Summer Arts Classical Music Preview

Ask those who have attended the concerts and masterclasses of the Music Academy of the West faithfully for years what the best parts of the festival are and you are likely to get many different answers. Some love the picnic concerts, while others are devoted to the Tuesdays at 8 series. Masterclasses offer the higher level of pleasure that can accompany witnessing new musical inspiration strike. Whatever your taste, the academy’s extensive schedule of programs is bound to offer something to please you.

Music Academy of the West 60th Anniversary Community Concert

With John Williams conducting and Gil Shaham on violin. At $13.50, this is the musical bargain of the season. Sat., June 23, 7pm. S.B. Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Tuesdays @ 8

These chamber music concerts include special guests and the academy’s faculty in a challenging series of pieces ranging from Brahms to Takemitsu. Tue., June 26-Tue., Aug. 7, 8pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Picnic Concerts at Miraflores

These concerts are the most romantic-and among the most popular-classical music events of the summer. They feature the young artists of the academy in performance and discussion. Fri., June 29-Wed., Aug. 8; picnic 5:30pm, discussion 7pm, concert 7:30pm. Abravanel Hall, 1070 Fairway Rd. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Academy Festival Orchestra with David Robertson, Conductor

Orli Shaham joins the orchestra on piano, so expect some contemporary music on the program. Sat., June 30, 8pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Santa Barbara Symphony 4th of July Concert

Bring your lawn chairs, but leave the fireworks at home; there will be plenty of those on the stage. Wed., July 4, 5pm. Courthouse Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa St. Call 898-9386 or visit thesymphony.org.

Concerto Competition Finals

It’s American Idol for concert pianists. The winner gets to perform with the festival orchestra on July 21. Sat., July 7, 10am. Abravanel Hall, 1070 Fairway Rd. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Opera Showcase

With Lotfi Mansouri, stage director, and Warren Jones, music director, presenting scenes from operas by Mozart, Britten, and Tchaikovsky. Sat., July 14, 2pm and Mon., July 16, 7:30pm. Abravanel Hall, 1070 Fairway Rd. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Festival Orchestra with Jeffrey Tate, Conductor

Jeffrey Tate will lead the orchestra in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, op. 67. Sat., July 14, 8pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Tak¡cs String Quartet

Tak¡cs is considered to be one of the greatest contemporary string quartets. Thu., July 19, 8pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Festival Orchestra with Edwin Outwater, Conductor

Edwin Outwater, who conducts the San Francisco Symphony and the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, will lead the musicians on the always thrilling concerto competition night. Sat., July 21, 8pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Thomas Hampson

The baritone is world-renowned-and a distinguished alumnus of the Music Academy. Sun., July 22, 7pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Vocal Chamber Music

With direction by the incomparable Warren Jones. Thu., July 26, 7:30pm. Abravanel Hall, 1070 Fairway Rd. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Marilyn Horne Vocal Masterclass

Academy vocal director Marilyn Horne gives her all in these very popular masterclasses. Sat., July 28, 3pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

La Bohme

Puccini’s masterpiece will be conducted by Christopher Larkin and directed by Casey Stangl. Fri., Aug. 3, 7:30pm and Sun., Aug. 5, 2:30pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Academy Chamber Orchestra with Gilles Apap

Santa Barbara favorite Gilles Apap will conduct and play violin. Sat., Aug. 4, 8pm. First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Canadian Brass

These Canadian virtuosos keep academy audiences coming back for more. Mon., Aug. 6, 7:30pm. Abravanel Hall, 1070 Fairway Rd. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

Festival Orchestra with Alexander Lazarev, Conductor

No one leads these all-Russian programs like the dynamic Alexander Lazarev. They are always a highlight of the academy’s orchestra series. Sat., Aug. 11, 8pm. Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org.