NEWPORT — The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will bring an evening of theater, film and classical favorites to the oceanside lawn of Rosecliff on Sunday, Aug. 9, with the concert starting at 7 p.m. The event, hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County, is free but requires advance registration.
Program and planning
Conductor Troy Quinn will lead the orchestra through a program that pairs staples of the orchestral repertoire with well-known show tunes. Included in the lineup are the overtures to “William Tell” and “1812”, along with selections from Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady and Wicked.
The Preservation Society says the lawn will open at 5 p.m. to allow time for picnicking. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, food and drinks. The concert will be canceled in the event of rain.
"Admission is free, but advance registration is required at newportmansions.org/events/r-i-philharmonic-concert."
Getting there and accessibility
Rosecliff parking will be limited: no general parking is available on site except for guests with a disability placard. Organizers advise concertgoers to consider alternative travel methods.
- Bike racks will be provided courtesy of Bike Newport.
- RIPTA’s Route 67 bus offers free service to Rosecliff; riders can consult ripta.com/routes/67 for schedules.
- Registration is required even though there is no admission fee.
Why it matters locally
Free, large-scale outdoor concerts like this one have become a fixture of Rhode Island summers, drawing residents and visitors to historic venues while supporting local cultural institutions. Rosecliff’s sweeping back lawn offers a scenic setting that can accommodate families and small groups seeking a civic arts experience without a ticket price.
For Newport, the performance reinforces the city’s role as a summer destination for arts tourism and gives local audiences a chance to hear a full orchestra in an accessible format. The event is supported by Discover Newport and presented by the Preservation Society of Newport County in partnership with the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
| What | Rhode Island Philharmonic outdoor concert |
|---|---|
| When | Sunday, Aug. 9 — Lawn opens 5 p.m.; concert begins 7 p.m. |
| Where | Back lawn, Rosecliff (Newport) |
| Cost | Free (advance registration required) |
| Notes | No general parking on site; bike racks available; RIPTA Route 67 serves Rosecliff |
Advance registration is available at newportmansions.org/events/r-i-philharmonic-concert. If weather forces a cancellation, the Preservation Society will post updates through its usual event channels.
This free concert continues a statewide pattern of summer public programming intended to broaden access to the arts while encouraging low-impact attendance options—walking, biking or public transit—especially in historic, traffic-sensitive neighborhoods such as Newport’s Cliff Walk and Bellevue Avenue corridors.
