David Itkin, the new conductor and music director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, made an impressive official debut Saturday. Before an almost full house, he demonstrated a vibrant, involved style while offering a program of bright, relatively familiar classics from the mid- and late-19th century.

Most classical conductors might offer the audience a smile or nod. Itkin provided those, plus brief but newsy explanations of each of the pieces prior to their performance. (In keeping with this, he's also taken over the pre-concert discussions from associate conductor Richard McGee.)

Though slight, Itkin fills the conductor's podium with grace and enthusiasm, coaxing and guiding with his baton, his left hand and often his entire upper body. Still, his gestures are somewhat restrained and always precise. He seems intense, but not given to theatrics, pacing himself and the musicians while drawing the orchestra into one of its best recent concerts.

The evening opened with a buoyant "Roman Carnival" by Hector Berlioz. It was a good selection for the orchestra to open the season: short yet involving all the orchestra's sections. And what's not to like about a piece that calls for two tambourines?