual effect on me now." Mr. Toker says. 

He was so grateful that he gave a recital in Istanbul to honor the doctors and others who gave him a gift that will change the foundations of his musical career.

Now you can celebrate with him as Santa Cruz Symphony presents Hakan Ali Toker in recital at 2 PM on Sunday, November 5, at Cabrillo College's Samper Recital Hall. This performance will be a piano extravaganza – a follow-up to his brilliant debut with Your Symphony last season.

This recital will feature classical standards by Bach, Brahms, and Chopin, as well as Mr. Toker’s own compositions and arrangements. Maestro Daniel Stewart will join him on several of his works for viola and piano.

As always, our recitals are held in an intimate setting, where the musicians interact with the audience. Because of the limited capacity, order your tickets now for the best seating.

Hakan Ali Toker

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 at 2 PM

Samper Hall at Cabrillo College

We're offering special discount packages to anyone who purchases three recitals in the series. Purchase three recitals and you'll save $20 total on your tickets!

All recital ticket sales are handled by the Cabrillo Box Office. You can find this excellent deal on the ticket page at this link, by clicking the "buy recital tickets" button above, or by calling the Cabrillo Box Office at 831-479-6154. We hope to see you there!

COMEDY, TRAGEDY, AND ROMANCE: OPERAS OF SEVILLE ON OCTOBER 21/22!

COMEDY, TRAGEDY, AND ROMANCE IN SEVILLE

Why have more than 100 operas been set in Seville? We think we have the answer. Seville is brimming with picturesque plazas, historical monuments, and stunning architecture in Moorish and Gothic styles. Could there be a more perfect backdrop for the comedy, tragedy, and seductive romance of opera? Of course not! And Your Symphony is ready to prove it.

Our October 21/22 program, Operas of Seville, will highlight this dazzling array of operas. Santa Cruz Symphony will perform orchestral selections from operatic works by Mozart, Rossini, Beethoven, Verdi, Bizet, and Waxman.

Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) and Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) are both based on a series of plays by Pierre Beaumarchais featuring the character of Figaro. The Symphony will bring us the Overtures from these timeless comic operas. (We know you'll recognize many of these pieces!) Beethoven’s Leonore Overture no. 3 distills the essence of the work that would evolve into Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera. Similarly, Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) offers the opera's story in miniature form, containing hints and themes from the work as a whole.

Arranged by Bizet’s friend Ernest Guiraud after his death, Carmen Suites 1 & 2 draw from Bizet’s Carmen, a convention-breaking opera that scandalized audiences in 1875 because of its overt sensuality. The orchestra will draw again from Carmen with Carmen Fantasie, composed by Franz Waxman in the 1940s and intended for some of the world’s greatest violinists. Our new concertmaster Nancy Zhou will make her Santa Cruz Symphony debut as soloist with an exquisite virtuoso performance of this piece.

Mark your calendar and order your tickets now for Your Symphony’s stunning second concert of the season!

STILL NEED TO BUY SEASON TICKETS? Four-concert subscriptions are available for purchase until October 19.

Mads Tolling & The Mads Men recital, plus Echos of Empire concert rebroadcast!

 

THIS SUNDAY, ENJOY A RECITAL AND A CONCERT REBROADCAST ON THE SAME DAY!

Fall in love with jazz all over again! Our popular recital series will start off the 2023-24 season with a bang. Two-time Grammy Award winner Mads Tolling & the Mads Men will perform in person at the intimate Samper Hall at Cabrillo College. The Mads Men will bring us tunes from their critically-acclaimed release Playing the 60s, ranging from "A Taste of Honey" and "Meet the Flinstones" to "Good Vibrations" and "Georgia On My Mind." Joining Mads on his journey are his Mads Men — world-class musicians Frank Martin on piano and Gary Brown on bass.

Click here to learn more about this incredible group. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear a true jazz legend. Seating is limited, so reserve now!

"This is stellar performing. Tolling's playing is near unbelievable." — C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

Mads Tolling & the Mads Men
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 at 2 PM
Samper Hall at Cabrillo College

To celebrate the kickoff of our recital series, we're offering special discount packages to anyone who purchases three or four recitals in the series.Purchase three recitals and you'll save $20 total on your tickets; purchase four recitals and save $25!

All recital ticket sales are handled by the Cabrillo Box Office. You can find this excellent deal on the ticket page at this link, by clicking the "buy recital tickets" button above, or by calling the Cabrillo Box Office at 831-479-6154. We hope to see you there!

ECHOS OF EMPIRE FULL CONCERT REBROADCAST IS OCTOBER 8!

Our Echos of Empire concerts on September 23 and 24 were incredible! The drum concerto alone had the audience on its feet. If you missed the concerts, or just want to relive this performance, you can listen to the concert rebroadcast.

At 4 PM on Sunday, October 8 go to KAZU.org's classical station (or click the button below to be taken there) to experience the entire program performed by the Santa Cruz Symphony!

Here's how to listen:

1 - Go to the KAZU website

2 - Click "All Streams" underneath the red Donate button and select the Classical station from the drop-down menu

3 - Click the play button in the grey bar at the top left part of the page, just underneath the KAZU logo. At 4 PM on Sunday, clicking this button will play the Echos of Empire concert.

You can find more information about listening to KAZU broadcasts here, including how to tune in on your HD radio station.

Announcing our Santa Cruz Symphony Recital Series!

When it comes to the Santa Cruz Symphony's Recital Series, you ain't seen nothin' yet! This season, we've invited some of today's most brilliant musicians to bring a bit of jazz, pop, and world music to the stage. (Yes! The Symphony is more than just classical music!)

Our recitals are presented in an intimate setting at Cabrillo College, so you'll be up close and personal with these world-renowned musicians. Buy tickets early to guarantee your place!

Mads Tolling & the Mads Men
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 at 2 PM
Samper Hall at Cabrillo College

Mads Tolling & The Mads Men bring a fun and exciting program that is as nostalgic as it is contemporary, with re-imagined classic songs from 1960s television, film and radio. Mads, internationally renowned violinist, composer and two-time Grammy Award-winner, takes us back to the 60s serving up fun-filled nostalgia, exciting arrangements of familiar tunes and fresh takes on jazz standards and the not-so-standard – pushing the boundaries of where a violin can go.

"This is stellar performing. Tolling's playing is near unbelievable."— C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

Hakan Ali Toker
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 at 2 PM
Samper Hall at Cabrillo College

Hakan Ali Toker is back by popular demand following his astounding Santa Cruz Symphony piano debut last season, in which he played two pianos at once. Hailing from Turkey, he began his musical studies in Ankara, completing his education at Indiana University School of Music. He added ethnic world music while continuing his work in the classics. Hakan performed with the bands Salaam (Middle Eastern), Silk Road (Central Asian), and Orquesta Son (Latin American).

"The musician who can pull a rabbit out of the piano!" — Şefik Kahramankaptan, Sanattan Yansımalar (Turkey)

Destiny Muhammad
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 at 2 PM
Samper Hall at Cabrillo College

Destiny Muhammad, who bills herself as The Harpist from the Hood, returns after a stunning performance in 2022 with Santa Cruz Symphony. A masterful jazz singer, composer, harpist, and band leader, she is known for work with Azar Lawrence, Marcus Shelby, Omar Sosa, and John Santos. Destiny has rightly been called a "sound sculptor" and has been compared with Alice Coltrane. She was awarded the ASCAP Songwriter Award, California Entertainers Music Awards Female Jazz Artist of the Year, SF JAZZ Teaching Artist, Bay Area Jazz and Blues Award, and a Raise Karma Virtual Residency position. She's unforgettable!

"Listeners are taken to ethereal worlds of beauty and enchantment by the emotional depth and captivating storytelling in her works." — Viberate

Dr. Gwendolyn Mok
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 at 2 PM
Samper Hall at Cabrillo College

Gwendolyn Mok has performed as pianist in many of the world's leading concert halls. As an expert on Ravel, she frequently plays and records with major international orchestras such as the London Symphony and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. A soloist with Symphony Silicon Valley, she co-produced and appeared in four sold-out performances of The Gershwin Radio Hour. Dr. Mok studied at the Julliard School of Music, Yale University, and State University of New York, where she earned her doctorate. She is a faculty member at San Jose State University.

"Her clarity and fluency were a joy to behold."— Steinway Society