Oliver Inteeworn Charts a New Course for Newport Classical

Summer festival returns to 11 Aquidneck Island venues July 2-19

Photo courtesy of Newport Classical

The Newport Classical Music Festival hosts indoor and outdoor concerts July 2-19

Photo courtesy of Newport Classical

The festival, in its 57th year, offers 30 concerts across 11 different venues

Photo courtesy of Newport Classical

Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2026 9:00 am

By Emily Olson

Oliver Inteeworn, Newport Classical’s new executive director, does not consider himself a classical purist. “I studied classical guitar at the conservatory in Germany, where I’m from. I also played electric guitar as well as jazz and rock,” he says. “I love all kinds of genres as long as the music is well-performed.”

Well-performed music is what formed the very building blocks of his career. Inteeworn came to Newport from New York, where he served as the executive director of the American Symphony Orchestra. He has also held roles at The Orchestra Now at Bard College and at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where he began his career. “Starting at the top in New York City was a great first step,” Inteeworn says. “I had the opportunity to work with the best, and that certainly shaped my career.”

After those formative years at Lincoln Center, Inteeworn always dreamed of returning to an arts organization that hosted a high-level music festival. “At Lincoln Center, I created an artistic initiative focused on chamber music,” Inteeworn says. “I gave musicians the opportunity to curate their own chamber music programs, and the musicians were so passionate. The atmosphere was electric.”

Inteeworn considers that energy when he curates a music program, and he admits to drawing on his rock music background. “I want to see rock band energy in a classical music performance,” he says. Part of that comes from the connection between performer and audience. To create it, Inteeworn begins programming from the audience’s perspective. “I don’t want to create programs that only look interesting on paper,” he says. “I want to create unique experiences. So I establish my artistic vision and then choose artists who can help me accomplish it.”

Because it takes 18 months to program a season, this summer’s music festival and concerts were already planned before Inteeworn arrived on the scene, but it’s programming he’s excited about. “What’s interesting about Newport Classical is its unique mix in terms of repertoire and instrumentation. There’s a chamber orchestra, opera night, Broadway night, all performed at 11 different venues throughout Newport.” Inteeworn is particularly excited to see violinist Stella Chen, violist Matthew Lipman, and cellist Brannon Cho perform at The Breakers on July 8. “They bring that youthful energy and rockstar mentality,” he says. The next night, also at The Breakers, will be Sandbox Percussion, a group that will feature a new work co-commissioned by Newport Classical.

Also unique to the company are its sunrise performances, where a string quartet performs on the terrace of Rosewood Mansion. “It seems to be a very spiritual experience as you see the sun rising over perfect ocean views,” he said. That sense of place is part of what drew Inteeworn to this company. “Being at Newport Classical is the perfect next step for me,” he said. “I get to work with amazing musicians in unique Newport venues. I’m grateful. It’s like a dream come true.”