The 2024 Newport Classical Music Festival

Newport, where the timeless elegance of Gilded Age mansions meets the lush greenery of sprawling lawns, a symphony of anticipation fills the air. Against this backdrop of historical grandeur, the Newport Classical Music Festival of 2024 emerges. Picture the opulence of The Breakers, its grand ballroom adorned with glittering chandeliers and intricate frescoes, as the first notes of classical masterpieces fill the air.

Here, within these hallowed walls, the legacy of Newport Classical comes alive, weaving a tapestry of sound that transcends time and space.

The 2024 Newport Classical Music Festival returns in its 55th year of unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of classical music. Against the backdrop of Newport’s stunning historic mansions and venues, world-renowned and emerging talents alike come together to celebrate musical excellence in a series of captivating performances.

More than just concerts, the festival is a celebration of community and culture. From free Fourth of July concerts at King Park to engaging events at local breweries and parks, Newport Classical extends its reach beyond the concert hall, bringing the joy of live classical music directly into the neighborhoods of Aquidneck Island.

The stage is set for a summer of unparalleled musical brilliance against the backdrop of Newport’s historic mansions and venues. With a lineup featuring 27 concerts over 18 days from July 4th to July 21st, patrons are in for a treat as they immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of classical music.

The 2024 Newport Classical Music Festival kicks off on Thursday, July 4 at 7:30pm with a free, outdoor Fourth of July Patriotic Pops concert preceding the fireworks at King Park featuring Fenway Quintet, one of Boston’s most esteemed professional brass quintets, in a joyous program complete with percussion, celebrating America’s birthday. This concert is part of the 2024 BankNewport Community Concerts Series, with additional support from a Rhode Island Foundation Community Grant.

As the vibrant notes of the Newport Classical Music Festival reverberate through the historic mansions and scenic venues of Newport, Rhode Island, an unparalleled musical journey awaits. With 27 concerts spread across 18 days from July 4th to July 21st, 2024, this festival celebrates not just the timeless beauty of classical music but also the spirit of innovation and diversity within the genre.

Join us in celebrating the 55th anniversary of this esteemed festival, where classical music meets artistic expression in the most enchanting of settings. Let the melodies transport you, the performances inspire you, and the community embrace you as we come together to revel in the magic of music. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary event. Get your tickets now and immerse yourself in the beauty of Newport’s classical music scene.

For more information: www.newportclassical.org/music-festival


Newport Classical Music Festival’s Opening Night concert on Friday, July 5 at 8pm at The Breakers features Sphinx Virtuosi, one of the nation’s most dynamic professional chamber orchestras, comprised of 18 of the nation’s top Black and Latinx classical soloists. Set against the opulent backdrop of The Breakers, the self-conducted chamber orchestra will deliver a pioneering program spotlighting historically marginalized composers including Quenton Blache, Javier Farias, Andrea Casarrubios, Adolphus Hailstork, and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson. With cellist Thomas Mesa joining their ranks as soloist for GRAMMY®-winning composer Jessie Montgomery’s Divided, the brilliance and passion of this self-conducted ensemble promises to deliver an unforgettable performance.

On Saturday, July 6 at 8pm, GRAMMY®-nominated pianist Joyce Yang, who captivates audiences with her virtuosity and interpretive sensitivity, brings her tactile, expressive playing to The Breakers. Acclaimed by The New York Times for her “vivid and beautiful playing,” Yang promises a passionate evening featuring music by the legendary Russian composers of the Romantic and Classical eras including Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and Mussorgsky.

On Sunday, July 7 at 9am, surrounded by the serene beauty of the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Newport Classical’s Festival Artists will present Italian Strings in Nature, a delightful program of Italian chamber music, including an arrangement of Rossini’s beloved William Tell Overture along with works by Boccherini, Cherubini, and Puccini.

In the evening on July 7, at 8pm at The Breakers, the GRAMMY® Award-winning male-voiced “orchestra of voices” Chanticleer makes their much-anticipated return to Newport after a sold-out concert during the 2021 Festival. Titled Music of a silent world, Chanticleer’s program features songs of the natural world and gives a voice to the rocks, stones, trees, and rivers that share the planet with us. Their performance will include music by Stephen Sondheim, Heinrich Isaac, and Joni Mitchell, and a new commission from Chanticleer’s composer-in-residence, Ayanna Woods. 

On Tuesday, July 9, the day begins with an 11am concert at The Elms featuring the Festival Artists in an extraordinary program of Piano Trios. Delve into the rich tapestry of classical repertoire, beginning with Beethoven’s lively and nimble Piano Trio in B-flat Major, journeying through Elfrida Andrée’s evocative and dramatic Piano Trio in G minor, and culminating in the sublime beauty of Schumann’s revered Piano Trio No. 1.

On Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10 at 8pm at The Breakers, Newport Classical welcomes Broadway’s legendary Laura Benanti, celebrated for her Tony Award-winning performances and captivating presence on stage and screen, including her memorable role in HBO’s The Gilded Age. Known for her iconic portrayals in Gypsy, Into the Woods, Nine, and My Fair Lady, Benanti will dazzle audiences with her unparalleled talent, extraordinary voice, and undeniable star power in these intimate, not-to-be-missed performances with pianist Billy Stritch, music director for stars including Tony Bennett and Liza Minnelli.

Two of last year’s Festival Artists, violist Edwin Kaplan and cellist Titilayo Ayangade, return to Newport as the innovative Duo Kayo for a performance on Wednesday, July 10 at 4pm at Newport Art Museum. Making bold statements in the classical music world, Duo Kayo challenges traditional thinking about the genre, serving as a vessel for new and exciting music. Surrounded by the Museum’s beautiful art collection, audiences can enjoy an interdisciplinary afternoon featuring a diverse program, from Vivaldi’s Double Cello Concerto, to Leonard Bernstein’s “Cool” from West Side Story, to the world premiere of a new piece by Newport Classical’s 2023 Composer-in-Residence Curtis Stewart. 2024 Festival Artists Jordan Bak and Jonathan Swenson join Kaplan and Ayangade for the final work by Paul Wiancko, Vox Petra.

On Thursday, July 11 at 11am, the Festival Artists present French Musings at The Elms. Inspired by the 18th-century French chateau d’Asnieres outside Paris, The Elms is the perfect place for a morning concert of delightful French repertoire ranging from Baroque elegance to neoclassical charm, including works by Marais, Leclair, Tailleferre, and Saint-Saëns.

That evening, Thursday, July 11 at 8pm, Opera Night brings director Peter Brook’s captivating reimagining of Bizet’s timeless masterpiece Carmen to the festival, delving deep into the intricate relationships of the four lead characters. This semi-staged production of La tragédie de Carmen is directed by Tara Branham, and features the same beloved arias and musical moments, infused with renewed vitality and intensity, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of The Breakers. The cast includes Dane Suarez as Don José, Stephanie Sanchez as Carmen, Maria Brea as Micaëla, and Jeffrey Hoos as Escamillo, with music direction by Charles Kim.

Friday, July 12 begins with a 5:15am Sunrise Meditations concert at the Chinese Tea House. Witness the dawn of a new day with the Newport Classical Festival Artists as they enchant audiences with a program of meditative musical selections, immersing listeners in a journey curated to instill a sense of positivity and buoyancy, featuring music by Telemann, Glière, Sibelius, Haydn, and Elgar.

That evening, Friday, July 12 at 8pm at The Breakers, the GRAMMY®-nominated chamber orchestra A Far Cry returns to Newport, joined by Canadian pianist Dinuk Wijeratne and acclaimed Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, for an unforgettable evening of musical storytelling and global connection. This deeply personal and reflective program explores themes of emigration, travel, and home, featuring original compositions by Wijeratne and Azmeh in the first half. Following intermission, revel in the enchanting melodies of a young Janáček as he draws inspiration from Czech folk traditions, a lush showcase for the ensemble.

Hailed as the epitome of brass excellence, Canadian Brass treats Newport to an extensive program of compositions ranging from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 to the heartfelt melodies of the classic folk song “Danny Boy” on Saturday, July 13 at 8pm. Renowned for their captivating concert presentations that seamlessly blend virtuosity with charm, Canadian Brass promises to ignite The Breakers with their genre-transcending talents.

On Sunday, July 14 at 3pm, the Poulenc Trio with virtuoso accordionist Hanzhi Wang will present a spellbinding performance highlighting the accordion’s versatility and charm at the historic Redwood Library & Athenæum. Their program spans genres and eras and includes music by Vivaldi, Poulenc, Rossini, plus emerging star composers Juri Seo and Viet Cuong, creating an engaging musical dialogue.

That evening, Sunday, July 14 at 8pm, Newport Classical presents An Evening with Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. The GRAMMY®-nominated trailblazing violinist, joined by the virtuosic pianist Max Levinson, graces the illustrious halls of The Breakers in her Newport debut with an exquisite program that includes a new piece specifically commissioned for her by the legendary Philip Glass. Meyers’ concert also includes music by Corelli, Beethoven, Márquez, and Morten Lauridsen.

Newport Classical presents Classical Music Movie performed by the Festival Artists on Tuesday, July 16 at 11am at Blithewold Mansion, bringing together the magic of film with the beauty of chamber music. Experience John Williams’ haunting Schindler’s List and the nostalgic charm of E.T. alongside the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones and the fantasy of Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King, Lord of the Rings, and more. Enjoy a boxed lunch on the grounds following the performance by pre-ordering from Blithewold in advance.

That evening, Tuesday, July 16 at 7:30pm, Two Pianos are Better than One unites the dynamic talents of Drew Petersen and Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner at the picturesque Castle Hill Inn, for a thoughtfully curated program of works for two pianos that includes music by Mozart, Wagner, Beach, Rachmaninoff, and Chaminade.

On Wednesday, July 17 at 11am, the Lincoln Trio performs a morning concert at The Elms that marks their 20th anniversary as an ensemble. Revered for their pioneering spirit and innovative contemporary repertoire, the Trio will perform the iconic Brahms C Major Piano Trio which catapulted them to acclaim alongside a curated selection of works by trailblazing female composers, including the visionary Stacy Garrop, whose groundbreaking composition left a lasting impression as the inaugural Composer-in-Residence for Newport Classical in 2021.

That evening, Wednesday July 17 at 8pm at The Breakers, Newport Classical presents the Isidore String Quartet. This red-hot young quartet was founded in 2019 at the Juilliard School and launched their career by winning one of the most prestigious awards in chamber music at the 2022 Banff Competition. Their artistry and potential were further recognized when they were awarded a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant. Hailed for their “blazing virtuosity” by Violinist.com, the Isidore Quartet aims to revisit, rediscover, and reinvigorate the string quartet repertoire. They perform music by Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Billy Childs at The Breakers.

At The Breakers on Thursday, July 18 at 8pm, Spanish pianist and beloved past Festival Artist Daniel del Pino, accompanied by the talented violist Marian Herrero and the 2024 Festival Artists, unveils a treasure trove of rarely performed masterpieces by Spanish composers. Experience the richness and diversity of Spanish musical heritage in pieces by J.S. Bach, Bowen, De Falla, Del Campo, culminating with Joaquín Turina’s celebratory masterpiece, Escena Andaluza for viola, piano, and string quartet.

Friday, July 19 begins with a 5:15am concert at Chinese Tea House, Melodic Introspections at Sunrise, performed by the Festival Artists. Experience the stunning sunrise over Newport’s iconic Cliff Walk during this inspiring and introspective concert which features works by Lei Liang, Dobrinka Tabakova, Wei-Chieh Lin, Florence Price, and Beethoven.

The Handel and Haydn Society, established in 1815 and acclaimed for its performances of Baroque and Classical music for 209 seasons, performs at The Breakers on Friday, July 19 at 8pm. The ensemble brings classical music to life with the same immediacy it had the day it was composed. Their joyful programming features acclaimed soloists soprano Joélle Harvey, violinist Aisslinn Nosky, and oboist Debra Nagy in a series of concerti and works for chamber orchestra from the Baroque period by Corelli, Handel, and J.S. Bach.

On Saturday, July 20, at 3pm, Festival Artist Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner performs an invigorating afternoon piano recital at historic Emmanuel Church, known for its breathtaking English Gothic Revival architecture that enhances the acoustic ambiance. “A gifted virtuoso” (San Francisco Chronicle), Sánchez-Werner quickly became a beloved pillar of the Newport Classical Music Festival last summer, bringing technical prowess and passion to every electrifying chamber performance. In this solo appearance, he performs music by Chopin, Beethoven, Rubio, Velázquez, and Rachaminoff.

That evening, on Saturday, July 20 at 8pm at The Breakers, PUBLIQuartet and special guest mezzo-soprano Renée Rapier perform the world premiere of a new work commissioned by Newport Classical from 2024 Composer-in-Residence Clarice Assad. A bold composer, a brilliant pianist, and an inventive vocalist, Assad’s haunting composition is her newest chapter in Chronicles of Ghosts. Whispers from the Pirate Queen explores the timeless bond between two remarkable women: Grace O’Malley, the legendary 16th-century Irish pirate queen, and Anne Hutchinson, the influential Puritan spiritual leader and pioneer of the 17th century. PUBLIQuartet pairs the new piece with What is American, a captivating reimagination of Dvořák’s American Quartet, blending classical melodies with blues, jazz, and rock influences, as well as music by Vijay Iyer, Duke Ellington, and Julia Perry. At 11am that morning, Assad will give a free Composer Talk at Emmanuel Church Library, discussing her new work.

On Sunday, July 21 at 11am, Sō Percussion with vocalist and composer Caroline Shaw perform at The Colony House. Enjoy the vibrant collaboration of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw and the innovative Sō Percussion in an electrifying program blending voice and percussion quartet as they share the music from their newest album, Rectangles and Circumstance. Co-written by Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion, the genre-blending songs use verses from nineteenth-century poems by Christina Rosetti, Emily Brontë, Emily Dickinson, Gertrude Stein, and William Blake. Chamber music meets singer-songwriter storytelling in this extraordinary performance showcasing vital, expressive, and imaginative music-making.

That afternoon, Sunday, July 21 at 2pm, pianist Lara Downes, hailed as “a musical ray of hope” by NBC News, gives a free family concert at Temple Shalom, before performing at The Breakers that evening at 8pm in the Newport Classical Music Festival Closing Night concert. The American pianist and cultural visionary returns to Newport after a sold-out performance on the 2021 Festival to present THIS LAND, a concert that captures 100 years of American transformation, celebrating the spirit of innovation and imagination, resilience and resistance, and reflecting a wide diversity of voices to illustrate the beauty that grows at the crossroads of our American journeys. THIS LAND features music by Scott Joplin, Arturo O’Farrill, Florence Price, Kian Ravaei, William Grant Still, Angelica Negrón, Jake Heggie, Margaret Bonds, George Gershwin, and more.

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