For its 50th anniversary season, the Manchester Music Festival will celebrate “The Romantic Journey” from July 11 – August 8, 2024. This fantastic event will explore the definition and roots of Romanticism with a musical adventure with weekly themes focused on Romantic composers ranging from Beethoven to Schubert, to Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Brahms, to Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, and more. The sounds of these iconic periods will come alive with the direction of Artistic Director Philip Setzer of the Emerson String Quartet.

The main festival concerts will take place at the Southern Vermont Arts Center’s (SVAC) Arkell Pavillion.

The festival features five distinct series: MMF Thursday Nights MMF Young Artists, MMF Special Events, MMF Discovery and MMF Family. Each night features a deeper dive into the themes of the festival with concerts, discussions and kid-friendly activities. The fourth week of the festival brings the world premiere of a new version of Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Drink the Wild Ayre for harp and ensemble.

Weeks of Festivities

Week of July 11

Enjoy classic works from Beethoven and Schubert featuring Wu Han on piano, Philip Setzer on violin and David Finckel on cello.

Week of July 18

The sounds of Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky will ring out with Jeewon Park on piano, Philip Setzer on violin, and Edward Arron on cello all of who will be joined by the MMF Young Artists: Brian Anderson on viola, Antonia Fuglsang on violin, Kevonna Shuford on viola and Dylan Kinneavy on cello.

Week of July 25

Pieces from Brahms, Robert and Clara Schumann, and Strauss will be performed by David Shifrin on clarinet, contralto Sara Couden, Jenny Lin on piano, Philip Setzer on violin, Lawrence Dutton on viola, Colin Carr on cello, and the MMF Young Artists: Andrew Cannestra on piano, Hannah Corbett on violin and Hang Zhong on piano.

Week of August 1

Delight in the sounds of Debussy, Elgar, P. Setzer and Sarah Kirkland Snider performed by Nancy Allen on harp, Philip Setzer on violin, bass, and the MMF Young Artists: Brian Anderson on viola, Andrew Cannestra on piano, Hannah Corbett on violin, Bree Fortheringham on violin, Antonia Fuglsang on violin, Dylan Kinneavy on cello, Ignacio García Núñez on cello, Maureen Sheenan on viola and Kenichi Kiyama on violin.

Week of August 8

The songs of Dvořák, Brahms, Barber, and Respighi will come alive on the stage with soprano Christine Goerke, Gilles Vonsattel on piano, Philip Setzer and Sarah Crocker Vonsattel on violin, Matthew Lipman on viola, Estelle Choi on cello, accompanies by the MMF Young Artists Chamber Ensemble: Brian Anderson on viola, Andrew Cannestra on piano, Hannah Corbett on violin, Bree Fortheringham on violin, Antonia Fuglsang on violin, Dylan Kinneavy on cello, Ignacio García Núñez on cello, Kenichi Kiyama on violin and Hang Zhong on piano.

Special Events at the Manchester Music Festival

MMF Presents The Steinway Spirio and MMF Young Artists Solos in Concert: July 27, 5:00 pm Manchester Library

The Steinway & Sons Spirit – a high-resolution self-playing piano will be accompanies by the MMF Young Artists Class of 2024.

MMF Talks “The Romantic Era”: August 3, 5:00 pm, SVAC Arkell Pavilion

Artistic Director Philip Setzer will be joined by a panel of distinguished authors to discuss the Romantic Era – what a work being “romantic” means in history bothe motionally and intellectually.

MMF Discovery

Given a Chance: Concert and Discussions: July 28, 5:00 pm, SVAC Arkell Pavilion

MMF Family Events

Edward Arron and MMF Young Artists “Strings & Things: A Musical Playdate: July 20, 1:00 pm

Live Music with storytelling and illustrations Melody’s Mostly Musical Day: July 27, 1:00 pm

The Young Artists Program

This highly selective program is a full-scholarship intensive for string players and pianists ranging from ages 18 to 26. These artists receive coaching sessions from the Manchester Music Festival guest artists and attend a variety of masterclasses throughout the festival.

These talented young artists will have a chance to shine on their own in a special program called “Given a Chance” which highlights not only these blossoming musicians but also the songs of underrepresented composers who have struggled to have their voices heard. For the first time, these young artists are interwoven into the festival’s programming like never before.

Take Amtrak to the Manchester Music Festival

Experience a number of breathtaking performances at the Manchester Music Fetival via Amtrak with connecting bus service to Manchester in as little as 4 hours and 20 minutes from Manhattan. Take Amtrak to Albany-Rensselaer station and then pick up the Amtrak Thruway Bus Service right at the station to Manchester (MCV).