FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2012 Contact: Eric Latzky (212) 875-5700
NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC TO OFFER FREE CONCERT TICKETS TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE SANDY AND RELIEF WORKERS DECEMBER 13–20
PHILHARMONIC TO ENCOURAGE CONTRIBUTION TO RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS AT CONCERTS THROUGHOUT DECEMBER
To bolster the spirits of those dealing with the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, the New York Philharmonic will provide free tickets to five concerts in Avery Fisher Hall taking place December 13–20 to those affected by the storm and relief workers. The tickets will be distributed, based on availability, through the offices of the Borough Presidents in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
The Philharmonic is also encouraging audience members to contribute through the following relief organizations: the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, the Brooklyn Recovery Fund, and Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Contact information for these organizations will be made available in concert programs throughout December, and musicians from the Orchestra will speak from the stage prior to each concert taking place in December to encourage audience members to contribute.
The concerts at which free tickets will be offered include a program conducted by Daniel Harding featuring Sibelius’s Symphonies Nos. 3 and 7 and Schumann’s Piano Concerto, with Jan Lisiecki in his Philharmonic debut, on Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m., and the first three performances of Handel’s Messiah, an annual Philharmonic holiday tradition, on Tuesday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit nyphil.org/sandy.
“The musicians of the New York Philharmonic feel a strong need to do something for those suffering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy,” said violinist Fiona Simon, Chairperson of the Orchestra Committee. “We hope that in sharing our music we can help lift people’s spirits during this difficult time.”
“Music can provide solace in times of hardship,” said Matthew VanBesien, Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic. “The Philharmonic wants to reach out to our community to give
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Hurricane Sandy Support / 2 those affected by the storm a reprieve from the destruction that surrounds them, and a way to remember that there is beauty in the world that transcends these difficult times.”
Music Director Alan Gilbert added: “The Philharmonic is New York’s Orchestra, and when our city is hurting we want to help in the ways we can. I hope that this gift of music offers comfort and inspiration to those whose lives have been disrupted, and for those who have worked hard to help people in need.”
“When I heard the New York Philharmonic would be providing residents affected by Hurricane Sandy with free tickets to concerts at Avery Fisher Hall, it was music to my ears,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “This gesture is one of many in a growing ‘crescendo’ of generosity, and I encourage New Yorkers to follow up the Philharmonic’s lead with a charitable ‘encore’ by donating to the Brooklyn Recovery Fund. It has never been more appropriate to say ‘bravo’ to the musicians of the New York Philharmonic, Music Director Alan Gilbert, and Executive Director Matthew VanBesien, and all of Brooklyn applauds them for showing us all the true healing power of music.”
Information about how to give can be found here:
Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City www.nyc.gov/fund
Brooklyn Recovery Fund www.brooklyncommunityfoundation.org
Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation www.tunneltotowersfoundation.org
* * * Credit Suisse is the Global Sponsor of the New York Philharmonic.
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