OUR HISTORY
The Beginnings of Musical Masterworks
In 1990, Jamie and Alden Murphy left the bustling NYC arts scene for the tranquility of Lyme, CT. But their passion for performing remained strong. Within months of settling in, they gathered local talent and colleagues from the Blue Hill Troupe for a sold-out production of The Mikado. That was just the start.
Encouraged by this success, Jamie, Alden, and local friends John Hargraves and David Dangremond, set their sights on creating a concert series featuring renowned artists they had worked with. What began as a few performances soon blossomed into a premier classical music series in Southeastern Connecticut, with world-class musicians like Charles Wadsworth, Beverly Hoch, and the Sine Nomine Singers gracing the stage.
A Turning Point
The late Charles Wadsworth—Director of Chamber Music at Spoleto Festivals and a legend in the chamber music world—joined as Artistic Director in 1991 and gave the series a major boost. What started as three concerts a year grew to five by 1997, and by 1999, ten concerts were held annually. Top-tier artists like Carter Brey, David Shifrin, and the Borromeo String Quartet performed at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, where the perfect acoustics created unforgettable musical experiences.
Expanding Horizons
As the series flourished, Musical Masterworks launched its Outreach Program, bringing interactive classical music presentations to local schools. Since 1994, over 35,000 students in New London County have experienced the joy of live classical music. This initiative has since grown into our Community Engagement Program, which now includes free community concerts and a three-week residency program. These residencies provide musical mentoring and special projects to schools and organizations that might not have the resources to create such programs on their own.
Leadership Transitions
When the late Charles Wadsworth retired in 2009 (click here for his Memoriam), cellist Edwards Arron took the helm as Artistic Director. For 15 years, Ed brought fresh energy to the series, introducing a new generation of musicians and expanding the repertoire to include contemporary works, alongside beloved classics. In 2022, Ed passed the baton to acclaimed violinist Tessa Lark, who continues to lead Musical Masterworks into exciting new directions.
With Tessa’s vibrant leadership, Musical Masterworks remains a cherished institution, delighting audiences with innovative programming and unforgettable performances in the heart of Old Lyme.
Our Program Covers Through the Years
While we have presented the finest in chamber music from our stage over the years, we have also been honored to have some of the nation’s leading designers create the distinctive graphics of our program covers.
PROGRAMS 1, 2: ROBERT APPLETON; PROGRAMS 3, 4, 5: PETER GOOD OF CUMMINGS & GOOD; PROGRAMS 6, 7, 8: CHRISTOPHER PASSEHL GRAPHIC DESIGN; PROGRAMS 9-28 BY PETER GOOD OF CUMMINGS & GOOD; PROGRAMS 29 -32 BY RITZ HENTON DESIGN
