Newport Baroque

Newport Daily News, November 2008

Saturday, November 8, 2008 12:54 AM EST
They make music and make ends meet
By James J. Gillis
Daily News staff

NEWPORT — With arts groups and local festivals struggling in tough economic times,
at least one is succeeding. Newport Baroque, formerly the Newport Baroque Orchestra, has shifted from full-scale orchestral productions more to chamber music. The group planned the change for artistic reasons as much as economic, director Paul Cienniwa said.

“With a smaller group, we can be more flexible in our programs,” he said. “We’re not restricted to just the large productions. And we decided this before the economy went bad, but it will help economically, too. We can perform in some of the smaller venues in Newport, like the Redwood (Library) for example.”

Cienniwa said Newport Baroque relies on donations from patrons as well as grants. But the group did not seek a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts this year because its bills are paid, he said.

“I’m not trying to sound boastful by any means,” he said. “But I realize that so many other arts groups are suffering and the state has so little money available.”

Newport Baroque’s last performance filled 60 of 80 seats and Cienniwa already has booked a 2009-10 season. “The support we receive is
the reason we can continue to do what we do,” he said.

Founded in 2003, nonprofit Newport Baroque will hold five Newport concerts, including one tonight at Emmanuel Church, during its 2008-09 season. It started asking patrons for donations in 2007, having relied mostly on
grants and ticket sales before that. “We’ve never really gotten the well-heeled crowd,” Cienniwa said. “But the people who come to the concerts and support us have been very generous. And our board has helped a lot, doing things behind the scenes in so many ways. This is our first real fundraising
drive so it’s hard to compare how we’re doing to other years.”

The group plans a large-scale opera in April. But Cienniwa said smaller concerts will comprise most of the schedule. “It allows us to do a variety of different kinds of music,” he said.

Cienniwa said he believes a variety of artistic and entertainment events make Newport a better community. “We’re happy with how things are going for us,” he said. “But we have the philosophy that a rising tide raises all boats.”

11/8/2008 The Newport Daily News