Sag Harbor Song Festival

The Church in Sag Harbor will offer the inaugural season of the Sag Harbor Song Festival from September 29 to October 2. Spanning the course of three evenings and culminating with a matinee performance, the festival promises a world class experience of music in a setting of intrinsic beauty and an intimacy of presentation.

The four concerts will consist of a mixture of operatic repertory, musical theater, songs and lieder covering a musical panorama and highlighting the talent of six rising stars, Anna Christy, Leah Hawkins, Sarah Coit, Jonathan Johnson, David Leigh and Jarrett Ott. These singers have appeared on the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Aix-en-Provence Festival, the Bayerische Opera, Staatstheater Stuttgart and in venues from the White House to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The festival program was orchestrated by two colleagues whose combined efforts in the cause of music speak for themselves. Artistic director Brad Woolbright and musical director Robert Tweten have a combined seven plus decades in the world of music. Tweten has performed extensively as both a pianist and conductor throughout the U.S. and his native Canada, and currently holds the position of head of music staff for The Santa Fe Opera and music director of Graduate Opera Studies for the New England Conservatory. He has performed with many of the industry’s most prominent singers and instrumentalists. During his tenure with The Santa Fe Opera, Tweten has been on the podium for six productions, most recently stepping in this summer to conduct three performances of “Falstaff.”

Recently retired from The Santa Fe Opera (after 43 years) as director of artistic administration, Woolbright has been involved in the presentation of over 40 American and world premieres. He has served as a judge of numerous vocal competitions, including the Richard Tucker Award and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

The Sag Harbor Song Festival was conceived for The Church by Lena Kaplan, philanthropist, entrepreneur and music lover. Her family has resided in East Hampton for more than 50 years. “We live in challenging times, and many feel a sense of unease,” Kaplan said. “For me, music is the greatest source of healing power and of spiritual renewal. When I first had the idea for this festival, I called it Glorious Voices. And now this idea is becoming a reality. I invite you all to join us for the first Sag Harbor Song Festival, a four-part concert series featuring six singers with truly glorious voices in the beautiful and intimate space of The Church.”

“We’re so grateful to Lena that after only a year and a half, The Church will inaugurate a world class music festival,” added The Church’s co-founder April Gornik.

Sheri Pasquarella, The Church’s executive director, added, “Not to mention offering a diverse repertory spanning opera, choral, classical, Broadway and even traditional Japanese song performed by these astonishing emerging voices.”

Artistic director Brad Woolbright said, “Joining my colleague Robert Tweten, music director, I am thrilled to be part of the inaugural Sag Harbor Song Festival featuring six of the finest singers working in the world of music today. With offerings spanning four centuries, we believe the festival will be an exceptional experience. Whether neophyte or aficionado, we look forward to welcoming you.”

The Sag Harbor Song Festival concerts are Thursday, September 29, at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, September 30, at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 1, at 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, October 2, at noon. For the full concert repertoire and tickets ($75 per concert or $250 for all four performances) visit thechurchsagharbor.org. The Church is at 48 Madison Street, Sag Harbor.