Door County, Wis. (July 27, 2026) – In less than two weeks, the Peninsula Music Festival (PMF) opens its 74th season with nine unforgettable concerts featuring Grammy Award-winning artists, internationally acclaimed soloists, and one of the most exciting orchestral lineups in the festival’s history. Running August 4–22 at Door County Auditorium in Fish Creek, the 2026 season offers audiences the rare opportunity to experience world-class musicians in one of the Midwest’s most intimate concert settings.
The season opens with two highly anticipated performances by internationally acclaimed violinist James Ehnes, whose opening concerts are quickly becoming two of the festival’s hottest tickets. The two-time Grammy Award winner returns to PMF for an all-American opening night on August 4 before leading the orchestra directly from his legendary 1715 “Marsick” Stradivarius during the elegant String Serenades program on August 6.
“There’s a special energy that comes with opening night, and this season is no exception,” said Lisa Harper, President and CEO of PMF. “From returning audience favorites to artists making their PMF debut, we’ve assembled an extraordinary lineup of musicians and programs. If you’ve been thinking about attending this summer, now is the time to reserve your seats.”
The 2026 season welcomes a remarkable roster of artists, including two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann, acclaimed pianist Stewart Goodyear, Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, celebrated guest conductor Bob Bernhardt, and many of the festival’s own principal musicians stepping into the spotlight as featured soloists.
“Every concert this season tells a different story,” said Rune Bergmann, Music Director and Conductor of PMF. “One evening you’ll hear the brilliance of Mozart, another you’ll be transported into the world of Harry Potter. You’ll travel from the mountains of Scandinavia to the landscapes of Italy, from the sweeping romance of Brahms and Schumann to the monumental finale of Mahler’s Third Symphony. There truly is something for everyone, and I can’t wait to welcome audiences back for another unforgettable summer.”
Whether you’re planning a Door County getaway or looking for an unforgettable evening close to home, the Peninsula Music Festival offers a concert for every musical taste—from beloved movie music the whole family can enjoy to timeless classical masterworks and internationally acclaimed soloists. With opening night just around the corner and tickets selling fast, audiences are encouraged to reserve their seats soon.
Tickets available at musicfestival.com.
2026 SEASON AT A GLANCE
Concert 1: American Masterworks
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
The season opens with a bang—and a legend. Two-time GRAMMY Award winner James Ehnes, one of the most celebrated violinists alive, returns to the PMF stage performing on the legendary 1715 “Marsick” Stradivarius. Expect jazz-infused Bernstein, the percussive power of Joan Tower, and the breathtaking Barber Violin Concerto. All-American. All unforgettable.
Concert 2: String Serenades
Thursday, August 6, 2026
James Ehnes returns in a rare “Play/Lead” role—simultaneously performing as soloist and directing the orchestra from his violin, a tradition dating back to Mozart’s time. Paired with beloved serenades by Elgar and Dvořák, this is a performance that captures both technical mastery and musical “telepathy” you have to witness in person.
Concert 3: Scandinavian Sounds
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Journey to the Nordic North with PMF’s own stars taking center stage. Principal Trumpet Mark Hughes and English Hornist Leanna Renfro step out of the ensemble to perform solo works alongside Nielsen’s beloved “Four Temperaments” symphony. From hauntingly beautiful to high-energy folk celebration—this all-Scandinavian program is a midsummer sensory experience.
Concert 4: Wizardry and Wonder — The Music of John Williams
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Celebrated pops conductor Bob Bernhardt—invited to his pops debut by John Williams himself—leads a sweeping tribute spanning War Horse, Schindler’s List, and an immersive Harry Potter suite from the first three films. A perfect night for the whole family to experience the magic of music and the stories that stay with us forever.
Concert 5: An Evening with Mozart
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Returning by popular demand, pianist Stewart Goodyear—proclaimed “a phenomenon” by the Los Angeles Times—takes on Mozart’s luminous Piano Concerto No. 23. Rounded out with The Magic Flute Overture and Symphony No. 39, this is an all-Mozart evening with one of the keyboard’s great living virtuosos.
Concert 6: La Dolce Vita — Italian Masterpieces
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Five PMF principal players step into the spotlight for an evening that travels from the elegant courts of Baroque Venice to the thundering triumph of ancient Rome. The program culminates in Respighi’s Pines of Rome—a sonic spectacle so powerful it must be felt live.
Concert 7: The Viennese Legacy
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Two-time GRAMMY award-winner Michelle Cann—hailed as “a pianist of sterling artistry” by Gramophone—performs Schumann’s sweeping Piano Concerto. Paired with Brahms’s warm, jubilant Second Symphony, this is a night of lush Romantic masterpieces delivered by one of the most sought-after artists of her generation.
Concert 8: Revolution and Romance
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Witness the future of classical music. Through the Karen Smuda Emerging Conductor Program, Yale School of Music stars Ezra Calvino and Thomas Nettle take the podium to lead a program spanning Mendelssohn, Haydn’s famous “Farewell” Symphony and Beethoven’s revolutionary Second Symphony. Great conductors all start somewhere. Get to say you saw them first.
Concert 9: Mahler’s Third — A World in Symphony
Saturday, August 22, 2026
The season closes with one of the most monumental works in all of classical music. GRAMMY Award-winning mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung—a fixture at the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, and the Met—joins the Apollo Women’s Chorus and the Appleton Boychoir for Mahler’s 90-minute symphony that moves from the primal forces of nature to the heights of spiritual love. There is no more powerful way to end a season.
TICKETS & INFORMATION
All performances take place at Door County Auditorium in Fish Creek as part of the nine-concert Peninsula Music Festival happening August 4–22, 2026. Tickets are available now at www.musicfestival.com or by calling the Peninsula Music Festival box office at (920) 854-4060.
About the Peninsula Music Festival
The Peninsula Music Festival is Door County’s International, Philharmonic Orchestra and is dedicated to bringing exceptional classical music performances to the community. Now in its 74th season, the festival continues to attract world-class musicians and enthusiastic audiences from around the region and beyond. Founded in 1953, the Peninsula Music Festival is one of the Midwest’s most treasured classical music traditions.
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