Set in the stunning Rosecliff Mansion, Newport Classical invites you to experience Handel’s legendary oratorio Messiah featuring Rhode Island’s distinguished vocal ensemble, Ensemble Altera, alongside the Professional Choristers of The Choir School of Newport County. This chamber version of the timeless classic, complete with the iconic Hallelujah Chorus, has become a cornerstone of Newport’s vibrant holiday celebrations. Whether you’re a seasoned classical music aficionado or experiencing Messiah for the first time, this event promises to be an unforgettable highlight of the season, celebrating the joy and spirit of the holidays with a bold reimagining of a beloved masterpiece.
After a memorable 2024 festival debut, cellist Jonathan Swensen makes his highly anticipated return to Newport. Honored with the 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant and recently awarded joint First Prize at the 2024 Naumburg International Cello Competition, Swensen has won international acclaim.
Acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine, described by The New York Times as “striking and charismatic” with “bravura technique and soulful musicianship,” has garnered international praise for performances that combine her distinctive sound with a deep connection to musical history. Celebrated...
Celebrated by the New York Times as an “outstanding ensemble… cohesive yet full of temperament,” the Verona Quartet has captivated audiences worldwide with their “sensational, powerhouse performance[s]” (Classical Voice America).
Baritone Benjamin Appl, whose voice “belongs to the last of the old great masters of song” with “an almost infinite range of colours” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), is celebrated by audiences and critics alike as “the most promising of today’s up-and-coming song recitalists” (Financial Times).
Comprised of a colorful array of Baroque instruments, including viola, lute, recorder, and voice, Ars Poetica is an ensemble of acclaimed musicians who share a passion for bringing historical music to the stage. In an evening where music and poetry are delicately woven into an intimate dialogue, the quartet will present a program of Italian and Spanish works, bringing their signature sound to masterworks from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
Praised for his “dark-hued and razor-sharp technique” (The New York Times), violinist Yevgeny Kutik makes a highly anticipated Newport Classical debut. A recipient of the Salon de Virtuosi Grant and the Tanglewood Music Center’s Jules Reiner Violin Prize, Kutik has moved audiences with performances that marry emotional depth and technical brilliance. For this recital, Kutik collaborates with Newport Classical favorite, pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, returning after a sold-out recital in 2024.
Get ready for a high-energy, genre-blending afternoon with PROJECT Trio! Known for their electrifying stage presence, the trio fuses classical, jazz, hip-hop, and world music for audiences of all ages. This free concert features a program ranging from Mozart and Bach to Bernstein and Beatles classics, alongside original works by PROJECT Trio themselves.
Pianist James Zijian Wei makes his highly anticipated Newport debut following a sweeping first-prize win at the 2024 Cleveland International Piano Competition. A standout among China’s rising generation of pianists, Wei has earned international acclaim on major stages and has been recognized with top prizes at the Lang Lang Cup, the China Grand Canal Festival, and the Beijing International Chopin Competition.
Experience a free, family-friendly outdoor concert with the award-winning Toomai String Quintet at Newport Craft! Celebrated for their inventive arrangements and passion for Latin American repertoire, Toomai highlights creative approaches to music through the lens of Cuban and Brazilian traditions. A group of world-class musicians and passionate educators, Toomai combines these elements to create highly interactive programs for audiences of all ages.
