L-R Photo of Cantus by Nate Ryan; Photo of Frisson by Dorothy Shi

Newport Classical is bringing holiday cheer to the city with a series of concerts this December. The organization has lined up four performances across two weekends, featuring talented musical groups in some of Newport’s most beautiful venues.

On December 8, Rosecliff will host “Cantus at the Mansion: Songs of the Season.” The renowned ensemble Cantus will perform alongside The Choir School of Newport County at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Emmanuel Church is the setting for “Classical Christmas” on December 14. The ensemble Frisson will present two afternoon concerts, treating audiences to seasonal favorites, including the Nutcracker Suite and Vivaldi’s “Winter.”

Cantus plans to modernize the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols format. They’ll be joined by the Professional Choristers of The Choir School of Newport County, under the direction of Peter Berton, for an hour-long musical journey.

Frisson, led by oboist Thomas Gallant, will offer a mix of classical works and beloved carols. After each performance, concertgoers can enjoy a reception hosted by the Vestry of Emmanuel Church.

Tickets for all concerts are now available on Newport Classical’s website. The Cantus performances are made possible thanks to Cynthia Sinclair’s generous support of The Choir School of Newport County.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...