Newport Classical’s next chapter is underway with the arrival of our new Executive Director Oliver Inteeworn. With 25 years of experience shaping nonprofit performing arts organizations, Oliver brings a thoughtful, expansive vision for the future of classical music. As he begins his journey in Newport, we sat down with him for a short Q&A to learn more about the music, ideas, and inspirations that guide his work.
Q: What was the first piece of music that made you fall in love with classical music?
Oliver: Growing up in Germany, I was surrounded by the great classical composers which makes it hard to point to just one piece, composer, or era. I experimented with several instruments—starting with piano, then clarinet—before finally settling on classical guitar. That’s when I truly immersed myself in classical music. I was initially drawn to Latin guitar and quickly fell in love with the music of Brazilian composer and guitarist Heitor Villa-Lobos. His work to me, represents an extraordinary fusion of worlds: the raw, colorful, rhythmic vitality of Brazilian folk and Indigenous traditions woven together with classical craft and flair.
Q: What’s a musical influence (artist or genre) that might surprise people?
Oliver: Jazz and rock! There was a time when I wasn’t sure whether to focus more on jazz or classical music. Since guitar was my instrument, I was heavily influenced by everyone from bebop legend Wes Montgomery to blues great Stevie Ray Vaughan. I’ve always felt it’s limiting to put music into boxes—it’s all connected in how it makes you feel. What might surprise people the most was that I played the electric guitar in a funk rock band.
Q: What piece do you return to when you need comfort or inspiration?
Oliver: Well, I like it quiet [chuckles]. I need moments of meditation. I’m also very selective in terms of music. I want to be able to fully experience a piece, whether I’m drawn to the poetry of the lyrics or a particular instrumental passage in the melody. It all has to be intentional—much like the concerts at Newport Classical.
Q: Is there a composer you think deserves more attention today?
Oliver: An observation I’ve had is when you go to the movies to watch a film or the theater to see a play, you go for a new experience. With music—especially classical music—it’s different because a lot of times audiences stick with what they know. That means there are hundreds of pieces of even the most well-known composers that have never been performed or played. I hope today’s audiences will be more open to exploring lesser-known pieces by composers like Beethoven or Handel, discovering the depth and surprises in their wider repertoire. Once you start doing that, the possibilities for discovering new composers and music today are endless.
Q: How do you hope audiences feel when they attend a Newport Classical concert?
Oliver: I want our audience to feel the energy, like when they are at a rock concert. There’s this exchange between the passion and grit of the artists on stage and the listeners in the hall—a shared electricity that makes every performance alive. I hope people leave feeling inspired, moved, and part of something larger than themselves, eager to return for more.
