7 reasons to plan a musical getaway at Caramoor this summer
You can hear spectacular music year-round at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, but the best time to visit is during the summer, when warm weather lends itself to lying on a tree-shaded lawn listening to beautiful music, a bottle of wine chilling nearby.
Located in Katonah, about 40 miles outside of New York City, Caramoor combines classical, jazz, and roots music with local history to create just what founders Walter and Lucie Rosen wanted: a haven for culture, artists, and the arts.
Go for a picnic, stay for a concert. Here are a few reasons to visit Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts this summer.
1. A whole summer of music. Caramoor’s 72nd Summer Season features a full palette of opera, orchestral, chamber, jazz and American Roots music, as well as family programs and young artist showcases. Don’t miss the American Roots Music Festival on June 24 with Rhiannon Giddens and Sarah Jarosz, and the popular Caramoor Jazz Festival with legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner on July 15. Opera lovers will surely enjoy the “beautiful song” of Caramoor’s Bel Canto at Caramoor series on July 8 and July 23. Families will have a blast at Caramoor’s kid-friendly Wednesdays, where the little ones can dance to folk music from our country and others.
2. Classical Sunday afternoons. The summer season’s classical lineup shines with new canonical masterworks and familiar favorites. If you like Mozart, on July 2, you can get a full afternoon of his genius performed by Orchestra of St. Luke’s and conducted their Principal Conductor Designate Bernard Labadie. On July 16, the Orchestra performs Vivaldi’s Four Seasons followed by Piazzola’s sultry interpretation with guitarist and artist-in residence Jason Vieaux. And don’t miss international phenom pianist Daniil Trifonov in a solo recital on June 9.
That’s just a sample of Caramoor’s classical offerings—the music continues through July 30 with the Summer Season Finale!
Now that you’ve set the date, why not extend your stay? Before a concert, enjoy Afternoon Tea at Rosen House. You’ll get to tour the romantic mansion, gardens and grounds (See #4) and snack on delicious treats while overlooking the Mediterranean-inspired Spanish Courtyard. Package tickets for tea and a concert are available for select Sundays.
3. A sparkling Fourth of July Celebration. Grab your friends, family, and a picnic basket and celebrate Fourth of July weekend on Caramoor’s Friends Field. Broadway baritone Ryan Silverman performs songs from the Great American Songbook, while trumpet soloist Amy McCabe and the Westchester Symphonic Winds salute the stars and stripes. The night concludes with a bang—a fireworks display you’ll never forget. The celebration takes place on Saturday, July 1.
4. Visit the Rosen House. Witness a work of art and a piece of living history when you step into the Rosen House, completed in 1939. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Rosen House’s Music Room is the site of much of Caramoor’s year-round programming. Note: check back on July 10, when Caramoor announces its equally spectacular fall/winter lineup and its spring 2018 concert series. Presale starts July 17; general public sale, July 24.
5. Beautiful grounds. Caramoor’s Italian-style gardens inspired the Rosens to purchase the estate in 1928. It’s easy to see why. Perennial flowers, lush greenery and an antique sundial give the three-tiered Sunken Garden timeless beauty.
The Iris and Peony Garden overflows with flowers—a lovely symbol of summer. On your walk, don’t miss the Sense Circle, a structure and fountain surrounded by plants of many colors, scents and textures. The Tapestry Hedge features statutes of Zephyr and Flora. Sonic Innovations features newly-commissioned sound art spread throughout the grounds.
6. Great food. Sure, you can bring your homemade sandwiches and chicken salad to a Caramoor concert, but with so many food options on site, why not let them cook?
The Food + Drink tents offer a variety of organic, locally sourced snacks and beverages. You can grab a Caramoor burger, a grilled cheese sandwich, or a healthy Farmer’s Bowl (hearty salad) at the Katchkie Food Truck. The Concessions and Tap tents have snacks and drinks for the kids, as well as local wine and beer for the grown-ups. And on those especially muggy summer nights, a cup of Ben & Jerrys will hit the spot!
Want to skip the lines? Pre-order a picnic box. You’ll have a delicious gourmet meal waiting for you. For select performances, take a seat at Symphony Court. Held under a tented pavilion, you’ll enjoy a buffet menu and unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks.
7. A serene country getaway. Say goodbye to your usual frantic pace for a day or a weekend of music that soothes the soul. Caramoor is about an hour’s drive from Manhattan and 30 minutes from Stamford, Connecticut—and there’s free on-site parking. You can also take the Metro-North Railroad to Katonah Station. A free shuttle will take you the rest of the way for Thursday through Sunday performances.
What are you doing this weekend? Reserve your tickets to Caramoor events at caramoor.org or by calling 914-232-1252.
Looking to create the perfect outing for your club, organization, or large group? Groups enjoy specially discounted ticket plans on select performances. For group services inquiries, email groups@caramoor.org.