 Baritone Thomas Quasthoff made his American debut at the OBF in 1995 and has returned several times since.Recent appearances have also been made by Midori, Sarah Chang, the Kronos Quartet, The Five Browns, and a variety of other classical stars.The festival also hosts "cross-over" or popular acts like Garrison Keillor, Savion Glover and Pink Martini..

Royce Saltzman retired in 2006 and was replaced as Executive Director by John Evans, a former BBC producer and published Benjamin Britten scholar.