Maestro Nir Kabaretti conducted and was the unifying force for a concert that reached beyond the poetic and embraced the moment. 

Mark M. Whitehurst 05/02/2025

Nir Kabaretti ha diretto con grande sicurezza la FORM – Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana, trovando sempre i tempi giusti, delle belle dinamiche e un controllo tra buca e palcoscenico molto meticoloso. Nelle parti più concitate il volume orchestrale è stato esplosivo, invece nel preludio al terzo atto, il tappeto di archi ha creato un'atmosfera morbida e avvolgente. La partitura è stata eseguita in maniera integrale, tagliando solo le riprese delle cabalette di tenore e baritono.

Marco Sonaglia, Operateatro 20/12/2024

The orchestra under the direction of Nir Kabaretti is undoubtedly what enchants the most in this production. Giving the orchestra a fluidity and a silky texture, on which Wagnerian motifs are more painted than printed, the conductor effortlessly and magically brings out the strong moments, he seems to wrap a pomegranate in silk, to use a Breton word on Frida Callo. The orchestra was probably the most charming thing, in the strongest sense, that is, using beauty to penetrate the deepest part of the spectator.
In the end, this evening was very enjoyable, thanks to the respect for the work and the quality of the performers.

Andreas Rey, Operawire.com,  11/22/2024

The company was more than up to the task, achieving a high level of artistry and execution, confident the maestro would have their back. The Granada Theatre was sold out for both weekend performances.(…) Attention to choreographic detail was as breathtaking as Kabaretti’s conducting.

Dan Keel, Performing Art Review 10/2023 

​Celebrated violinist Gil Shaham will perform two programs with the orchestra at the season finale in May.

“It is a huge honor for us to have him here, as he is popular worldwide,” Kabaretti said.

Noozhawk 10/16/2024

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Un successo condiviso con l’Orchestra da Camera di Mantova, esemplare per valori tecnici e versatilità sia in versione cameristica che in quella sinfonica, sensibile strumento espressivo nelle mani esperte di Nir Kabaretti, direttore israeliano affermato a livelli internazionale. Vibrante e fortemente incisiva nei contrasti timbrici, enfatizzati anche dall’acustica del Bibiena, è risultata l’interpretazione della Sinfonia n. 4 in si bem. magg. op. 60 di Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), che ha offerto una coinvolgente lettura del gusto sperimentativo della partitura, con nette contrapposizioni fra archi e fiati, giusto rilievo agli aspetti cameristici e chiara propensione a valorizzare i contrasti dinamici e la forza sonora dell’organico. Calorosissima e meritata l’approvazione del pubblico:

La Voce di Mantova 11/26/2019

Conducting entirely form memory with the exception of the Paganini Concerto - a field of landmines for soloists and conductor alike requiring a roadmap - Kabaretti opened the the program with a complicated comfort piece (...)  Audience members not aware previously of Kabaretti estensive and continuing conducting career abroad were set straight immediately as the Maestro wasted no time and spared not the rod in leading a taught, authoritative, stylish, moody, fast and furious performance. 

The Voice Magazine, 10/25/2019

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Santa Barbara Symphony Season Finale

Maestro Nir Kabaretti and his polished orchestra gave admirable readings of Tchaikovsky’s Overture-Fantasy.

Josef Woodward, Independent, 05/14/2019

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Once again, the programming of the orchestra’s season reflects the extraordinary care and powerful intellect of maestro Kabaretti.

Charles Donelan, Independent, 10/17/2018

Wild applause for the orchestra, chorus, soloists and conductor led to a delightful surprise: maestro Kabaretti made his way to the piano back in the percussion department while the lights on stage went romantic and dim and accompanied Vroman in Bernstein’s "Some Other Time." Magic!

Dan Kepl, Noozhawk, 02/28/2018

L’elemento migliore della serata è stato lo spumeggiante tessuto musicale creato dall’Orchestra del Petruzzelli diretta per l’occasione da Nir Kabaretti, molto attento a differenziare le dinamiche dei vari momenti dell’opera, dal brioso al sentimentale, dando sempre il giusto risalto alle voci.

Fernando Greco, Il Tacco d’Italia, 12/21/2017

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Maestro Kabaretti’s decision to end his program with Mussorgsky’s homage to an artist friend, “Pictures at an Exhibition,” was a wise one. Musicians can aurally paint scenes ranging from bickering children and hatching chicks to a hectic market and eerily quiet catacombs and, finally, to the grand gates of Kiev. That’s a thrilling journey when performed by a worthy orchestra and wise conductor. Sunday’s combination of Maestro Kabaretti and the IU Symphony Orchestra had what it takes, and then some.

Peter Jacobi, Heraldt.com, 4/21/2017

​Two world-class pianists, one of whom is a Santa Barbara resident, an orchestra that has reached a level of professionalism and ensemble cohesion under conductor Nir Kabaretti that confirms with each concert, its standing as one of the best in the region, and a program of works for pianos and orchestra so interesting, the evening flew by.

Dan Keel, Voice Magazine 11/25/2016

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“The concert ends with Igor Stravinsky's L 'Oiseau de feu. Here the Slovenian Orchestra gives its best. Thanks also to the careful and precise direction of Kabaretti, Slovenian Philharmonic renders the harmonious style, rhythmic energy, tonal mixes and dynamics that form the backbone of this masterpiece with rare perfection. It is an execution of great beauty. Absolutely free of gaps in spite of Stravinky’s impermeable writing. An executive masterpiece greeted with great enthusiasm by the audience. The orchestra compensated the audience with two encores including the Hungarian Dance n.5 by Johannes Brahms and, given the applause, a re-proposal of the Dance Ritual del Fuego by de Falla.”

Instart 07/27/2016

Bandé comme un arc, l’orchestre tenu par Nir Kabaretti accompagne ce sacrifice sans lâcher une once de tension et tout l’amphithéâtre est emporté par un long et irrépressible frémissement.

24 Heures 07/01/2016

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An ebullient Maestro Nir Kabaretti took the stage last weekend to lead the orchestra in a celebration of his first decade as music director of the Santa Barbara Symphony.

The Independent 3/17/2016

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The enormously talented 25-years-old Nir Kabaretti at its helm, gave us a magnificent insight into the mysterious twilight zone of the disintegrating Romanticism. Kabaretti must be hailed not only for his excellent performance and rich romantic sound he elicited from the orchestra, but also for choosing these illuminating pieces.

The Jerusalem Post, 01/05/1993