Staunton Music Festival: 10 Days, 90 Musicians, and 30 Events You Can’t Miss This August
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA — The Staunton Music Festival, hailed as one of the most distinctive classical music events in the Mid-Atlantic, is returning August 15–24 with an ambitious lineup of 90 musicians, 30 events, and a blend of historic authenticity and cutting-edge programming.
Known for its commitment to both preserving the past and showcasing the present, the festival offers everything from staged Baroque masterpieces to world premieres by Virginia composers — all performed in Staunton’s charming historic venues.
Historic Meets Boldly Modern
This year’s highlights include a staged production of Handel’s “Messiah” — reimagined as a full opera to unlock its dramatic potential — and a concert version of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” that focuses purely on the music’s brilliance. The programming flips traditional expectations, offering audiences a fresh way to experience beloved works.
The festival also presents the “Virginia Soundscapes” project, designed to spotlight living Virginia composers alongside six centuries of repertoire, seamlessly blending old and new in a single program.
Global Talent, Intimate Venues
Over 90 musicians from prestigious ensembles like the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera will perform in intimate, acoustically rich spaces throughout downtown Staunton. These close-up concerts create a rare personal connection between artists and audiences.
Adding to the authenticity, works composed before 1850 will be performed on period instruments, offering listeners a historically informed soundscape that brings centuries-old music vividly to life.
More Than Just Concerts
The festival goes beyond traditional programming with free midday concerts, late-night cabaret shows, pre-concert talks, and even surprise pop-up performances. Guests can also interact with composers-in-residence, gaining deeper insight into the creative process.
“We present classical music in a way that’s deeply reverent to its origins and boldly innovative in presentation,” said Executive Director Jason Stell. “From staged oratorios to world premieres, we invite audiences to experience music in ways they’ve never imagined.”
If You Go
- Dates: August 15–24, 2025
- Venues: Historic locations in downtown Staunton, VA
- Tickets: Single-event tickets and full festival passes available at stauntonmusicfestival.org
- Free events: Midday concerts open to the public
Which festival performance are you most excited to see — the staged Messiah, the concert Magic Flute, or the Virginia Soundscapes premieres? Share your picks with us at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.