Classical Cape May
2026-27 Season
We are excited to announce our fourth season—and a new chapter for Classical Cape May as we are now officially part of Cape May MAC! Cape May MAC generously covers our artists’ fees, allowing our concerts to remain free to the public, although donations are always welcome. Concerts are held at 4 PM at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, at Franklin and Washington Streets in Cape May. Each concert lasts approximately one hour and is followed by a reception where audience members can meet the artists.
Sunday, Oct. 4
Piano Recital
Award-winning pianist Lulwa Al Shamlan opens our season with a captivating program spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. From Beethoven’s brilliant Eroica Variations and Liszt’s dazzling transcription of Wagner’s Tannhäuser Overture to the distinctive voices of Bulgarian composer Pancho Vladigerov and the visionary Sofia Gubaidulina, this exciting recital explores the piano’s extraordinary expressive range.
Sunday, Nov. 1
Music from Your Directors
Classical Cape May co-directors Robert Bullington and Brenda Leonard, joined by pianist Noriko Schneiderman, present an intimate afternoon of chamber music and song. The program features Prokofiev’s lyrical Cello Sonata and Butterworth’s beloved A Shropshire Lad, along with other works for baritone, cello, and piano. Join us for this special opportunity to hear the artists behind Classical Cape May take center stage.
Saturday, Dec. 26
Boxing Day Christmas Hymn Sing
Celebrate Boxing Day with Classical Cape May’s annual Christmas hymn sing, presented in partnership with Cape May MAC and the Episcopal Church of the Advent. Led by local musicians, this joyful community tradition invites everyone to raise their voices in singing beloved Christmas carols and hymns. Bring the whole family.
Sunday, Jan. 10
Phantom of the Opera with Live Organ Accompaniment
Step back into the golden age of silent film as organist Kevin O’Malia, of All Saints’ Church in Princeton, provides a live accompaniment to the original 1925 classic The Phantom of the Opera. Experience this cinematic masterpiece just as audiences did a century ago, with the drama, mystery, and romance brought vividly to life by the Advent organ.
Sunday, Feb. 14
Music for the Heart
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an afternoon of music for the heart. Guitarist Francisco Roldán makes his Classical Cape May debut in a program of Latin American and Romantic music showcasing the guitar’s extraordinary warmth, intimacy, and expressive beauty.
Sunday, March 14
The Roots of Choral Singing
Travel back in time as Hopewell Hall makes its Classical Cape May debut. This unique a cappella ensemble from central New Jersey specializes in the rich traditions of medieval, Shape Note singing, West Gallery music, and other historic vocal styles. Discover the vibrant sounds of communities where music was not just performed—it was a way of life.
Sunday, April 11
Spread Your Wings
Classical Cape May concludes its season with a unique presentation by the Papageno Ensemble: flutist Carol Shansky, pianist Leo Leuci, and birder Marc Chelemer of Bee-Eater Birding. As flute and piano bring birds to life in music, Marc introduces the remarkable species that inspired the composers. Following the concert, those who wish are invited to join him for a guided bird walk.
The Cape May Music Festival is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
