American Masterworks

Experience a high-octane opening to the 2026 season with an all-American program featuring two-time Grammy Award winning James Ehnes, one of the most acclaimed violinists performing today. From the jazz-infused streets of 1940s New York to the searching harmonies of mid-century America, this program captures the full expressive range of the American orchestral tradition. 

James Ehnes is one of the most celebrated violinists of his generation and has won two Grammys, three Gramophone Awards and twelve Juno Awards, the most of any classical musician in history. Performing on the legendary “Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715, he brings centuries of history to every note he plays. While now a staple on the world’s most prestigious stages, Ehnes has a special history with the Peninsula Music Festival, having performed here early in his meteoric rise when both he and the PMF were still finding their place in the musical world. To hear him now — at the height of his international success — is a rare opportunity that regular concertgoers and newcomers alike shouldn’t miss.

Program

• Bernstein | Three Dance Episodes from On the Town: Start the night with the jazzy, urban energy of Leonard Bernstein’s iconic Broadway-inspired score.

• Joan Tower | Tambor: A modern masterpiece defined by its driving, percussive power.

• Barber | Violin Concerto, Op. 14: James Ehnes takes center stage for this cornerstone of the violin repertoire, famous for its heart-wrenching melodies and a finale that demands breathtaking technical virtuosity.

• Sousa | Stars and Stripes Forever: The night concludes with the ultimate American encore, ensuring you leave the theater on a high note.

Opening night at the PMF never disappoints, and the 2026 season opens with one of the strongest programs in recent memory. With a world-renowned soloist returning to his roots and a program that moves from the energy of Broadway to the grandeur of the concert hall, this is a performance that delivers on every level.

This is your chance to see a global icon in an intimate setting before he returns to the world’s largest stages. 

String Serenades

Immerse yourself in an evening of lush, romantic string music as world-renowned violinist James Ehnes returns for a rare and captivating performance. This program pairs two of the most beloved serenades in the repertoire with a concerto that showcases the expressive depths of the violin, capturing the charm, elegance, and beauty of a perfect summer night.

Whether you missed him on opening night or are coming back for more, seeing James Ehnes is a must-experience event. One of the most celebrated violinists of his generation, Ehnes has won two Grammys, three Gramophone Awards and twelve Juno Awards — the most of any classical musician in history — and performs on the legendary “Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715. A fixture on the world’s most prestigious stages, Ehnes has a storied history with the Peninsula Music Festival, having performed here during his rise to international stardom.

In this special second appearance, you will witness Ehnes in a rare and thrilling “Play/Lead” role. In a tradition dating back to the time of Mozart, he will act as both the featured soloist and the conductor, leading the orchestra directly from his violin. This requires a level of musical “telepathy” and intense communication between the artist and the ensemble that is electrifying to witness in person.

Program

• Elgar | Serenade for Strings: A romantic and gentle opening that captures the charm of the English countryside. It is youthful, elegant, and serves as a warm invitation to the night ahead.

• Mozart | Violin Concerto No. 4: The centerpiece of the evening’s “Play/Lead” challenge. This is Mozart at his most witty and bright. Without a conductor’s baton, the dialogue between Ehnes and the orchestra is immediate, intimate, and electric.

• Dvorák | Serenade for Strings: One of the most beloved works in the entire string repertoire. Written during a period of great happiness for the composer, it is sunny, folk-inspired, and captures the spirit of a perfect summer evening.

This isn’t just a concert — it’s witnessing world-class music-making in the moment. While James Ehnes typically performs in the world’s great symphony halls, the PMF provides something those venues rarely can: an intimate setting where you experience the nuance and leadership that make him a global icon up close. This is his second and final appearance of the 2026 festival. Don’t miss it.

Scandinavian Sounds

Journey to the rugged, atmospheric landscapes of the North with Scandinavian Sounds, a program featuring the virtuosic talents of the festival’s own stars: Principal Trumpet Mark Hughes and English Hornist Leanna Renfro. This all-Nordic program brings together four voices from the Scandinavian tradition, each unmistakably itself, all unforgettable.

While the Peninsula Music Festival attracts global guests, some of the most electrifying performances of the season come from within our own ranks. Mark Hughes, the festival’s highly talented Principal Trumpet, steps out from the ensemble to take center stage in a concerto that showcases the brilliance and agility of his instrument. He is joined in the spotlight by Leanna Renfro, whose hauntingly beautiful English horn playing brings one of the most famous myths in music to life. Seeing these leaders of the orchestra perform as soloists offers an intimate look at the world-class caliber of the PMF musicians you see on stage every night.

Program

• Svendsen | Norwegian Artists’ Carnival: We begin with a burst of energy. This festive, folk-inspired work captures the joy of a traditional Norwegian celebration—vibrant, rhythmic, and full of life.

• Sibelius | The Swan of Tuonela: One of the most atmospheric pieces ever written. Leanna Renfro’s English horn provides the “voice” of the mystical swan gliding through the underworld. 

• Lars-Erik Larsson | Trumpet Concertino: A hidden gem of the repertoire. This piece allows Mark Hughes to show off the trumpet’s versatility, moving from lyrical melodies to technical fireworks.

• Nielsen | Symphony No. 2 (The Four Temperaments): The evening concludes with a musical “personality test.” Inspired by a painting the composer saw in a village inn, each movement represents a different human temperament: The Choleric (angry), The Phlegmatic (lazy), The Melancholic (sad), and The Sanguine (happy). It’s a fun, dramatic, and incredibly relatable masterpiece.
  

  From the haunting “Swan” to the high-energy “Carnival,” this program is a sensory experience designed for a midsummer night. It’s the kind of performance that people keep in their memories long after the concert ends.

Wizardry and Wonder: The Music of John Williams

Step into the magic of the movies with a grand tribute to John Williams, the legendary composer whose scores have become the soundtrack of our lives. From the sweeping landscapes of War Horse to the whimsical wizarding world of Harry Potter, this evening celebrates the cinematic mastery and emotional depth of the most Oscar-nominated man alive.

Leading the evening is Bob Bernhardt, one of America’s most celebrated pops conductors and a specialist in bringing cinematic music to the concert hall. Currently in his 45th season with the Louisville Orchestra — where he has served as Principal Pops Conductor since 1997 — Bernhardt made his Boston Pops debut at the personal invitation of John Williams in 1992 and has returned as a frequent guest ever since. His deep familiarity with the Williams catalog makes him the ideal guide for a program this rich in scope and variety. Over a career spanning four decades, he has collaborated with everyone from the Beach Boys to Broadway’s Kelli O’Hara. A self-described “musical omnivore” and former Academic All-American baseball player, Bernhardt brings a unique blend of precision, versatility, and infectious joy to the podium.

While everyone recognizes the themes to Star Wars or Jaws, this concert offers a rare opportunity to hear the full breadth of John Williams’ genius. The first half of the program explores his “hidden gems”—deeply moving, sophisticated scores that showcase his ability to capture the American spirit: both the tragedy and the triumph. In the second half, the orchestra transforms the theater into Hogwarts, performing an extensive suite of music from the first three Harry Potter films. Hearing these complex, multi-layered scores performed live by a full symphony orchestra is a visceral experience that a movie theater simply cannot replicate.

Program

Part I: The Soul of a Legend

• Dartmoor, 1912 (from War Horse): A sweeping, pastoral opening that captures the beauty and hope of the English countryside.

• The Mission (NBC News Theme): The pulse of American news. You’ll recognize this iconic, high-energy theme immediately.

• Themes from The Book Thief: Intimate and quietly devastating, this score showcases Williams at his most tender and restrained. 

• “Remembrances” (from Schindler’s List): One of the most moving pieces Williams ever wrote — a melody that speaks directly to the heart.

• Olympic Spirit: Written for the 1988 Games, this is Williams at his most triumphant and heroic.

• “With Malice Toward None” (from Lincoln): A stately, beautiful work for strings that evokes the dignity and weight of American history.

• Themes from Far and Away: A soaring, epic score that follows Irish immigrants chasing the American dream — a rousing and fitting close to the first half.

Part II: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 

A journey through the music of the first three films, including the iconic Hedwig’s Theme, the mischievous Aunt Marge’s Waltz, the frantic energy of The Knight Bus, and the soaring Fawkes the Phoenix. It is a masterclass in musical storytelling that brings the magic of the screen to life.

This is a concert for everyone — the lifelong classical music fan, the Harry Potter devotee, the family looking for a summer night they’ll all remember. John Williams has spent six decades proving that great music doesn’t need a category. Come enjoy an evening and find out what makes his work so special.

An Evening with Mozart

Experience the elegance, wit, and timeless beauty of one of history’s most beloved composers in An Evening with Mozart. This program balances two of Mozart’s greatest masterpieces with a stunning piano concerto featuring Stewart Goodyear, an audience favorite who is returning to the Peninsula Music Festival by popular demand.

Pianist Stewart Goodyear, known for his incredible technique and expressive depth, has performed with the PMF several times and has become a true favorite of our Door County community. His return, by popular demand, is one of the most anticipated events of the 2026 season. Watching a performer of his caliber tackle the delicate brilliance of Mozart in our intimate concert hall is a rare treat that brings a “big-city” concerto experience directly to Door County.

Proclaimed “a phenomenon” by the Los Angeles Times and “one of the best pianists of his generation” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Goodyear is a true titan of the keyboard. Renowned worldwide for his “Sonatathon” performances—where he performs all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas in a single day—his technical brilliance is matched only by his deep, soulful expressivity. A multi-Juno Award nominee who has graced the stages of the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony, watching Goodyear perform is an experience unto itself.

Program

• Mozart | Overture to The Magic Flute: Start the evening with the noble and mysterious chords of one of the world’s most beloved operas. It is a perfect, high-energy opening that sets a magical tone for the night.

• Mozart | Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major: Stewart Goodyear takes center stage for this masterpiece. Famous for its heart-breakingly beautiful slow movement and its joyful, bubbling finale, it is the perfect showcase for Goodyear’s signature blend of power and grace.

• Mozart | Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major: The evening concludes with one of Mozart’s final and most sophisticated symphonies. It is a work of grand scale and sunny disposition, ensuring you leave the theater feeling uplifted.

All Mozart. One of the world’s finest pianists. A perfect summer night in Door County. Don’t miss this spectacular evening!

La Dolce Vita: Italian Masterpieces

Transport yourself to the sun-drenched landscapes of Italy with a program that journeys from the elegant courts of Venice to the thundering triumph of ancient Rome. Featuring five of the festival’s own virtuoso soloists and concluding with one of the most powerful finales in classical music, La Dolce Vita: Italian Masterpieces is a night of high drama and sonic splendor.

This evening highlights the extraordinary depth of talent within the Peninsula Music Festival orchestra. We begin with a series of concertos featuring our own principal players stepping into the spotlight: Michael Kroth (Bassoon), Helen Blackburn (Flute), Eric Olson (Oboe), and the powerful horn duo of Erich Peterson and Leslie Norton. Seeing these musicians—who are usually part of the symphonic fabric—take center stage as soloists is a favorite tradition for our regular attendees. It’s a chance to hear the individual artistry that makes this ensemble one of the finest in the country.

Program

• Vivaldi | Bassoon Concerto in A minor, RV 497: Michael Kroth showcases the “soul” of the bassoon in this nimble, expressive work by the Red Priest of Venice.

• Telemann | Concerto for 2 Horns in F: Erich Peterson and Leslie Norton bring a regal, heroic energy to the stage in this virtuosic display of horn playing.

• Vivaldi | Concerto for Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, and Strings: A delightful “conversation” between Helen Blackburn, Eric Olson, and Michael Kroth. It is Baroque chamber music at its most sophisticated and playful.

• Verdi | Overture to La Forza del Destino: The second half roars to life with one of opera’s most famous overtures—a dramatic, sweeping whirlwind of fate and passion.

• Respighi | Pines of Rome: The night ends with a true sonic spectacular. This massive four-part tone poem depicts the trees of Rome across history, culminating in a finale so powerful it includes extra brass and the sound of a marching Roman army. It is a physical experience that must be felt live.

From the intimate conversations of Baroque Venice to the full sonic power of ancient Rome, this program covers extraordinary ground — and does it with five of the PMF’s own finest musicians front and center. A perfect way to spend an evening in Door County.

The Viennese Legacy

Experience the sweeping passion of the 19th century with The Viennese Legacy, a powerhouse program featuring two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann. From the poetic brilliance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto to the sun-drenched triumph of Brahms’s Second Symphony, this evening is a celebration of the melodies that defined an era and continue to capture hearts today.

Lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer and “a pianist of sterling artistry” by the prestigious Gramophone magazine, Michelle Cann is one of the most sought-after artists of her generation. A regular guest with the world’s leading orchestras, she is equally celebrated as a champion of rediscovered masterpieces, most notably the works of composer Florence Price. Her recordings of Price’s work have earned her two Grammy Awards, cementing her reputation as both a brilliant performer and an important artistic voice of our time. Recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and a faculty member at both the Curtis Institute and the Manhattan School of Music, Cann brings an extraordinary depth of musicianship to everything she touches. Watching her tackle the lush, romantic melodies of Schumann’s concerto in our intimate setting is a rare opportunity to see a modern legend at the peak of her powers.

Program

• Schumann | Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54: This is a deeply romantic dialogue between the piano and the orchestra. It moves from tender, song-like melodies to a spirited, rhythmic finale that perfectly showcases Michelle Cann’s signature blend of power and grace.

• Brahms | Symphony No. 2 in D Major: Often called Brahms’s “Pastoral” symphony, this work was written during a summer holiday in the Austrian Alps. It is filled with warmth, lush melodies, and a sense of outdoor peace, concluding with one of the most jubilant and triumphant endings in all of classical music.

Michelle Cann is among the most talented pianists on the international circuit today. Hearing her perform Schumann in the intimate setting of the PMF — rather than one of the massive halls where she typically appears — is exactly the kind of experience this festival was built to provide… and one you won’t want to miss.

Revolution and Romance

Experience the evolution of the symphony in Revolution & Romance, a program that tracks the journey from the elegant wit of the Classical era to the bold, fiery spirit of early Romanticism. This evening is a dedicated showcase for the next generation of great conductors, featuring Ezra Calvino and Thomas Nettle, the exceptionally talented emerging artists from the Yale School of Music.

One of the most exciting traditions at the Peninsula Music Festival is our partnership with the Yale School of Music through the Karen Smuda Emerging Conductor Program. This season, we are proud to feature two rising stars on the podium:

• Ezra Calvino: Returning for their second year by popular demand, Calvino is a current Yale MMA candidate who captivated our audience last season.

• Thomas Nettle: Making his PMF debut, Nettle brings a fresh, dynamic perspective to the podium as one of the newest standouts from Yale’s elite conducting fellowship.

Watching these “next-generation” masters lead our professional orchestra provides a unique energy and a first look at the future of classical music.

Program

• Mendelssohn | Sinfonia No. 10 in B minor: A youthful and vibrant work for strings that showcases the agility and precision of the PMF ensemble. It is the perfect high-energy opener to display the conductors’ technical command.

• Haydn | Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor, “Farewell”: This is one of the most famous “theatrical” pieces in history. As the music reaches its end, musicians gradually blow out their candles and leave the stage one by one—a witty protest Haydn wrote for his employer that remains a crowd favorite today.

• Beethoven | Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36: The evening concludes with a “revolutionary” work. While it retains the elegance of the classical style, it is packed with the raw power, humor, and rhythmic energy that would define Beethoven as a musical rebel.

Revolution & Romance offers something no other concert in the 2026 season can: the rare opportunity to witness exceptional emerging talent leading a world-class professional orchestra. The results are electric and the memories meant to last. Great conductors have to start somewhere. This is where you get to say you saw them first.

Mahler’s Third: A World in Symphony

For the grand finale of our 2026 season, we present Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 3. To bring this epic “world in a symphony” to life, our stage will be overflowing with top performers, featuring the internationally acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, the celestial voices of the Apollo Women’s Chorus, and the pure, joyful energy of the Appleton Boychoir. Mahler famously said a symphony “must embrace everything,” and in this massive 90-minute odyssey, he delivers a journey that moves from the primal forces of nature to the heights of spiritual love.

The Artists: A Powerhouse Collaboration

• Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano: Mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung is one of the most sought-after artists on the international stage, performing regularly with the world’s top orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, and Vienna Philharmonic. Equally at home in the opera house, she has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Bayreuth, and the Paris Opera in signature roles spanning Wagner, Verdi, and Berlioz. A multi-Grammy Award-winning recording artist whose discography includes a celebrated recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, DeYoung brings unparalleled authority to this work. Hearing her perform it live is a rare and extraordinary opportunity.

• The Apollo Women’s Chorus of Chicago: Returning by popular demand after their stunning PMF appearance last season, this elite Chicago ensemble brings the sophisticated, angelic choral textures required for Mahler’s heavenly visions.

• The Appleton Boychoir: A beloved Wisconsin institution with a global reputation, these talented young singers add a layer of “sentimental magic” and pure, bell-like clarity to the performance.

Program

Mahler’s Third is a six-movement experience that scales the hierarchy of existence:

1. Nature Awakens: A thunderous opening for eight horns depicting the heavy, primal forces of the earth.

2. Flowers & Animals: Delicate, charming movements that capture the beauty of the meadow and the secret life of the forest.

3. The Midnight Song: Michelle DeYoung takes center stage for a haunting, mysterious setting of Nietzsche’s “O Man, take heed!”

4. The Angels’ Chorus: The women and boys join in for a bright, joyful celebration of heavenly life.

5. What Love Tells Me: The symphony—and our season—ends with a lush, heart-wrenching Adagio for the full orchestra that is widely considered one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.

There is no more powerful way to close our season than with Mahler’s Third. From the thundering horns of the opening to the devastating beauty of the final Adagio, this is a concert that asks everything of its performers — and delivers everything to its audience. A perfect ending to the 2026 Peninsula Music Festival season. Don’t miss it.