Arts & Entertainment

Lionel Richie, Pretty Yende Among Festival Napa Valley 2024 Lineup

Plus, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Ray Chen, Time for Three and over 100 international stars and emerging talent to perform July 6-21.

Lionel Richie at Hard Rock
Lionel Richie at Hard Rock (Alan Silfen via Festival Napa Valley)

NAPA, CA — Festival Napa Valley, which is recognized for transforming California wine country into a cultural destination, has announced the lineup for its 2024 Summer Season, July 6 – 21.

From innovative classical, jazz, contemporary, opera and dance productions paired with Napa Valley’s unparalleled food, wine and hospitality, the 2024 lineup offers something for all budgets, ranging from daily admission-free concerts to the Festival's Patron experience.

"We present dazzling talent on spectacular stages surrounded by the incomparable beauty of Napa Valley," said Festival President & CEO Richard Walker. "It’s a one-of-a-kind experience and a highlight of the year for guests and artists, both returning and new."

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Performances take place on the Festival Napa Valley Stage at Charles Krug in St. Helena, the Ecolab Theatre and Jackson Family Wines Amphitheater at CIA at Copia in Napa, Nickel & Nickel in Oakville, and at wineries, resorts, and estates throughout Napa Valley.

Concert tickets are priced from free to $35.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"We welcome locals and visitors to enjoy the best days of summer," added Robin Baggett, Chairman of the nonprofit Festival’s Board of Directors. "We are thrilled to provide exceptional programming and food and wine events that showcase the very best of Napa Valley."

Below are the highlights of Festival Napa Valley's 2024 Summer Season.

  • International superstar Lionel Richie headlines the Arts for All Gala, benefiting arts education and the Festival’s community programs, with an elegant dinner prepared by chef Elliot Bell paired with single vineyard wines provided by Nickel & Nickel Winery at their historic farmstead property
  • Maria Manetti Celebrates La Dolce Vita honoring screen legend Sophia Loren, with a screening of her iconic films and a performance featuring Loren’s grandson Vittorio Ponti on piano in his festival debut and the Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra conducted by Carlo Ponti
  • Mancini at 100 with Monica Mancini, Shelly Berg, Gregg Field and The Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra
  • Uytengsu Family Opening Night with Festival Orchestra Napa conducted by Carlo Montanaro, soprano Pretty Yende, tenor Jonathan Tetelman, and pianist Yang Bao in an Opus One Premieres performance
  • Grand Cru Classics with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and violinist Ray Chen in an Olivia Decker Power of Music concert with Festival Orchestra Napa conducted by Filippo Ciabatti
  • GRAMMY-winning string and vocal ensemble Time for Three performing Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts’ concerto, Contact.
  • High-energy contemporary dance group BODYTRAFFIC returns to Festival Napa Valley for the annual Dance Gala
  • Vocal Fantastique featuring Manetti Shrem Summer Conservatory Vocalists in favorite opera scenes and composer Gordon Getty’s Old Man Trilogy featuring Volti Chorale, with Festival Orchestra Napa conducted by Ming Luke
  • Art song recital featuring soprano Lisa Delan, pianist Kevin Korth and clarinetist David Barnett, with a world premiere by composer Jake Heggie
  • An innovative Manetti Shrem Opera production of Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio conducted by Carlo Montanaro and directed by Jean-Romain Vesperini, with soprano Brenda Rae, tenor Michele Angelini, Bass David Soar and Volti Chorale
  • Taste of Napa, Festival Napa Valley’s signature celebration of food, wine and music at The Meritage Resort and Spa
  • Young Original, bringing fresh energy to the Great American Songbook at CIA at Copia in a double bill performance with singer-songwriter Matt Costa, and at Alpha Omega
  • Daily admission-free Festival Live! concerts with participants from the Frost School of Music at Festival Napa Valley’s Blackburn Music Academy
  • Three Bouchaine Young Artist concerts featuring violinist Geneva Lewis, pianist Daniela Liebman, and harpist Alisa Sadikova
  • Two admission-free, family-friendly Novack Concerts for Kids
  • Upon a Day book release author event with composer and poet Gordon Getty
  • Kaiser Permanente Thrive Community Concerts presented on the Festival Napa Valley Stage at Charles Krug

To view the full schedule and purchase tickets or passes, visit FestivalNapaValley.org.

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