Festival Napa Valley marked the beginning of its 20th Anniversary Season with an unforgettable Opening Night at Charles Krug Winery, bringing together world-class music, celebrated composers, philanthropists, and cultural leaders for an evening that reflected the festival’s enduring place in Napa Valley’s artistic landscape.

Led by conductor Stephanie Childress, the Uytengsu Opening Night presented a program spanning classical masterworks, contemporary compositions, and iconic American music.

Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture opened the evening, followed by the world premiere of a new concerto by composer Michael Thurber, commissioned by Festival Napa Valley specifically for Grammy Award-winning ensemble Time for Three.

or Festival Napa Valley’s landmark 20th season.

The program continued with Young America, a six-movement work for chorus and orchestra by acclaimed composer and philanthropist Gordon Getty. The piece was performed by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, under the artistic direction of Francisco J. Núñez, adding a powerful new generation of voices to the anniversary celebration.

The evening reached its finale with a symphonic reimagining of songs by Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, and other iconic American songwriters. The dynamic closing performance brought the audience together in celebration and set an appropriately ambitious tone for Festival Napa Valley’s landmark 20th season.

The celebration continued with an intimate Patron Dinner at Beringer Vineyards, where guests experienced one of Napa Valley’s most historic settings.

The evening unfolded at the beautifully preserved Rhine House, known for its Victorian architecture, soaring turrets, and gardens, before guests gathered to enjoy fine cuisine and Beringer’s award-winning wines. The historic wine caves carved into the Spring Mountain hillside added another layer of character to an evening rooted in Napa Valley’s heritage and longstanding wine culture.

Among the notable attendees were Rick Walker, President and CEO of Festival Napa Valley; Charles Letourneau, Vice President and Director of Artistic Planning; composer Michael Thurber; conductor Stephanie Childress; Francisco J. Núñez; philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem; composer and philanthropist Gordon P. Getty; and Mauro Aprile Zanetti and Eva Zanetti, Festival Napa Valley Brand Strategy Consultants.

Together, the Opening Night performance and Patron Dinner captured what Festival Napa Valley has cultivated over two decades: a distinctive meeting point between music, art, philanthropy, fine wine, and the cultural elegance of Napa Valley.

As the festival enters its 20th year, the evening served not only as a celebration of its history, but as a statement of what lies ahead.

Photo credit: Mahelly Ferreira for Drew Altizer Photography

As the festival enters its 20th year, the evening served not only as a celebration of its history, but as a statement of what lies ahead.

Photo credit: Mahelly Ferreira for Drew Altizer Photography