Steamy passion, ruthless politics, and vocal pyrotechnics abound in Handel’s best known opera, inspired by antiquity’s notorious power couple. Think House of Cards in ancient Egypt.

EPSG:4326

Caesar and Cleopatra

Lobero 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

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

Valentine’s weekend brings the sweep of cinema’s most romantic melodies. A concert of love themes, stories, and songs from nearly a dozen Hollywood classics: Out of Africa, Dr. Zhivago, To Kill a Mockingbird, and more!

Romantic Hollywood

Granada Theatre

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFe6mW6x9pc

The Artelize Podcast: 'Amplifying What Makes Us Human'. A conversation with Zuly E. Inirio

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

Seven-time Grammy® Award-winning pianist Emanuel Ax, renowned for his poetic lyricism and brilliant technique, returns to Masterseries  with a program of Romantic masterpieces. The program includes an all-Chopin second half, 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, piano

Venice Baroque Orchestra

Eagles fans! Mark your calendars because on February 9, 2026 Eagles Tribute – “Take It To The Limit” from Vancouver, is making a spectacular return to Santa Barbara! Get ready for an unforgettable night of live music as some of Canada’s most talented musicians and vocalists bring to life your favourite Eagles hits, including classics like “Hotel California,” “Heartache Tonight,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Take It To The Limit,” “Desperado,” “Life In The Fast Lane,” “Take It Easy,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” and more!

Take it to the Limit

This intimate and electrifying dive into the soul of Argentine dance is led by World Tango Champions Germán Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi. Featuring a cadre of exceptional dancers, a powerhouse singer and a live band performing Astor Piazzolla’s revolutionary nuevo tango, this sultry ensemble delivers a breathtaking, high-octane performance. Cornejo’s innovative choreography fuses deep-rooted traditions with a contemporary edge, capturing the seductive pulse of Buenos Aires. Following sold-out runs in London, the highly anticipated Santa Barbara premiere unveils tango in its purest form: bold, sensual and unforgettable.

Tango After Dark

One of the most charismatic leading men on today’s opera stage, Juan Diego Flórez, bel canto tenor, is known for his interpretations of Puccini, Donizetti and Rossini. This rare North American appearance in the historic Lobero Theatre will include highlights from his illustrious career in bel canto as well as classic Spanish songs from his childhood in Peru. Experience the majesty of one of the world’s most impressive vocal artists. With breathtaking technique and unmistakable charm, Flórez brings passion and precision to every note.

Juan Diego Flórez, tenor

Music by Jessie Montgomery, Dai Wei, Fjóla Evans, and Franz Schubert.

Schubert, Montgomery & More

First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica

Chamber Music OC

Music Academy of the West

Don McLean, known as the “American Troubadour,” is a singer-songwriter who achieved international fame with his 1971 song “American Pie,” an eight-and-a-half-minute folk rock anthem which was inducted into the GRAMMY® Hall of Fame. Born October 2, 1945, in New Rochelle, New York, McLean’s folk music career flourished with the mentorship of Pete Seeger, and he achieved further success with hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)” and “Castles in the Air.” He received the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has released more than 20 studio albums since his debut in 1970.

Don McLean

The Wailin’ Jennys began as a spontaneous collaboration between solo singer-songwriters at a small guitar shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba. What started as a one-time event quickly evolved into a renowned folk trio composed of founding members Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and later, Taos-based Heather Masse. Their debut album 40 Days (2004) received widespread critical acclaim and earned them a Juno Award, launching them onto the international roots music scene. Appearances on A Prairie Home Companion helped boost their profile, leading to sold-out performances across North America and beyond. With their soaring harmonies and refined musicianship, the trio captivated audiences and critics alike.

The Wailin’ Jennys

Suzanne Vega will perform a career-spanning show including favorites like “Tom’s Diner,” “Luka,” “Marlene on the Wall,” and many more, plus songs from her latest album, Flying with Angels, which was released in May 2025 to critical acclaim. She will be joined on stage by her longtime guitarist, Gerry Leonard (of David Bowie fame), and cellist Stephanie Winters.

Suzanne Vega

Famed solo acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke is known for a fingerpicking style that draws on blues, jazz, and folk music, and for syncopated, polyphonic melodies. The artist overcame a series of personal obstacles, including partial loss of hearing, to emerge as a widely recognized master of his instrument. When he picks up a steel-stringed guitar, his fingers race across the strings with uncommon speed, developing a deep, churning groove that can at times sound like several people playing at once.

An Evening with Leo Kottke

At a moment when musical streams are crossing with unprecedented frequency, it’s crucial to remember that throughout its history, New Orleans has been the point at which sounds and cultures from around the world converge, mingle, and resurface, transformed by the Crescent City’s inimitable spirit and joie de vivre.

Nowhere is that idea more vividly embodied than in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 60 years, all the while carrying it enthusiastically forward as a reminder that the history they were founded to preserve is a vibrantly living history.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Experience rhythms, cultures, and sounds from around the world. Join us on Wednesdays at Noon for a free World Music Series featuring a vibrant lineup of global and local music traditions, performed live on campus throughout the Winter 2026 quarter.

World Music Series

University of California, Santa Barbara

Join us for an extraordinary masterclass with Davóne Tines, featuring four talented UC Santa Barbara Music voice students performing works by Olivieri-Sangiacomo, Schumann, Rossini, and Labenske.

Masterclass: Davóne Tines, bass-baritone

Experience rhythms, cultures, and sounds from around the world. Join us on Wednesdays at Noon for a free World Music Series featuring a vibrant lineup of global and local music traditions, performed live on campus throughout the Winter 2026 quarter

Shrunken Heads Production Company is proud to present Footloose: The Musical, based on the iconic 1984 film about Ren McCormack, a teenager from Chicago who moves to a small town where music and dancing are banned. Through determination, rebellion, and the power of music, Ren challenges tradition and inspires a community to rediscover joy, freedom, and self-expression.

Footloose: The Musical

Join us for an extraordinary masterclass with Bruce Liu featuring talented UC Santa Barbara Piano students Chika Nobumori (piano) Alex Cao (piano), and Armon Amirazizi (piano).

Events in Santa Barbara, CA

Caesar and Cleopatra

Lobero Theatre

Emanuel Ax

CAMA

Carnivale with Venice Bar...

CAMA

Romantic Hollywood

Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra

The Artelize Podcast: 'Am...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

Emanuel Ax, piano

Lobero Theatre

Venice Baroque Orchestra

Lobero Theatre

Take it to the Limit

Lobero Theatre

Tango After Dark

Lobero Theatre

Juan Diego Flórez, tenor

Lobero Theatre

Schubert, Montgomery & Mo...

Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra

Don McLean

Lobero Theatre

The Wailin’ Jennys

Lobero Theatre

Suzanne Vega

Lobero Theatre

An Evening with Leo Kottk...

Lobero Theatre

Preservation Hall Jazz Ba...

Lobero Theatre

World Music Series

UC Santa Barbara Department of Music

Masterclass: Davóne Tines...

UC Santa Barbara Department of Music

World Music Series

UC Santa Barbara Department of Music

Footloose: The Musical

UC Santa Barbara Department of Music

Masterclass: Bruce Liu, p...

UC Santa Barbara Department of Music