The Sembrich Announces its 2026 Summer Festival
BOLTON LANDING — The Sembrich is proud to announce its 2026 Summer Festival, Brava! Celebrating Women in Music, a season honoring the extraordinary artistry, resilience, and influence of women in music. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake George, Brava! pays tribute not only to great female performers, but also to women composers, patrons, educators, and cultural leaders whose contributions have often been overlooked. Through a thoughtfully curated series of concerts, lectures, and exhibitions, the 2026 Festival will explore themes of artistic empowerment, mentorship, and creative legacy—from the Gilded Age to today’s international stage.
“We are thrilled to present a season that celebrates the voices, vision, and vitality of women in music,” said Richard Wargo, Artistic Director of The Sembrich. “Brava! honors Marcella Sembrich’s enduring legacy while inviting audiences to reflect on the powerful role women have played—and continue to play—in shaping our cultural landscape.”
Highlights of the 2026 Festival include:
“When Marian Sang” A Tribute to Music, History, and Liberty (Friday, June 19 • 7 PM)
This special Juneteenth program reveals the inspiring life of world-renowned singer Marian Anderson, whose voice was a beacon of hope through the Civil Rights Movement and inspired generations of people around the globe.
“Rooted” with soprano Vedrana Kalas (Saturday, July 18 • 7 PM)
Brilliant coloratura soprano Vedrana Kalas presents “Rooted,” a moving program shaped by heritage and resilience. Honoring her own life’s journey, Kalas combines folk-inspired songs by Ravel and Dvořák with music of former Yugoslav composers and selections from Marcella Sembrich’s vast repertoire.
Ladies of the Lake: Studio Talk & Tea (Thursday, July 23 • 2 PM)
This special benefit event celebrates the lives of nine notable ladies of accomplishment - each with a unique tie to Lake George. The fascinating stories of these women - some famous, some less well-known, deserve to be shared.
The Overlook Quartet (Saturday, August 8 • 7 PM)
Hailed as “breathtaking” by New York Music Daily, The Overlook is a New York–based string quartet dedicated to amplifying living composers and making contemporary chamber music both accessible and electrifying.
The String Queens (Thursday, August 13 • 7 PM)
Praised for their authentic, soulful sound, this dynamic Washington, D.C.–based trio blends classical, jazz, and contemporary hits. From Baroque favorites to today’s Billboard chart-toppers, their vibrant performances inspire joy, imagination, and connection across genres and generations.
Medusa (Wednesday, August 19 • 2 PM)
Medusa is a genre-defying folk quartet combining ancient string traditions with contemporary storytelling. Featuring rare instruments and global influences—from the Middle East to Appalachia—their original music is immersive and inclusive, revealing the shared threads that connect us.
For a full festival schedule, detailed program information, and ticket options please visit, www.TheSembrich.org or contact The Sembrich at office@thesembrich.org.
The Sembrich’s 2026 Summer Festival “Brava! Celebrating Women in Music” is made possible, in part, by support from the New York State Council on the Arts, Town of Bolton, Warren County, Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, and the Touba Family Foundation.
