above: THE VENETIAN THEATER – A fully covered outdoor performance space holding 1,500 people.
Richard O’Leary of Greenwich is enthusiastic about Caramoor, what he describes as an enchanting estate where music and art coexist to create a venue unlike any other. “It’s very difficult to describe Caramoor,” the board member says. “It’s transporting yourself into an alternate reality in a beautiful space for an intimate musical experience.”
Caramoor has been creating this alternate reality for 80 years, and its summer schedule includes a mix of music genres: chamber, opera, symphony, American roots, jazz and the “Great American Songbook.”
A large open lawn where people can bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and picnics. Although you cannot see the performers, you can hear the concert, and it is a bargain at $20 per ticket and free for children and Caramoor members.
“Through eight decades, our programming has continued to grow and evolve,” says Karen Schuman, Caramoor’s artistic director. “We offer a spectrum of today’s most exciting artists at unique venues on our beautiful grounds.”
The season opens on Saturday, June 21, with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, led by Rafael Payare, performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and continues throughout the summer with operas by Telemann and Monteverdi; a performance by Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos and Yo-Yo Ma; piano recitals from Daniil Trifonov, Timo Andres and George Li; and Arturo O’Farrill headlining the Jazz Festival.
An outdoor, acoustic performance space that can seat 300
Although many come for just the music, Schuman suggests extending your visit to experience all that the grounds have to offer. “Come an hour early, have a picnic and walk around to enjoy the sound-art exhibition,” she says.
Sonic Innovations’ exhibition of sound art returns this year, with seven diverse sound installations scattered around Caramoor’s 80 acres. Each artist creates work that is mindful of the natural and human-made sounds and systems already present in the environment. Premiering this season is Shadow Essays by Lisa Coons, five audiovisual essays that combine a sonic element (experienced with headphones) with a physical one (collage-style musical scores in resin).
O’Leary says one challenge the music venue faces is convincing Fairfield County residents that Caramoor, although a bit of a journey, really is not that far away. “Once you make the drive, experience the beautiful road that leads to Caramoor and enjoy everything Caramoor has to offer, most are willing to return.”
Lisa Welch of Stamford, another board member, agrees. Her Caramoor introduction was a first date 30 years ago. That first date turned into many more, and when the couple became engaged, Caramoor was the only site they considered for their wedding.
“Caramoor is such a beautiful, magical experience, almost like Brigadoon, emerging from the clouds,” she says. “It is quiet and hidden, an indescribable place that is there for anyone to explore and discover.”
A partially covered outdoor venue, situated in the center of the Rosen House. Performance seating is around 500.
You can also visit the grounds for free during the summer—without a concert ticket —on most Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Or tour the Mediterranean-style Rosen House, once the summer home of Walter and Lucie Rosen, filled with examples of fine and decorative Asian and Renaissance art. The Rosens were great lovers of music and would often invite friends and neighbors over for intimate musical performances and parties. In 1946, they opened their house to the public, the beginning of what became Caramoor’s year-round music programming.
For a relaxing experience, consider the Music & Mediation in the Garden concerts held on Saturday mornings, July 5, 12 and 19. You will begin with a meditation led by Jennifer Llewelyn, followed by a performance. Or Sunday Afternoon Tea in the Spanish Courtyard, June 27, July 11, 18 and 24 and August 1 and 8. caramoor.org
is used for intimate musical performances.
Encore!
Caramoor’s 80th season hits a high note
Karen Schuman, Caramoor’s artistic director, can hardly wait for opening night on Wednesday, June 21. The list of concerts is the culmination of two years of challenging yet fruitful work by her, her staff and Caramoor’s partners, Jazz at Lincoln Center and City Winery. The schedule follows, but for more information or to purchase tickets, visit caramoor.org or call 914-232-1252.
JUNE
June 15
CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
sunday, 4 p.m.
June 21
THE ORCHESTRA OF ST. LUKE’S
saturday, 7 p.m., opening night
June 22
TERRA STRING QUARTET
sunday, 4 p.m.
June 26
SETH RUDETSKY’S BROADWAY PRIDE!
thursday, 7 p.m.
June 27
DANIIL TRIFONOV
friday, 7:30 p.m.
June 28
AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL
saturday, 12:30-7 p.m.
June 29
BOSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL, TELEMANN’S PIMPINONE & INO
sunday, 4 p.m.
JULY
July 3
ENDEA OWENS AND THE COOKOUT
thursday, 7 p.m.
July 4
WESTCHESTER SYMPHONIC WINDS, POPS, PATRIOTS AND FIREWORKS
friday, 8 p.m.
July 5
TALLĀ ROUGE
saturday, 11 a.m.
LA EXCELENCIA
saturday, 7:30 p.m.
July 6
ESCHER STRING QUARTET
sunday, 4 p.m.
July 10
CAROLINE SHAW & SŌ PERCUSSION
thursday, 7 p.m.
July 11
RANKY TANKY
friday, 7:30 p.m.
July 12
ALEX SOPP
saturday, 11 a.m.
CAPPELLA MEDITERRANEA
saturday, 7 p.m.
July 13
ORCHESTRA OF ST. LUKE’S & CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF
sunday, 4 p.m.
July 17
MUSIC FROM THE SOLE
thursday, 7 p.m.
July 18
CHANTICLEER
friday, 7:30 p.m.
July 19
GABRIEL CABEZAS
saturday, 11 a.m
GEORGE LI
saturday, 5 p.m.
HOLLY TUTTLE & GOLDEN HIGHWAY
saturday, 7:30 p.m.
July 20
THE KNIGHTS & CHRIS THILE
sunday, 4 p.m.
July 24
TIMO ANDRES
thursday, 7 p.m.
July 25
TAKACS QUARTET
friday, 7:30 p.m.
July 26
JAZZ FESTIVAL
saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
July 27
BANG ON A CAN FESTIVAL ENSEMBLE
sunday, 4 p.m.
July 30
EMANUEL AX, PIANO, LEONIDAS KAVAKOS, VIOLIN, YO-YO MA, CELLO
wednesday, 7 p.m.
AUGUST
Aug 1
THE GARIFUNA COLLECTIVE
friday, 7:30 p.m.
Aug 2
CLAIRE BOURG AND JINHEE PARK
saturday, 5 p.m.
LYLE LOVETT AND HIS LARGE BAND
saturday, 7:30 p.m.
CLAIRE BOURG
saturday, 5 p.m
Aug 3
ORCHESTRA OF ST. LUKE’S & GARRICK OHLSSON
sunday, 4 p.m.