The Newport Historical Society is presenting this lecture featuring Dr. Mark Stickney, founder of Historic Music of Newport.

Newport’s theatres have long been exciting places of creativity and unforgettable music. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these venues welcomed performers from near and far, making Newport a lively stop for musicians from all over the world. They were also a place where Newporters could share their musical gifts.

Dr Stickney brings the stories of these theatres to life. Explore the music and musicians of the Bijou Theatre (opened in 1908) and the Colonial Theatre (opened in 1911), both long gone. These two theaters played an essential role in the city’s cultural past. The Opera House (opened in 1867) was the central hub of music and theater and for generations hosted professional ensembles and local productions. The Casino Theatre (opened in 1880) is still active today but was originally a gathering place where Newport’s elite could enjoy live music.

Along the way, Dr. Stickney highlights both the renowned musicians who traveled to Newport to perform and the local professional and amateur performers who filled the stages season after season. Musical selections from the era will help recreate the sounds audiences once heard, offering a vivid sense of what it was like when Newport’s theatres stood at the heart of the city’s entertainment scene.

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