Emmanuel Fratianni will again conduct the Santa Barbara Chamber Players in a concert of music by Gabriel Fauré, Astor Piazzolla, and Johannes Brahms on Saturday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara.

Emmanuel Fratianni will conduct the Santa Barbara Chamber Players on April 6. Credit: Dima James / Robert Torres photo

The concert will open with Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, a work inspired by Maeterlinck’s play of the same name. The suite is a beautiful and evocative work that captures the love and tragedy of the play’s characters.

Next, the orchestra will perform Piazzolla’s Adiós Nonino, a tango arranged by Eduardo Marturet. Adiós Nonino is one of Piazzolla’s most famous works, and it is a passionate and moving tribute to his father.

The concert will conclude with Brahms’ Serenade No. 1, a work that is full of charm and beauty. The serenade is a delightful work that is sure to please the audience.

Emmanuel Fratianni, known for his passionate and expressive interpretations, will conduct this vibrant program. A resident of Santa Barbara, he has led major ensembles in the United States such as the San Francisco Symphony, the Boston Pops, the National Symphony, the Detroit, Houston, and Baltimore Symphonies. He has also conducted internationally with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Spanish and the Czech National Symphony Orchestras. An award-winning composer and arranger, his music for interactive media has been performed by some of the finest orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. 

The concert will take place at the First United Methodist Church, 305 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, on the corner of Garden and Anapamu streets. Doors open at 7 p.m. for a pre-concert experience.

Tickets for this exceptional event are $20 for general admission, with free admission for students 18 years and younger. As part of the Santa Barbara Chamber Players’ commitment to nurturing young local talent, six talented high school musicians will join the professionals for Piazzolla’s Adiós Nonino.

This promises to be an evening of musical excellence, where the Santa Barbara community can come together to celebrate the power and beauty of orchestral music.

For ticket information and to stay updated on all things Santa Barbara Chamber Players, visit sbchamberplayers.org.