Media Releases
Headline artists include superstar violinist Joshua Bell, 10-time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval, opera sensation Michael Fabiano, the San Francisco Ballet, and a rare appearance by Grupo Compay Segundo from Havana
Napa, CA (February 20, 2018) – Festival Napa Valley announces the lineup for the 2018 summer season, featuring a host of world premieres, debuts and exclusive engagements set in iconic Napa Valley settings. The 2018 season, July 20-29, is dedicated to the first responders who saved lives, homes and properties in the recent Wine Country wildfires.
“With the introduction of three new concert series and a summer music camp, Festival Napa Valley 2018 is the most dynamic season we have presented to date,” said Richard Walker, President & CEO. “The range of music styles, venues and price options makes it possible for everyone to enjoy Festival Napa Valley.”
July 18 and 19 – Festival Live! Chamber Series debuts with twelve free concerts in locations throughout Napa Valley
July 20 – Soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Bryan Hymel kick things off with a dazzling Opening Night celebration at Meadowood with the festival’s Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra under Joel Revzen
July 21 – Grupo Compay Segundo, founded by members of the Buena Vista Social Club, celebrates Trefethen Family Vineyards’ 50th anniversary
July 22 – A special Sunday at the Symphony concert honoring first responders features the Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra conducted by Martin West and soprano Lisa Delan
July 23 and 24 – The highly anticipated Grand Cru Piano Series debuts with the 2017 Gold Medal winners of the Van Cliburn, Beethoven (Vienna), and Montreal International Piano Competitions
July 24, 26 and 28 – The Bouchaine Young Artist Series presents three admission-free concerts featuring classical stars of tomorrow
July 25 – 10-time Grammy winner and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, headlines Jazz @ the Castello
July 26 – World Premieres! Joshua Bell performs John Corigliano’s complete Academy Award-winning score to The Red Violin with the remastered film, live with symphony orchestra conducted by Michael Stern
July 27 – Festival Premieres series debuts with a new arrangement of John Corigliano’s Pied Piper Fantasy, with Maxim Rubtsov as soloist and members of the Russian National Orchestra and the San Francisco Ballet returns to Napa for the popular Dede Wilsey Dance Gala
July 28 – The festival celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with music from West Side Story and other Bernstein works, featuring tenor Michael Fabiano, soprano Larisa Martínez, and Festival Orchestra NAPA under Lawrence Foster
July 29 - The season closes with a private concert by singer-songwriter Morgan James at Alpha Omega, and a grand finale performance by the Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra conducted by Ming Luke at Napa Valley College
Culinary, wine, and education events to be announced.
Festival Napa Valley makes the arts accessible to all. Each year, over 6,000 tickets are distributed free to seniors, veterans and families. The festival’s summer arts education programs include the tuition-free Blackburn Music Academy for 80 pre-professional musicians from around the world, free Arts for All Camps for 500 students from the Boys & Girls Club of Napa Valley, and sponsorship of Music Connection’s Summer Strings and Band camps for students.
The complete schedule of concerts, events and passes is available online at festivalnapavalley.org, or by calling the box office, 888.337.6272. Single concert tickets from $39. Patron Experiences from $850 (includes a tax deductible donation).
About: Festival Napa Valley is committed to enriching the vitality of the community and making the arts accessible to all. Blending the beauty and bounty of Napa Valley with the very finest performing arts, the festival pairs world-class performances with culinary and wine pursuits staged in iconic wine country settings. Through its year-round programming, the organization has transformed Napa Valley into a cultural destination. It is presented by Napa Valley Festival Association, a nonprofit public benefit corporation governed by a board of prominent vintners and local leaders. More than 200 artists, wineries, resorts, theaters, restaurants and vintners participate each year. Festival Napa Valley’s 2018 summer season takes place July 20–29. To learn more, visit festivalnapavalley.org.