Classical music is not like spinach. Sure, your mom might have insinuated that cultivating a taste for both was good for you, but the goal of Neil Birnbaum, new executive director for the Northwest Sinfonietta, is to get you to see that, unlike the somewhat slimy green stuff that left a funny feeling on your teeth, the musical dish the Sinfonietta serves up is spicy, peppy fun.

“Some of (music director and composer) Christophe’s tempos are extremely fast, like I just gave him a triple espresso.”

Additionally, says Birnbaum, “Tthere’s a great spirit amongst our musicians … they’re not content to sit and play with bored expressions.”

These spirited musicians will be performing Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 11 with Byron Schenkman on piano, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in Tacoma’s Rialto Theatre Saturday night.

Exit 133 reviewed last night's Northwest Sinfonietta concert in Seattle.

I'm reviewing tonight's performance in Tacoma for Spew. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

[Rialto Theater, Saturday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m., $12-$50, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, 253. 383.5344]