Newburyport Chamber Music Festival

09/16/2026

https://mailchi.mp/newburyportchambermusic.org/note-from-david-a-great-review-of-summer-2026-by-keith-powers?e=bd1e7a162c

The first: soprano Lucy Shelton as headliner, which told on the festival’s repertoire — bringing in a sublime interpreter of contemporary art song to explore her expertise in multiple 20th- and 21st-century settings.

09/01/2026

Be sure to read the full article below in the "Classical Voice North America: Journal of the Music Critics Association of North America" about the 25th Anniversary NCMF Festival.

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — Even summer festivals have a tell. The Newburyport Chamber Music Festival claims two.

The first: soprano Lucy Shelton as headliner, which told on the festival’s repertoire — bringing in a sublime interpreter of contemporary art song to explore her expertise in multiple 20th- and 21st-century settings.

The second tell was more subtle. Each time artistic director David Yang tried getting his post-intermission audience back to their seats, he would say loudly, “We’re all here, right?”

The “we.” That’s the second tell. This festival is a “we” experience.

While blending sharply edged repertoire with a casually involved atmosphere, the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival — tucked away in coastal Newburyport, itself tucked into the northernmost Massachusetts corner along the Atlantic — has remained largely unchanged in its 25 years.

https://classicalvoiceamerica.org/2026/08/28/familial-feeling-blends-with-edged-repertoire-in-chamber-music-fest/

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

The NCMF 25th Anniversary Festival continued...Nachtmusik at historic St. Anna’s Chapel was sold out. The total immersion in the darkness and the sounds of the music is a truly unique experience. Lastly, Concert #3: 25 Years of NCMF featured one of America’s most celebrated string quartets, The Miró Quartet, performing with the NCMF String Quartet in an octet; they performed Shostakovich and ended with the magnificent and powerful Mendelssohn’s Octet in Eb Major. The world premiere of a new composition by Jon Deak, with text by Rhina P. Espaillat, for string quartet and soprano, “Just Stopping,” featured both remarkable music and remarkable text.

What an experience! What an amazing 25 years of incredible music!

08/25/2026

The NCMF 25th Anniversary Festival is over, and what a musical experience it was! It began with Storytelling & Music at Theater In the Open, followed by the Open Night Concert with renowned American pianist Kenny Broberg, who flew in from Madrid, where he now lives. The concert was followed by Works in Progress & Meet the Artists at the First Religious Society Unitarian Church, where audience members met the artists, who discussed their musical backgrounds, answered questions, and played works in progress. Concert #2: The Return of Jon Deak featured the quartet performing pieces by Haydn, Aaron Copland, and Shostakovich, internationally recognized soprano Lucy Shelton, and a finale of composer Jon Deak’s original, “The Jury”, by Rhina P. Espaillat for string quartet and soprano. After hearing Jon Deak talk about his composition, the audience had the privilege of hearing Rhina read her poem. What a special event!

What an experience! What an amazing quartet and vocal performance. But there was more...

08/14/2026

Nachtmusik–an audience favorite—is tonight!
Friday, August 14th, at 8 pm, St. Anna’s Chapel at St. Paul’s Church

Come to be immersed.
No lights. No programs. No analysis.
Just the music.
Let it carry you where it will.

Tickets at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=ncmf

08/12/2026

The Return of Jon Deak!
Thursday, August 13, 7pm, at the Immaculate Conception Church

It is always a good day when Jon Deak shows up on your doorstep! This concert marks his triumphant return to our festival and the first appearance of his friend and collaborator, legendary Metropolitan Opera soprano Lucy Shelton.

Get tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=ncmf

PROGRAM
Cathy Berberian, Stripsody �
Joseph Haydn, String Quartet in B Minor, 33/1
�Aaron Copland (arr. John Largess), Old American Songs �
Morton Feldman, Only
�Dmitri Shostakovich, String Quartet No. 1 in C Major Opus 49
�Jon Deak, with text by Rhina P. Espaillat, “The Jury” for string quartet and soprano

08/11/2026

Salon, Wednesday 8/12 at 7pm
Join an intimate evening of chamber music and conversation with the festival artists, including Artistic Director David Yang, composer Jon Deak, and soprano Lucy Shelton!

Tickets sales will support future NCMF festivals. Get yours at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=ncmf

08/10/2026

Open rehearsal #2
Join the musicians as they are working through their music… testing ideas, making adjustments, and shaping it for performance! Stop by for a few minutes or stay for the full rehearsal. Free, and no ticket required.
Tuesday 8/11 at 3pm at Jabberwocky Bookshop.