Napa fest lines up international stars
Global opera heavyweights and prodigies — and pop star Seal
Since its founding in 2006 (under the name Festival del Sole), the Festival Napa Valley has provided an annual celebration of music, wine and food, as well as the inimitable scenery of Napa Valley. Events are spread out across the wineries and concert halls of the region, with musical events of various kinds keeping company with meals and tastings. Topticket items are pricey, but there is a smattering of free events as well.
Opera Under the Stars: The festival’s starriest event brings together three international celebrities of the operatic world — soprano Joyce ElKhoury, tenor Francesco Demuro and baritone (and new father) Lucas Meachem — to sing a program of operatic favorites. Conductor Christian Reif accompanies, leading the
Festival Napa Valley Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra.
6:30 p.m. Friday, July 12. $1,000. Meadowood Napa Valley, 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena. 8883376272. www.festival napavalley.org
Sheku KannehMason and Isata Kan
nehMason: The gifted young British cellist Sheku KannehMason won the BBC Young Musician of the Year award in 2016, and two years later came to even greater prominence after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He performs a chamber program with his sister, pianist Isata KannehMason.
7 p.m. Friday, July 12. Free. Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa. 8883376272. www.festivalnapavalley.org
Arts for All Gala: At the heart of the festival’s scheduling is a gala concert to raise money for expanding access to the arts through education programs and scholarships for emerging musicians.
Grammywinning recording artist Seal is the headliner, accompanied by the Festival Napa Valley Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra.
5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 14. $1,000. Hall Napa Valley, 401 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena. 8883376272. www.festival napavalley.org
Grand Cru Concertos:
Three international upandcomers in the classical music world join conductor Joel Revzen and the Festival Napa Valley Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra for a program of concertos. The rotating soloists are CubanChineseAmerican cellist Sophia Bacelar, British violinist Charlie Siem and percussionist Mitya Nilov from Belarus.
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. Tickets from $49. Castello di Amorosa, 4045 St. Helena Highway, Calistoga. 8883376272. www.festivalnapavalley.org
Sunday at the Symphony:
The festival closes with one final concert by the Festival Napa Valley Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra. After providing accompaniment for a roster of vocal and instrumental soloists, the young ensemble will finally have the spotlight to itself.
3 p.m. July 21. Free. Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa. 8883376272. www.festivalnapavalley.org