Name: Sphinx Virtuosi
Start: 2026-03-12T19:30:00
Location: Lobero Theatre

The Sphinx Virtuosi, a dynamic ensemble of Black and Latinx classical soloists, returns to captivate audiences with their powerful performances emphasizing peace and unity. Featuring the talented cellist Sterling Elliott and violinist Randall Goosby, these events highlight musical works that resonate with themes of resilience and shared humanity. With performances across Philadelphia, Baltimore, Costa Mesa, and Santa Barbara, the Sphinx Virtuosi aims to uplift and inspire through a diverse range of compositions, from historical pieces by William Grant Still to modern works by Jessie Montgomery.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Celebration of Peace and Unity Through Music

This season, CAMA's 107th concert series promises a feast for the senses, featuring a lineup of world-renowned orchestras and soloists. Highlights include the Los Angeles Philharmonic's riveting performances led by Gustavo Dudamel, the return of the Philharmonia Orchestra, and a captivating program by Canadian pianist Louis Lortie. From Baroque duels with the Venice Baroque Orchestra to the soul-stirring artistry of the Sphinx Virtuosi, each event showcases the transformative power of music across cultures and eras.

A Season of Symphonies: CAMA's 107th Concert Series Unveiled

As the Sphinx Virtuosi embark on their latest season, they bring along a powerful narrative of resilience, unity, and peace through the universal language of music. Featuring the prodigious talents of Sterling Elliott and Randall Goosby, this journey sees the ensemble performing across various prestigious venues, exploring a repertoire that echoes the spirit of hope and collaboration. These events challenge us to reflect on our history and aspire to a future where music transcends borders and unites us all.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Celebration of Diversity and Peace Through Music

As CAMA gears up for its 107th concert season, Santa Barbara is set to become a hub of musical brilliance. From the Los Angeles Philharmonic's dynamic opening led by Gustavo Dudamel to the finale with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, audiences will experience a diverse range of performances. With artists like Louis Lortie, Emanuel Ax, and the Sphinx Virtuosi, each concert promises to weave a rich tapestry of sound, exploring themes of artistic freedom, national pride, and cultural diversity. Join us as we delve into what makes this season a hallmark of artistic excellence.

A Symphony of Seasons: Celebrating CAMA's 107th Concert Series

Embark on an enchanting journey with Sphinx Virtuosi, an illustrious ensemble of Black and Latinx classical musicians. As they grace stages across the U.S., featuring the remarkable talents of cellist Sterling Elliott and violinist Randall Goosby, their performances encapsulate a profound narrative of peace, unity, and resilience. Through the language of music, they navigate the complexities of history, stirring emotions and aspirations in a quest for harmony and understanding.

Sphinx Virtuosi: A Symphony of Peace and Resilience

Randall Goosby

CAMA

Sphinx Virtuosi

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra returns to Santa Barbara once again under the baton of its esteemed Music Director Emeritus for Life, Riccardo Muti. For more than five decades, Maestro Muti has been a commanding presence on the world’s concert stages, shaping the sound of leading orchestras and opera houses as one of the last of the great Italian maestros in the tradition of Toscanini. The program features two pinnacle masterworks, Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 and then Maurice Ravel’s Boléro with its mesmerizing orchestral crescendo that builds from a quiet whisper to perhaps the most most thrilling climax of the symphonic repertoire.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Granada Theatre

Seven-time Grammy® Award-winning pianist Emanuel Ax, renowned for his poetic lyricism and brilliant technique, returns to Masterseries with a program of piano masterpieces including works by Chopin, showcasing Ax’s profound affinity for this composer. A Juilliard-trained pianist who launched his international career with a victory at the First Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in 1974, Ax received the Avery Fisher Prize in 1979. He is also a dedicated chamber musician, frequent collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma, and a champion of contemporary composers. His extensive discography spans from the Classical era to the present day, reflecting a broad and deep engagement with the piano repertoire.

Emanuel Ax

Lobero Theatre

Celebrate Carnivale with the Venice Baroque Orchestra, led by violinist Gianpiero Zanocco. This program, titled A Venetian Duel of Bows, transports audiences to 18th-century Venice, showcasing the virtuosity and rivalry of the city’s great violinists. The program features concertos and sonatas by Vivaldi, Veracini, Tartini, and Locatelli, highlighting the dazzling technical displays and expressive melodies that characterized the Venetian Baroque style. Zanocco, who has been a member of the Venice Baroque Orchestra since 2003 and currently serves as its First Violin Shoulder, brings a deep understanding of the Venetian Baroque tradition and a remarkable technical command to this performance. This concert promises to be a vibrant and spirited celebration of Venetian musical heritage and of Venice’s Carnivale—with Venetian masks encouraged!

Carnivale with Venice Baroque Orchestra

The Sphinx Virtuosi, a dynamic self-conducted chamber orchestra comprised of 18 accomplished Black and Latinx artists, returns to CAMA with a program titled Visions of Peace. Featuring acclaimed violinist Randall Goosby, the concert explores themes of resilience, peace, and shared humanity through a diverse range of musical voices. The Sphinx Virtuosi are celebrated for their “immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty” (The Washington Post) and their commitment to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Fabio Luisi, concludes CAMA’s International Series with a program of Romantic masterpieces. The concert features the renowned pianist (and local favorite) Hélène Grimaud performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto, a work of passionate lyricism and dramatic intensity.

The program concludes with Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, a work that journeys from earthly concerns to celestial visions. Soprano Sofia Fomina joins the orchestra for the final movement, a setting of a poem from Des Knaben Wunderhorn (The Youth’s Magic Horn). This performance promises a powerful and uplifting conclusion to CAMA’s 107th concert season!

Sphinx Virtuosi

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