Music

Opening Night

Alan Gilbert to launch the New York Philharmonic’s 169th season

by Josh Kurp   |   Aug 11, 2010

Opening Night

Alan Gilbert, Music Director (Photo: Chris Lee)

| | More

Music Director Alan Gilbert will launch the New York Philharmonic’s 169th season on September 22 at 7:30 p.m., it was announced earlier today. Gilbert, who has held that role since last September, will conduct the orchestra’s Opening Night Gala at Avery Fisher Hall, featuring the U.S. premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Symphony No. 3, Swing Symphony. It will be performed by both the New York Philharmonic and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

According to Gilbert, “Wynton is a genius, an amazing musician on every level, and I think it’s particularly appropriate that we’re doing this collaboration between two constituent groups of Lincoln Center.”

Also on the performance schedule are R. Strauss’s Don Juan and Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber.

Some other interesting Opening Night happenings:

  • 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin will host PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center, broadcast nationally on a tape-delay at 9 p.m.
  • Classical 105.9 FM WQXR will simulcast the broadcast, also available on their website.
  • The New York Philharmonic is once again offering free admission to Dress Rehearsal that day at 9:45 a.m. Gilbert will be preparing the Orchestra for the concert later that evening. General admission tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8 a.m. in Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza.
  • It wouldn’t be an opening night at Avery Fisher Hall without an Opening Night Gala. The pre-concert reception will be held from 6-7 p.m., followed by the concert and dinner immediately the performance.

Tickets for Opening Night cost between $73-$249 and can be purchased online here or by calling 212-875-5656.