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Experience three centuries of chamber music on Maine’s southern coast: Randall Hodgkinson leads an eight-piece ensemble in a premiere Rossini transcription, Mozart’s lyrical concerto arrangement, and Brahms’ Sextet. Reserve early—seating is limited and tickets are final sale.
Experience three centuries of chamber music on Maine’s southern coast: Randall Hodgkinson leads an eight-piece ensemble in a premiere Rossini transcription, Mozart’s lyrical concerto arrangement, and Brahms’ Sextet. Reserve early—seating is limited and tickets are final sale.
Book with Ogunquit Performing Arts
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Operated by Ogunquit Performing Arts · Ogunquit, Maine
On a June evening in Ogunquit, Maine, the 30th Annual Chamber Music Festival brings a coastal town’s long-held love of classical music to a single, luminous program. Presented by Ogunquit Performing Arts (OPA) at intimate community venues with free parking at the Barn Gallery, the festival marks three decades of curated chamber music on the southern Maine coast. The program for this milestone performance pairs a newly transcribed Rossini overture with a chamber version of Mozart’s A concerto and Brahms’ rich String Sextet in B-flat—an uncommon lineup that rewards close listening.
This year pianist and leader Randall Hodgkinson convenes an eight-piece ensemble—piano, seven strings—to premiere his transcription of Rossini’s overture to Semiramide, arranged specifically for piano and string ensemble. That opening burst of period drama, now condensed to chamber scale, gives way to an intimate chamber arrangement of Mozart’s Concerto in A, K.488, and closes with the widescreen warmth of Brahms’ Sextet, Op.18. The players—Omar Chen Guey and Alice Hallstrom on violins; Mark Berger and Peter Sulski on violas; Nicholas Johnson and David Russell on cellos; and Nathan Varga on bass—create an orchestral depth few chamber groups can match.
Arriving in Ogunquit, visitors encounter cliffs and rock shelves sculpted by the Atlantic, salt-tolerant pitch pines, and the town’s signature pedestrian path, the Marginal Way—ideal for a pre-concert walk that primes the ear and clears the head. The Barn Gallery’s parking and the post-concert wine reception provide low-key chances to meet artists and linger after the final chord.
What makes this festival special is the combination of repertoire and place: transcription and reimagining of large-scale works for a small, agile ensemble tuned to the acoustics of local venues. The partnership between OPA and Boston Chamber Music has grown into a regional highlight, a cultural bridge that brings metropolitan-level artistry to a seaside community stage.
Practical notes: tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door and final sale; seating is limited, so reserve early. Expect an evening of concentrated dynamics and close-up virtuosity—this isn’t background music; it asks for attentive listening. Plan to arrive early, enjoy the shore scenery, and stay for the reception to hear artists speak about the new transcription and the challenges of adapting orchestral color to strings and piano. For listeners who want a music-rich Maine evening, this concert is an accessibly intimate encounter with three centuries of classical craftsmanship.
All sales are final and tickets are non-refundable; if you cannot attend consider donating your ticket to a local charity. Check OPA’s website or contact the organizers for accessibility accommodations and specific venue directions; volunteers and staff typically provide guidance on arrival and seating so your evening proceeds smoothly. Bring a printed or mobile ticket and ID.
easy.
2 hours.
No fitness required; attendees should be able to sit quietly for the duration of a 2-hour concert with a short intermission.
All sales are final and tickets are non-refundable; consider donating your ticket to a local charity if you cannot attend.
Yes—free parking is available at the Barn Gallery, with overflow parking communicated by event staff as needed.
Performances take place in intimate indoor community venues suited to chamber music; check event details for the exact room.
There is no minimum age listed; however the program is concentrated and best appreciated by listeners who can sit quietly for the duration.
Flash and disruptive photography are discouraged during the performance; ask staff about photography rules for the reception.
Accessibility details are not listed; contact Ogunquit Performing Arts directly to request specific accommodations before your visit.
OPA’s Chamber Music Festival has featured a partnership with Boston Chamber Music in recent years and celebrates 30 years of performances in the Ogunquit community.
Respect fragile coastal vegetation and tidepool life: stick to paths, pack out trash, and keep noise low in natural areas near venues.
Ogunquit Performing Arts produces and presents live music and performing arts events in Ogunquit. The organization programs concerts, recitals, and seasonal festivals that bring touring artists and ensembles to local audiences. Upcoming presentations listed include Zahili Zamora Afro-Cuban Jazz Trio and the 18th Annual Elizabeth Dunaway Burnham Piano Festival featuring Jonathan Bass. Zahili Zamora's Afro-Cuban Jazz Trio appears in Ogunquit for the first time. Zahili Zamora has headlined venues such as Scullers Jazz Club and the Monterey Jazz Festival, and this performance emphasizes Afro-Cuban jazz rhythms, improvisation, and ensemble interplay. The 18th Annual Elizabeth Dunaway Burnham Piano Festival presents pianist Jonathan Bass in his Ogunquit debut. Jonathan Bass is described in promotional material for technical brilliance and emotional depth; his recital is part of the festival's eighteenth edition and showcases solo piano repertoire and lyrical interpretation. Ogunquit Performing Arts publishes event details and artist summaries to help audiences plan attendance. Programming notes include festival edition information, artist biographies, and performance descriptions. The organization highlights first-time appearances by touring artists and curates evenings that span jazz and classical piano genres. Information provided for each event focuses on the artist, the musical program, and the nature of the performance so patrons can assess fit and interest. By listing verified artist credits, festival edition numbers, and clear trip summaries, Ogunquit Performing Arts enables informed decisions for concertgoers and supports transparency in programming. The organization also provides practical ticketing information, seating details, and contact channels for advance inquiries and accessibility and performance program notes.
Book with Ogunquit Performing Arts