Castleton Festival

This year’s USC Immersion is coming! Join us for two amazing performances! 'Potpourri!' featuring audience-favorite arias and lesser known masterpieces is 8/9, and 'The Bard and his Ballads': an exploration of Shakespeare's texts is 8/16! castletonmusic.org

We’re so pleased to share this clip from Giovanni Bertolazzi, who performed last year as a Keyboard Charitable Trust Foundation pianist. What an amazing talent! Here Giovanni performs 𝐓𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐯𝐬𝐤𝐲’𝐬 𝐏𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐨. 𝟏 at the amazing Liszt Academy!

At Castleton, learning isn’t just about technique and performance-it’s about place. Imagine rehearsing all morning, then stepping outside to golden light stretching over fields, trees whispering in the breeze, & mountains fading into dusk. Come for the music. Stay for the magic.

MAESTRO MONDAY! In this clip, Maestro is doing what he loved the most: mentoring young musicians! This was a Violin Masterclass at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía in Madrid, 2014. In this clip, they work on the first movement of Richard Strauss' Violin Sonata op.18.

Summertime at the Castleton Festival means world-class music in the heart of Virginia’s countryside. Come for the music—stay for the magic of Castleton. Check out our performances at castletonmusic.org!

In the midst of creative intensity, the Spa at the Castleton Festival offers a serene escape.⁠ Whether you’re a performer or a guest staying at our sister location, The Meadows at Castleton, this peaceful space restores balance and brings calm to the rhythm of your day.⁠

Every summer, the hills of Castleton come alive with the sound of rising talent. Students from the USC School of Music spend two magical weeks here. This is the USC Immersion at Castleton—a place to grow, to connect, and to create something truly lasting.

White clouds sweep across the lush green hills of Castleton and for a moment it feels like time stands still. This is where music comes to life. If you’ve ever dreamed of a place where beauty and music meet, this is it. Check out all we have to offer at castletonmusic.org!

Even after Maestro Lorin Maazel’s passing in 2014, his spirit is alive at Castleton, and we continue to honor his vision—a place where music, mentorship, and nature come together. His legacy guides us and inspires us. The music lives on, just as he dreamed.

The Headwaters Foundation was founded by public-school parents and community members wanting to make a difference in the education offered in Rappahannock County. Rappahannock is lucky to have such a wonderful organization supporting our children! headwatersfdn.org

We’re so pleased to share Vivien Stringfellow will be pursuing her Masters of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music! Vivien was a 2024 fellow in our USC Program - we couldn’t be more proud of her as she takes this next step!

Throwback Thursday! A photo found from the Castleton Festival vaults! And what an image! 25 years ago, a young Andrea Boccelli was invited by Lorin Maazel to make his Munich Debut on the stage of the famed old Prinregententheatre - What a beautiful image of these two masters!

MAESTRO MONDAY! Maestro Maazel in his element—guiding the orchestra with precision, passion, and an ear for every detail.⁠ ⁠ A moment of rehearsal, a lifetime of mastery. At Castleton, his legacy lives on in every note.

Springtime in Castleton has a way of making us wax poetic—flowering trees, warm breezes, and mountain views that feel like verses waiting to be written. Nature’s beauty sets the rhythm, and we’re just here to listen.

As the grounds awaken in color and light, creativity blossoms alongside nature. Whether you're here to perform, learn, enjoy a performance, or simply take it all in, Spring is when Castleton comes alive.⁠ ⁠ Beauty, artistry, and the promise of what's ahead.

We’re so pleased to share that Kyungeun Katy Lee, Soprano, won second place in the 37th Annual Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition! Lee was a Fellow in our Vocal Immersion Program several years ago, and we’re so excited to watch her career progress, and her success!

Maestro discusses what a conductor does in this short clip from a video of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. In this clip, you can truly see how Maestro embodies the music, which was always a part of him as a conductor, performer, teacher, and mentor.

Did you know? The Rappahannock Historical Society began in 1964 with a group dedicated to preserving the county’s rich past, and includes a museum, archives, and genealogy and local history research. It’s a great place explore the stories of Rappahannock County!

A moment of pure beauty from Sujari Britt and Jared Alan Yoakem, performing Fauré’s "Après un rêve" at the Collington Retirement Community. Their artistry speaks for itself—graceful, heartfelt, and deeply moving. Watch the full clip and let yourself be transported by their magic.

Spring has sprung at Castleton! The flowers are blooming, and we are surrounded by the beauty of the season. There’s nothing quite like springtime in the countryside—come see for yourself, and enjoy an incredible performance in our world-class theater. castletonmusic.org/subscribe/