Newport Music Festival's 50th Anniversary Season Kicks Off Fourth Of July Celebration

The Newport Music Festival's 50th season commences on July 4th at King Park with a free concert with Boston Brass. The concert will precede the annual firework display along the Newport Harbor. The concert will begin with the national anthem and includes an array of familiar tunes honoring members of the U.S. military and presents selections from composers whose experiences in this country are reflected in their music -- from Copland's "Simple Gifts" to Carmichael's "Stardust," Gershwin's "Summertime" and Bernstein's "America."

From July 4 - 22, Newport's historic mansions, vineyards and other well-known settings will host over 40 of the Newport Music Festival's concerts and events during the 19 days and nights. The golden anniversary season will feature Joshua Bell, A Far Cry, Imani Winds, Jake Heggie, Charlie Albright and Frederica von Stade, to name just a few. Tickets are now on sale for all concerts and can be purchased at www.NewportMusic.org.

Highlights of the 50th anniversary festival include:

• An evening with legendary mezzo soprano Frederica von Stade and composer and pianist Jake Heggie on July 7
  
• The highly anticipated return of A Far Cry, who will perform Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Philip Glass' Symphony No. 3 on July 8
  
• Internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel brings his popular Keyboard Conversations to Newport for a Bernstein Centennial Concert. He will play excerpts from West Side Story, the unpublished "Meditation on a Wedding," Bernstein's arrangement of Aaron Copland's "El Salón México," and a solo piano arrangement of Gershwin's ever popular "Rhapsody in Blue," July 12
  
• The Newport debut of South Korean pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, the gold medalist of the 2017 Van Cliburn Competition, on July 12
  
• Grammy-nominated Imani Winds make their Newport debut at The Breakers on July 13
  
• Young Persons' Concert featuring pianist Jeffrey Siegel on July 14
  
• Joshua Bell headlines the Newport Music Festival Gala on July 15
  
• Festival Ensemble-in-Residence Summer Strings performs Led Zeppelin to Michael Jackson to Brahms at Newport Vineyards on July 19
  
• The Newport debut of pianist, composer and improviser Charlie Albright on July 21

Staying true to the roots

Over the decades the festival has gained a loyal fan base that journeys to Newport each July from around the globe to take in the sights and sounds. For those who love the festival, they will be delighted with the return of many past performers, including legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade who performed during the festival's second season, directly before her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1970. The festival will also feature many internationally renowned resident festival artists, some of whom have been performing at the festival for decades, such as cellist Sergey Antonov, flautist Göran Marcusson, and violinist Irina Muresanu.

Historic venues like The Breakers and The Elms that have played an equally important role in making the festival a must-attend event will host dozens of concerts throughout the 2 1/2 weeks. Other venues such as The Chinese Tea House at the Marble House will continue to host the in-demand sunrise concerts, which have been expanded from one concert to three concerts this season. Belcourt Castle will also make a long-awaited return as a festival venue, including hosting a Friday the 13th themed cocktail party.

The festival will continue to present the Mark P. Malkovich III Memorial Concert, a concert that reasserts the festival's commitment to bringing emerging artists to Newport. This year the evening will feature the Newport debut of Yekwon Sunwoo, the gold medalist of the 2017 Van Cliburn Competition.

For tickets and more information, please visit www.NewportMusic.org.

About the Newport Music Festival

Since 1969 the Newport Music Festival has presented world-renowned and emerging classical music artists. In its 49 seasons, the Rhode Island festival has hosted over 2,500 concerts featuring 130 artists making their American debuts, leaving an indelible mark in classical music history.

The upcoming 50th anniversary season (July 4-22, 2018) will feature a broadening of the festival's musical landscape - celebrating the anniversaries of Rossini, Debussy and Bernstein - and will include works by living composers. The festival will continue to honor its legacy by presenting the Mark P. Malkovich III Memorial Concert, the highly regarded French Opera Night and three Sunrise Concerts at the Chinese Tea House. It will also renew its pledge to the local community and visitors to Newport by presenting free public concerts and strengthening its commitment to local artists and music programs.

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