25th Anniversary Summer Festival

The Newburyport Chamber Music Festival (NCMF) proudly announces its 2026 Summer Festival, marking 25 years of bringing world-class classical music to the North Shore. Running from August 5 through August 15, the milestone season features a repertoire balancing canonical masterpieces by Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Shostakovich with the contemporary creative brilliance of Composer-in-Residence Jon Deak.

The milestone season features a distinguished roster of guest artists, including the Grammy Award-winning Miró String Quartet, legendary Metropolitan Opera soprano Lucy Shelton, and elite classical pianist Kenny Broberg, laureate of both the Tchaikovsky and Van Cliburn international competitions.

Festival highlights include: Opening Night concert by award-winning pianist Kenny Broberg, which headlines a classic, virtuoso recital featuring Mozart, Haydn, Shostakovich, and concludes with Liszt’s notoriously demanding Mephisto Waltz No 1,
The Return of Jon Deak & Lucy Shelton presents a theatrical night of music highlighting a cartoon-score performance of Cathy Berberian’s Stripsody, Aaron Copland folk classics, and a highly anticipated reprise of Deak’s The Jury, based on a poem by local icon Rhina P. Espaillat. The 25th Anniversary Finale concert marks the realization of a long-held directorial vision by staging Mendelssohn’s breathtaking Octet in Eb Major (the "Mocktet"), paired dynamically with Shostakovich’s Two Pieces for string octet (the "Shocktet"). The performance features a world premiere by Composer-in-Residence Jon Deak and Poet-in-Residence Rhina P. Espaillat, performed by Lucy Shelton and the Miró String Quartet.

This year features a fundraising Salon concert in a private home with an informal opportunity to meet the musicians, enjoy drinks and snacks, and hear amazing live music “up close and personal”. Tickets are limited.

In addition, there are two Hausmusiks that offer unscripted sight-reading parties in local living rooms, where the audience chooses the music and musicians perform "without a net." Nachtmusik, a concert held in complete darkness: no lights, no analysis, no applause - just music in an immersive and deeply spiritual experience. Plus, Storytelling for the family in collaboration with Theater in the Open, open rehearsals, a panel discussion with the artists, and so much more. These events sell out, so purchase your tickets now!

Tickets are on sale now at https://www.newburyportchambermusic.org. Pay-as-you-can tickets for all major concerts. Questions? Call 978-701-4914.