Media Releases

Festival Napa Valley Wraps Record-Setting Season and Raises $2.5 Million at Arts for All Gala

New Concert Series, World Premiere Performances and Youth Summer Camps Create Most Dynamic and Diverse Season to Date

Napa, CA (August 6, 2018) – Festival Napa Valley, recognized for transforming the world-famous wine region into a cultural destination, concluded its 13th summer season with record-setting audiences and an unprecedented presentation of 70 musically diverse concerts, events and programs including 22 admission-free concerts. The festival also raised $2.5 million at its Arts for All Gala, headlined by Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth. 

“With the introduction of three new concert series and a summer music camp, Festival Napa Valley 2018 was the most dynamic season we have presented to date,” said Richard Walker, president & CEO. “The range of music styles, venues and price options made it possible for everyone to enjoy the 10 Best Days of Summer.”

The 2018 highlights included:

  • Tenor Jonathan Tetelman dramatically stepping in at the 11th hour for a show-stopping performance with soprano Nadine Sierra opening night at Meadowood
  • Violinst Joshua Bell reuniting with composer John Corigliano for the world premiere of The Red Violin with orchestra and the full-length feature film
  • The new Festival Live! Chamber Series featuring faculty and students from the Festival Napa Valley Blackburn Music Academy, with young musicians from three continents and eight countries
  • The debut of the Grand Cru Piano Series showcasing the 2017 Gold Medal winners of the Van Cliburn, Beethoven (Vienna), and Montreal International Piano Competitions 
  • Summer Arts for All camps for 600 students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley
  • Legendary Cuban musicians Grupo Compay Segundo performing their first concert in the United States in nearly two decades at Trefethen Family Vineyards, celebrating the winery’s 50thAnniversary 
  • A Bernstein Centennial concert featuring selections from West Side Story performed by tenor Michael Fabiano and soprano Larisa Martínez
  • The 10th anniversary of the Bouchaine Young Artist series showcasing rising star cellist Sophia Bacelar, clarinetist Yoonah Kim and folk quartet Russian Renaissance
  • Performances by Arturo Sandoval, Morgan James, and the San Francisco Ballet

Festival Napa Valley 2019 will be held July 12 - 21, 2019. Multiday passes can be purchased at a 25% savings through August 15, 2018. Please visit www.festivalnapavalley.org/2019presale

AboutFestival Napa Valley offers programs that enrich the economic and cultural vitality of the region and make the arts accessible to all. The Festival presents world class performances at iconic Napa Valley venues and inspiring educational programs offered at Napa County public schools year-round. It is presented by Napa Valley Festival Association, a nonprofit organization governed by a board of prominent vintners and local leaders. More than 200 artists, wineries, resorts, theaters, restaurants, chefs and vintners participate each year. Visit festivalnapavalley.org.