Brava! The Sembrich Celebrates Women in Music All Summer on Lake George

This summer, the lakeshore in Bolton Landing becomes a stage for one of the Adirondacks' most beloved cultural traditions. The Sembrich, the historic opera museum and music venue overlooking Lake George, NY, has unveiled its 2026 Summer Festival, “Brava! Celebrating Women in Music.” Running from early June through the start of September, the season honors the artistry, resilience, and influence of women in music with concerts, lectures, film screenings, and exhibitions set against one of the most scenic backdrops in upstate New York.

A Season Devoted to Women in Music

“Brava!” pays tribute not only to celebrated female performers, but also to the composers, patrons, educators, and cultural leaders whose contributions to music have too often been overlooked. The Sembrich's curators built the season around themes of artistic empowerment, mentorship, and creative legacy, tracing a line from the Gilded Age to today's international concert stage.

It is a fitting theme for this particular spot on Lake George. The museum is the former summer studio of Marcella Sembrich, a world-famous opera soprano who taught and mentored generations of singers, which makes a celebration of women in music feel right at home.

Concerts, Films, and World Music by the Lake

The festival spans roughly 20 events between Sunday, June 7 and Wednesday, September 2. Programming includes the Alfred Z. Solomon Masterwork Series of classical recitals, the Touba Family Foundation's “World Music Wednesdays,” a Sembrich Film Series, and a mix of benefit events and community showcases.

Music lovers can expect everything from classical chamber performances to global music traditions, with featured performers that include members of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The film series adds a relaxed, cinematic dimension, with five music-themed screenings planned across the summer.

A Juneteenth Tribute and a Maestra in Residence

Among the season's highlights is a Juneteenth program honoring Marian Anderson, the trailblazing contralto whose voice helped change American history. The tribute is a centerpiece of the festival's mission to spotlight women whose artistry carried cultural weight far beyond the concert hall.

The season also features a Maestra Residency built around conductor Mélisse Brunet. The residency includes a studio talk and film, an open house at the nearby Wiawaka Center for Women, and a showcase performance at The Sembrich, knitting the festival into the broader Lake George community.

About The Sembrich and Its Lakeside Setting

The Sembrich sits on the shore of Lake George in Bolton Landing, surrounded by gardens and forested Adirondack views. Once the summer teaching studio of Marcella Sembrich, the site is now a museum and an intimate concert venue where audiences can hear live music just steps from the water.

The lakeside location is a big part of the draw. Few music festivals anywhere offer the chance to pair a world-class recital with a sunset over a clear mountain lake, and that combination has made The Sembrich a summer favorite for residents and visitors alike.

Planning Your Visit

Individual concert tickets generally range from about $40 to $80, and members receive a discount on festival tickets. Because the venue is intimate, popular performances can fill up, so planning ahead is wise. The 2026 lineup was announced by The Sembrich and covered by local outlets including the Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce and NYSMusic.

For the full schedule, ticket details, and the latest lineup updates, visit thesembrich.org. Whether you come for a single concert or build a whole Lake George weekend around the festival, “Brava!” offers a memorable way to spend a summer evening on the lake.

Quick Facts

• Event: “Brava! Celebrating Women in Music,” The Sembrich's 2026 Summer Festival.

• Location: The Sembrich, Bolton Landing, on the shore of Lake George, NY.

• Dates: Approximately June 7 through September 2, 2026.

• Scale: Around 20 events, including concerts, lectures, films, and exhibitions.

• Featured series: Alfred Z. Solomon Masterwork Series, World Music Wednesdays, and The Sembrich Film Series.

• Highlights: A Juneteenth tribute to Marian Anderson and a Maestra Residency with conductor Mélisse Brunet.

• Featured artists: Performances including members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

• Tickets: Roughly $40–$80 per concert, with member discounts; details at thesembrich.org.

If you're looking for a reason to slow down and savor a Lake George summer, let live music be it. Grab a ticket, find a seat near the water, and let the season's celebration of women in music wash over you.

See you around the lake,

Greetings From Lake George

Cover image generated by AI.