Roger and Patricia Silverstein, photos by Lieba Nesis
On Tuesday, September 24, the New York Philharmonic held its annual Gala at David Geffen Hall. Cocktails were served at 6 PM, and the performance was at 7 PM. Philanthropists Klara and Larry Silverstein, longtime orchestra friends, were honored for their lifelong devotion to classical music during their 67-year marriage.
Jon Marder, Barbara Tober, Larissa Saveliev and William Ivey Long
Co-chairs Karen and Richard Lefrak, Joan and Joel Picket, and Didi and Oscar Schafer, along with a distinguished guest list, made this a truly one-of-a-kind evening. Grammy, Emmy, and Tony award winner Cynthia Erivo was scheduled to join conductor Manfred Honeck, but she was an unfortunate no-show.
Josh Groban
However, the equally talented vocalist Josh Groban stepped in and captivated the audience with his renditions of ‘The Impossible Dream’ and ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow.’
Alec & Hilaria Baldwin
The Gala opening featured conductor Manfred Honeck leading the “Overture to Light Cavalry” by Franz von Suppe, a piece that has been a favorite of the New York Philharmonic since the turn of the 20th century. This overture from Suppe’s 1866 operetta is lively and spirited, setting the tone for the evening’s performance.
Somers Farkas & Margo Nederlander
This piece is from Suppe’s 1866 operetta involving romantic entanglements and mistaken identities. Its jaunty gallop has become a go-to in movies, television programs, and cartoons. Guest conductor Honeck has entered the 17th season as music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Born in Austria, he has established himself as one of the world’s best with revelatory interpretations that have earned him international acclaim.
R Couri Hay & Larissa Saveliev
The concluding piece, Puccini’s “Turandot Suite,” was the highlight of the evening. The notable achievement of the recently completed Geffen Hall (2022) is its marvelous acoustics. These acoustics, a result of the hall’s innovative design and state-of-the-art sound technology, allow those in the back to hear virtually identically to those up front.
Click the picture above to make a free RSVP to attend the book report.
As Puccini’s last opera, the piece’s clarity electrified the crowd. Set in China, the story follows Princess Turandot, whose reluctance to marry results in death for most of her suitors until she succumbs to the charms of Prince Calaf.
Noel Lateef & Daisy Soros
The purely instrumental suite created by Honeck was sheer delight, as the up-and-down crescendos produced a spellbinding dramatic climax. After a one-hour and a quarter performance, sans intermission, guests stayed on the second floor of Geffen Hall for an elaborate dinner.
Dinner time
The dinner, catered by a renowned chef, featured a variety of gourmet dishes and fine wines, providing a perfect end to a spectacular evening of music and culture. The cultural extravaganza season is just starting, as New York remains the epicenter of artistic revelry.
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All so individually creative and entertaining! Marilyn, I want your skirt!
Fashion changes with the times, and ways to present it must change creatively too.
Let his name live on for what HE designed so he can rest in peace.
Marilyn! What a wonderful and informative article you have written. I so loved Bendels, although (in my opinion) it was…
Merci beaucoup for the article!
Thank you for featuring me and my designs in your article! What a lovely event and how many gorgeous ensembles!
How interesting! Bendel’s was always a favorite store of mine. Miss those days…Thanks for another great article.
Irene and Matt are so authentic! Love that they still do the live formats where we can ask questions or…