Photos by Gabe Palacio unless otherwise noted
Presenting its 77th summer season, Katonah’s Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is bigger and better than ever with an exciting, diverse lineup of world-class performances.
If you’ve been to a concert at Caramoor, you know what a special place it is. If you haven’t, make this the summer to check it out. Nestled on 80 picturesque acres, Caramoor features four lovely outdoor venues—the Venetian Theater, Spanish Courtyard, Sunken Garden, and Friends Field (which has been recently renovated and now includes a permanent stage). The season opened in grand style on June 18 with Yo-Yo Ma and The Knights, and concludes on August 7 with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s all-Beethoven program. In between are a wide variety of musical performances including the Afro-Latin sounds of Grammy-nominated Pedrito Martinez (July 1), San Francisco’s famous Kronos Quartet (July 8), A Night at the Opera with Stephanie Blythe and Laquita Mitchell (July 22), and four-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo (August 6). Also not to be missed: the annual Pops & Patriots concert (July 2) and Jazz Festival (July 30). There’s also a free event on Sunday, July 24—Michael Gordon’s “Field of Vision” presented in collaboration with Bang on a Can will feature 40 percussionists, in a world premiere of an immersive outdoor concert experience.
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While visiting Caramoor, be sure to explore the gardens and sound art installations and set aside time to tour the historic Rosen House. Walter and Lucie Rosen—the music-loving couple that founded Caramoor—completed the construction of their Mediterranean-style villa in 1939. The home—which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places—is filled with a tremendous collection of antiques—from a 16th-century painted Spanish ceiling to Lucie Rosen’s 17th-century bed which once belonged to Pope Urban VIII. Caramoor hosts lovely Afternoon Teas in the home’s Music Room on summer Friday and Sunday afternoons; tickets ($45 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under) include access to select rooms. Full docent-led tours (which we highly recommend) are $15 for adults, free for kids under 18.
Visit caramoor.org for tickets and more information or call 914.232.1252. If you’re traveling on Metro North, take advantage of the free shuttle from the Katonah station to the venue before and after every concert.
