Though the official classical music season ends in the summer, that doesn't mean you won't be able to attend a classical music concert. There are plenty of summer classical music concerts to attend this year. From Napa Valley's opulent Festival del Sole to the Cleveland Orchestra's three-month-long classical music extravaganza, there's loads of great music, memories, and fun to be had!
1. Ravinia Festival - Chicago
Ravinia Festival
Ravinia's three month long summer festival not only features superb classical music with performances by Yo Yo Ma, Jessye Norman, as well as the Juilliard String Quartet, but also jazz, country, rock, and more. Taking place in Chicago, there will be plenty of things for you to do and see during the day before going out to your evening concert.
2. Blossom Music Festival - Cleveland
Blossom Festival
Located just 25 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio, within the beautiful 33,000 acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Blossom Music Center becomes the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra. The ten week long festival features a variety of music including "best of" programs by the Cleveland Orchestra (works like Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Mozart's "Jupiter" Symphony, etc...), as well as ballet, jazz, rock, and country music.
3. Festival del Sole - Napa Valley
Napa Valley Festival del Sole
Those of you planning your vacation or just a weekend get-away, consider taking a trip to California's beautiful wine country. This year, the week-long summer festival beginning July 17 will feature a recital performance by Renee Fleming among other performances by celebrated artists. Apart from great music, guests can attend special wine and cheese tastings, winery tours, art exhibitions, five-star dinners, and lectures. Most, if not all of the events, take place in spectacular venues with gorgeous views of the vineyards, valleys, and sunsets.
4. New York Philharmonic's Summertime Classics - New York City
New York Philharmonic
Beginning June 30, New York Philharmonic's ten day concert series in New York City will feature four different programs conducted by Tovey Bramwell. This year's featured artists include Vladimir Feltsman (piano), Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano), Simone Dinnerstein (piano), and Denyce Graves (mezzo-soprano).
5. Aspen Music Festival - Aspen
Aspen Music Festival
For two months in stunning Aspen, Colorado, the Aspen Music Festival will present a large variety of classical music concerts and other special events, all within walking distance of downtown Aspen. Though many of the concerts require tickets that roughly range in price from $10 to $80, there are plenty of free events to see including the 4th of July concert which features works by Sousa, Copland, Bernstein, Gould, Brault, Osser and more!
