From international music legends to local stars, the early July performance schedule at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor offers up something for almost everyone, including free performances and a first appearance by the U.K’s famed Richard Thompson.

July kicks off with a performance by renowned multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon on Friday,  July 1. With more than 30 albums released and awards for songwriting amassed over the decades, McCutcheon is considered a statesmen and activist in the folk music world, but today is influenced by heartland rock-ballads more than the pure folk of his early career.  He is considered one of the world’s masters of the hammered dulcimer.This is an evening for all ages. Advance tickets $20.

The Fourth of July weekend continues with a celebration of the music of the young, Grammy-nominated Seth Glier on Saturday, July 2. Singer-songwriter Glier performs on piano and guitar, accompanied by Joe Nerney on saxophone. According to Opera House Director Cathy Sherrill, “His 2016 at the Opera House continues to be one of the most talked about concerts of the past decade.” Advance discounted tickets are $17.

The midcoast’s Breaker’s Jazz Band arrives in Boothbay Harbor on Wednesday, July 6 for a free community performance. From Ellington to Goodman, this is a night of danceable music from jazz greats. There is no admission fee, but the band asks that audience members please make a donation to the Opera House on the night of the concert. Donations will be directed to assist with the continuing restoration of the historic Opera House.

Every summer Maine humorist Tim Sample returns to his hometown to share a night of laughter and stories well-told Thursday, July 7.  Tim’s brand of humor became known nationally when he was a regular contributor to CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt. Author, story-teller, musician, neighbor – this is an evening of Maine stories at their best.  Advance discount tickets $20. This evening of fun is generously sponsored by The First National Bank.

Singer-songwriter, Grammy-nominated, internationally acclaimed folk rock musician Richard Thompson travels from the U.K. to Boothbay Harbor Friday, July 8. Called "The finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix,” by the Los Angeles Times and named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the Top 20 Guitarists of All Time, Richard Thompson is also one of the world’s most critically acclaimed and prolific songwriters. He has received Lifetime Achievement Awards for Songwriting on both sides of the Atlantic - from the Americana Music Association in Nashville to Britain’s BBC Awards as well as the prestigious Ivor Novello.

In 2011, Thompson received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) personally bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. In the USA Thompson has been nominated at the Americanas for both “Artist of the Year” and “Song of the Year. Having co-founded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention as a teenager in the ’60s, Richard Thompson and his mates virtually invented British Folk Rock.

Advance purchase tickets are still available at $35. If tickets are available on the day of the performance they are $40. This special evening is made possible thanks to generous support from the Muir Family.

Bringing a program of Bach, Brahms and Shostakovich, the world renowned Vienna Piano Trio comes to the Opera House on Wednesday, July 13. The Vienna Piano Trio was one of the most noted ensembles of its type to emerge in the last decade of the 20th century. Individually and as a group, they intensively studied chamber music interpretation with such great chamber performers as Issac Stern, Jaime Laredo, Ralph Kirschbaum, and the members of the Guarnieri and LaSalle quartets. The group made debut appearances in 1989 and since then the Vienna Piano Trio has won numerous international competition prizes.The trio is particularly successful in repertory by composers closely associated with Austria, including Brahms, Schubert, Haydn and Dvorak. The Trio’s playing exhibits the traditional Viennese sentimentality and is alert to the nuances of the folk music traditions that appear in the works of all these composers.  Advance purchase tickets are $25.

All early July performances are at 7:30 p.m., with doors for seating opening at 7. Tickets are available through the Opera House box office at 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor or by calling 207-633-5159. Tickets are also available online at www.boothbayoperahouse.com until 24 hours prior to the performance.