Musical Salon Series: Romanticism & Musical Poetry

Musical Salon Series: Romanticism & Musical Poetry

We are excited to partner with Puddingstone Festival on an evening of music at Rough Point! Our founder Doris Duke was a supporter of the arts, as well as a musician, a dancer, and an art collector. We are delighted to host this evening celebrating the performing arts in her home.

On January 27, three piano trios spanning the breadth of the Romantic era will perform at Rough Point: Beethoven’s “Ghost” Trio (Op. 70 No. 1), renowned for its haunting Largo movement that evokes a spectral mystery—a nickname coined in the 19th century to capture its otherworldly atmosphere; Cécile Chaminade’s Piano Trio No. 2 (Op. 34), a lyrical gem from a pioneering woman composer of the late 19th century; and Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 1 (Op. 8), a single-movement “Poème” composed at age 19, unfolding with poignant poetic introspection.

We are honored to present the internationally celebrated Sitkovetsky Trio who will be performing these exquisite works for us. Known as one of today’s foremost piano trios, their thoughtful and committed interpretations have earned them critical acclaim and invitations to prestigious venues worldwide, including the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Frankfurt Alte Oper, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre, L’Auditori Barcelona, Wigmore Hall, and Lincoln Center in New York.

From Beethoven’s early Romantic heroism, through Chaminade’s elegant middle-period lyricism, to Shostakovich’s late-Romantic modernism, these works trace the rich evolution of musical Romanticism and the art of musical poetry across generations.

Actor Nora Eschenbacher will enrich the evening by reading period letters related to the music, weaving an evocative literary thread through the performance. Nora appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.

Doors open at 6:00 PM. The show begins at 6:30 PM.

Small bites and drinks are included. Purchase your tickets here.

 

About Puddingstone Festival:

Puddingstone Festival are a group of passionate music lovers and artistic entrepreneurs, united by a shared love for the arts. Their team brings together a rich diversity of perspectives, with board members hailing from various professions and backgrounds. Some are local to the area (yes, real island natives), others come from different parts of the country, and their founder is from Europe—each of them contributing a unique set of skills and experiences.

What unites them is the strong commitment to promoting the arts, connecting with the community, and supporting its growth and well-being. 

Musical Salon At Rough Point: Romantic Entwined

Musical Salon At Rough Point: Romantic Entwined

We are excited to partner with Puddingstone Festival on an evening of music at Rough Point! Our founder Doris Duke was a supporter of the arts, as well as a musician, a dancer, and an art collector. We are delighted to host this evening celebrating the performing arts in her home.

On November 1, enjoy a spellbinding recital with violinist Geneva Lewis—acclaimed by Musical America and BBC as a leading artist to watch—and renowned pianist Audrey Vardanega, who has graced distinguished stages worldwide, including Merkin Hall in New York. Their program will feature masterpieces by Schumann, Schubert, and Brahms. The evening will also showcase visual art, thoughtfully integrated into the concert, offering audiences an immersive experience that unites visual and musical artistry.

Doors open at 6:00 PM. The show begins at 6:30 PM.

Purchase your tickets here.

 

About Puddingstone Festival:

Puddingstone Festival are a group of passionate music lovers and artistic entrepreneurs, united by a shared love for the arts. Their team brings together a rich diversity of perspectives, with board members hailing from various professions and backgrounds. Some are local to the area (yes, real island natives), others come from different parts of the country, and their founder is from Europe—each of them contributing a unique set of skills and experiences.

What unites them is the strong commitment to promoting the arts, connecting with the community, and supporting its growth and well-being. 

Musical Salon At Rough Point: Jazz & Shakespeare II

Musical Salon At Rough Point: Jazz & Shakespeare II

We are excited to partner with Puddingstone Festival on an evening of music at Rough Point! Our founder Doris Duke was a supporter of the arts, as well as a musician and a dancer. We are delighted to host this evening celebrating the performing arts in her home.

This fall, Puddingstone introduces an exciting new mini-series, “Jazz & Shakespeare.” Each event in this series pairs dramatic readings of Shakespearean monologues and scenes with world-class jazz performances for a one-of-a-kind artistic fusion. Trombonist Nick Finzer, hailed as a “rising star in jazz” by DownBeat Magazine, brings his quartet to Newport for an electrifying concert featuring original works and jazz classics. The evening will be enriched by actors Jay Bragan and David Chrzanowski, who will perform a selection of Shakespeare monologues and scenes, woven into the musical program.

Doors open at 6:00 PM. The show begins at 6:30 PM.

Purchase your tickets here.

 

About Puddingstone Festival:

Puddingstone Festival are a group of passionate music lovers and artistic entrepreneurs, united by a shared love for the arts. Their team brings together a rich diversity of perspectives, with board members hailing from various professions and backgrounds. Some are local to the area (yes, real island natives), others come from different parts of the country, and their founder is from Europe—each of them contributing a unique set of skills and experiences.

What unites them is the strong commitment to promoting the arts, connecting with the community, and supporting its growth and well-being. 

Phoenix Rising: The Artistry of Calum Graham

Phoenix Rising: The Artistry of Calum Graham

We are excited to partner with Puddingstone Festival on an evening of music at Rough Point! Our founder Doris Duke was a supporter of the arts, as well as a musician and a dancer. We are delighted to host this evening celebrating the performing arts in her home.

This performance presents one of the world’s leading fingerstyle guitarists, Calum Graham. Join us for a summer evening of original music with this exceptional artist, plus a pre-concert dance performance featuring Deanna Gerde, dancer-in-residence Katie Moorhead, and a special surprise musical guest. Calum’s performances showcase his mastery of the acoustic, baritone, and harp guitar. His original compositions blend elements of folk, world, soul, blues, and jazz, all rooted in his signature fingerstyle technique. Audiences are captivated by his technical brilliance, emotional depth, and rare ability to connect through music.

“The most promising young guitarist I’ve seen. His command of the guitar is already really impressive!” — Andy McKee

Doors open at 5:30 PM. The show runs from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Purchase your tickets here.

 

About Puddingstone Festival:

Puddingstone Festival are a group of passionate music lovers and artistic entrepreneurs, united by a shared love for the arts. Their team brings together a rich diversity of perspectives, with board members hailing from various professions and backgrounds. Some are local to the area (yes, real island natives), others come from different parts of the country, and their founder is from Europe—each of them contributing a unique set of skills and experiences.

What unites them is the strong commitment to promoting the arts, connecting with the community, and supporting its growth and well-being. 

Quest: Puddingstone Festival II

Quest: Puddingstone Festival II

We are excited to partner with Puddingstone Festival on an evening of music at Rough Point! Our founder Doris Duke was a supporter of the arts, as well as a musician and a dancer. We are delighted to host this evening celebrating the performing arts in her home.

Embark on a musical journey at Rough Point, where the spirit of musical exploration and discovery is brought to life through a colorful program of chamber music. “Quest” invites listeners to experience the creative quest of composers across centuries and
continents.
Puddingstone founder and pianist Clemens Teufel joins violinist Andrea Segar to open the program with Mozart’s Violin Sonata in E minor. One of only two violin sonatas Mozart composed in a minor key, this work reveals the composer’s search for new expressive possibilities through its lyricism and emotional depth. The program continues with Lili Boulanger’s Two Pieces for Violin and Piano, offering a glimpse into the composer’s unique voice and her own artistic journey. These evocative miniatures highlight Boulanger’s sensitivity and innovation, enriching the evening’s exploration.
Contemporary perspectives come to the fore with Vanished Voices by Takuma Itoh, a work that reflects on memory and presence, and the Sonata for Violin and Piano by Dan van Hassel, which challenges performers and listeners alike with its inventive textures and bold narrative.
The quest culminates with Beethoven’s monumental “Archduke” Trio, performed by pianist Angela Kim, violinist Clara Kim, and cellist Rafael Popper-Keizer. Dedicated to his patron Archduke Rudolph, this iconic trio stands as a testament to Beethoven’s
relentless pursuit of artistic grandeur, guiding listeners through a sweeping musical journey from the noble opening movement to the exuberant finale.

Purchase your tickets here.

 

About Puddingstone Festival:

Puddingstone Festival are a group of passionate music lovers and artistic entrepreneurs, united by a shared love for the arts. Their team brings together a rich diversity of perspectives, with board members hailing from various professions and backgrounds. Some are local to the area (yes, real island natives), others come from different parts of the country, and their founder is from Europe—each of them contributing a unique set of skills and experiences.

What unites them is the strong commitment to promoting the arts, connecting with the community, and supporting its growth and well-being.