The New York Philharmonic hosted its annual Opening Gala and Concert at David Geffen Hall, honoring the many contributions of visionary philanthropists Klara Silverstein and her husband, NY Phil Board Member Larry A. Silverstein. Manfred Honeck led the Orchestra in a program that featured Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture; a suite Honeck created of music from Puccini’s Turandot; as well as selections from Broadway and the popular songbook, sung by Groban, which were announced from the stage. The encore included Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 1 and two additional selections sung by Groban.
Upon arrival, Gala guests were invited to walk the red carpet in the Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby; they then proceeded upstairs to a cocktail reception on the Leon and Norma Hess Grand Promenade, where drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres were served. After the concert, guests returned to the Grand Promenade where tables were set with wedgewood blue tablecloths, silver chairs, and floral arrangements of hydrangeas and orchids. NY Phil Special Advisor Deborah Borda and NY Phil Board Co-Chairmen Oscar L. Tang and Peter W. May gave remarks at dinner and Klara and Larry A. Silverstein — the evening’s honorees — also spoke.
The event was designed by Andrew Pascoe Flowers, Ltd. with lighting design by Andrew Grant, and was catered by CxRA.
In total, the Gala raised over $3.8 million for the Philharmonic and was attended by approximately 600 guests.
Attendees included Deborah Borda (Executive Advisor, New York Philharmonic), Klara Silverstein (honoree), Larry A. Silverstein (honoree and NY Phil Board Member), Manfred Honeck (conductor), Josh Groban (soloist), Oscar L. Tang (Co-Chairman, New York Philharmonic) and HM Agnes Hsu-Tang, Peter W. May (Co-Chairman, New York Philharmonic) and Leni May, Opening Gala Co-Chairs Dr. Kathryn Beal, Karen and Richard LeFrak, Joan and Joel Picket, Susan and Elihu Rose, and Didi and Oscar S. Schafer (Chairman Emeritus, New York Philharmonic). Also in attendance were Jamie and Alex Bernstein and Nina Bernstein Simmons, Kimberly and Neil Bluhm, Maile Carpenter and Wylie Dufresne, k.d. lang, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Whitney and Andrew Mogavero, Margo and James L. Nederlander (NY Phil Board Member), Khady Kamara Nunez, Mariko Silver (President and CEO, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts), Tina and Steve Swartz, Barbara Tober, and Diana Wang.
Image credit: Getty Images for New York Philharmonic
