2025-2026 Concerts
FRI, April 10, 2026 at 6:00 pm
The Gran Centurions, Clark, NJ
NJFO Gala 2026
Music for a Matador: Featuring Highlights from Bizet’s Carmen
Step into the passion and pageantry of Music for a Matador, NJFO’s unforgettable operatic fundraising gala inspired by Bizet’s Carmen. Experience electrifying highlights from Bizet’s iconic score, vividly narrated by Maestro Wroe and brought to life by NJFO musicians and special guest artists.
Savor a beautifully curated dinner, sip, mingle, and bid in exciting live and silent auctions—all while immersed in an evening of drama, romance, and irresistible rhythm. Join us for a celebration of bold storytelling, vibrant artistry, and the transformative power of music in support of NJFO.
Artists
David Wroe Conductor
New Jersey Festival Orchestra Musicians
Lisa Marie Rogali Carmen
Dane Suarez Don Jose
Sara LeMesh Micaela
SeungHyeon Baek Escamillo
SAT, May 9, 2026 at 10:00 am
Westfield, NJ
A Tour of Notable Homes
Step inside Westfield’s most storied homes and celebrate 250 years of American history with A Tour of Notable Homes. In partnership with the Westfield Historic Preservation Commission, this special anniversary edition invites you to explore beautifully preserved residences, each with its own unique charm and character. Enjoy live music, light refreshments, and delightful surprises along the way as you wander at your own pace through this one-of-a-kind community tradition.
Tickets are also available at Baron’s Drug Store:
243 E Broad St, Westfield, NJ
$50 Advance Ticket
$55 Day-of Ticket
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Presented By
Friends of the New Jersey Festival Orchestra
Westfield Historic Preservation Commission
SAT, May 30, 2026 at 7:00 pm
The Presbyterian Church
Westfield, NJ
Sieminski Theater
Basking Ridge, NJ
SUN, May 31, 2026 at 2:30 pm
One Thousand and One Nights
Step into a realm of legend and wonder with The Thousand and One Nights. Slovak Guitarist Karol Samuelčík illuminates Rodrigo’s Fantasía para un gentilhombre, leading into Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade—a richly woven tapestry of sound inspired by the timeless Arabian tales.
Artists
Karol Samuelčík Guitarist
David Wroe Conductor
New Jersey Festival Orchestra
Program
Rodrigo Fantasía para un gentilhombre
Rimski-Korsakov Scheherazade
Guest Artist
Karol Samuelčík
Slovak guitarist Karol Samuelčík has performed across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, appearing as a soloist with top orchestras and in prestigious venues such as London’s Purcell Room and the Shenzhen Concert Hall. A prizewinner of numerous international competitions, he is also an educator at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava. Karol has released three acclaimed CDs and collaborates regularly with leading musicians and ensembles. A frequent participant in international festivals and masterclasses, he is recognized for his research into guitar technique and has published a landmark book in 2022. His appearance is presented in collaboration with the Slovak-American Cultural Center (S-ACC), highlighting his ongoing ties to the global Slovak artistic community.
