The Southwest Florida Symphony is deeply saddened to announce that the orchestra’s 2019-2020 season will be Maestro Nir Kabaretti’s final year leading World-Class Music in Paradise. After an exceptionally busy summer of conducting throughout Europe and Israel and the increasing global demand for his artistic leadership, Maestro Kabaretti has decided to step down from the Southwest Florida Symphony’s podium.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” says Maestro Kabaretti. “Southwest Florida is a beautiful community. I will always treasure the time I spent here with this orchestra.”
Since Maestro Kabaretti’s arrival in 2014, the orchestra has experienced a renaissance, enjoying remarkable audience growth through his vibrant conducting style and his warm, approachable personality both on and off the podium. His performances have consistently received rave reviews and inspired countless standing ovations.
Maestro Kabaretti’s unique ability to marry contemporary works with familiar classical composition, paying particular attention to including American composers in the orchestra’s programming, has consistently won over even the most conservative classical music enthusiasts and his enlightening pre-concert lectures, always led in an informal style that invites lively Q&A sessions, have filled the seats of Barbara B. Mann Hall with nearly a thousand curious patrons at each Masterworks concert he’s led.
Southwest Florida Symphony board chairman Tom Uhler stated, “All of Southwest Florida has been fortunate to have enjoyed the musicianship, leadership and charisma of Maestro Kabaretti for six years. We’re a better community because of his contribution.”
