Bryant Park and Bank of America to Present Classical Music Series, 'New York Now in Bryant Park'

Bryant Park Corporation announces the inaugural season of a series of early fall classical music concerts featuring musicians from the New York Philharmonic, New York City Opera, Orchestra of St. Luke's, the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, and The New York Pops. Entitled Bank of America presents New York Now in Bryant Park, the series runs for three weeks, from September 23 through October 8, kicking off with musicians from the New York Philharmonic, featuring Principal Clarinet Stanley Drucker.

Bank of America presents New York Now in Bryant Park is a first for New York City, as it brings together five of the world's most celebrated classical music institutions for eight free concerts to highlight their 2008-2009 seasons.  Each evening, for up to ninety minutes, one of these five extraordinary organizations brings some of its most accomplished artists to Bryant Park to share what's in store for the coming season.

Following the success of such long-running programs as the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival and Broadway in Bryant Park, Bank of America presents New York Now in Bryant Park invites New Yorkers to once again indulge themselves - and their senses - under the stars in the heart of Midtown.  Here, they will experience the emotion, passion and genius of Mozart, Puccini, Bernstein, Sondheim and others as brought to life by many of the finest classical performers in the world.

"All of us at Bryant Park are immensely proud to be able to offer a complimentary 'taste' of the upcoming seasons for these five legendary organizations", said Dan Biederman, president of Bryant Park Corporation.  "Whether you're a devout lover of the symphony or opera, or simply someone who appreciates all that New York has to offer, any one these concerts will quickly remind you just how powerful and transcendent classical music can be."

Concerts begin at 5:30 p.m., except on September 23 when the special launch event, featuring musicians from the New York Philharmonic, begins at 5:00 p.m., on a stage located on Bryant Park's Upper Terrace, complete with concert-style seating for hundreds and room for thousands more.  Well-known personalities in classical music will host each concert.

Along with the generous support of Bryant Park neighbors Brookfield Properties and HBO, and media support from 96.3FM WQXR, CBS Outdoor and New York Magazine, Bank of America presents New York Now in Bryant Park is made possible by presenting sponsor Bank of America. The company is currently constructing its new, environmental-friendly headquarters for New York City operations directly across from Bryant Park.

For a complete up-to-date listing of Bank of America presents New York Now in Bryant Park, visit www.bryantpark.org/calendar/nynow.php.

The Bank of America presents New York Now in Bryant Park schedule is as follows:

 Tuesday, September 23            5:00 p.m.          New York Philharmonic
 Musical Cornerstones

Musicians from the New York Philharmonic, America's oldest symphony orchestra, preview two programs from its upcoming season at Avery Fisher Hall. First, a performance of Mozart's lyrical Clarinet Quintet, which will be performed in April 2009, features the legendary Principal Clarinet Stanley Drucker, who was appointed Principal by Leonard Bernstein in 1960 and this season celebrates his 60th and final season with the Philharmonic.  Also presented is Dvorak's American Quartet, a work that illustrates the American influence on the Czech composer while he visited the United States, and when he also composed the famous Symphony No. 9, From the New World, premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1893, and to be performed this October.

Hosted by Matias Tarnopolsky, Artistic Administrator of the New York Philharmonic.

 Wednesday, September 24             5:30 p.m.       New York City Opera
 Love American Style

Romance, desire, longing and true love!  New York City Opera, acclaimed for its pioneering role in creating an American operatic repertory, presents selections from the operas Susannah, The Old Maid and the Thief, Vanessa, and Madama Butterfly; the operettas Candide, Naughty Marietta, The Student Prince, and The Pirates of Penzance; and musical theater favorites Knickerbocker Holiday, South Pacific, A Little Night Music, and Brigadoon.  Performed by gifted young City Opera artists - sopranos Inna Dukach and Lielle Berman, mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson, tenors Raul Melo and Andrew Drost, and bass-baritone Matthew Burns, and accompanied by pianist William Barto Jones.

 Hosted by Cori Ellison, Dramaturg of the New York City Opera.

 Thursday, September 25          5:30 p.m.          Orchestra of St. Luke's
 Clash Tango

Virtuoso musicians from the Grammy award-winning Orchestra of St. Luke's present highlights from the upcoming St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble season at The Morgan Library & Museum, Brooklyn Museum and Dia:Beacon.  The melodious and intricate music of two Argentine composers is featured: Astor Piazzolla's La Muerte del Angel and Osvaldo Golijov's Lullaby and Doina, both written for flute, clarinet, string quartet and double bass.  Also on the program: Johannes Brahms' Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in b minor, Op. 115.

 Hosted by Jeff Spurgeon, Weekday Morning Host on 96.3FM, WQXR.

 The Metropolitan Opera

Tuesday, September 30       5:30 p.m.      Lindemann Young Artist Development Program

Young Artists from the Met

Arias, duets and trios are presented by singers from the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.  Highlights include selections from operas featured in the upcoming Met season, including works by Verdi, Tosti, Donizetti, Puccini, and Mozart, as well as gems from the American songbook. Performed by tenor Matthew Plenk, soprano Grazia Doronzio, and baritone Edward Parks, and accompanied by pianist In Sun Suh.

 Hosted by Margaret Juntwait, Radio Host of the Metropolitan Opera.

 Wednesday, October 1 - 5:30 p.m. -New York City Opera
 Faraway Places

Journey throughout the world with music.  New York City Opera, acclaimed for its pioneering role in creating an American operatic repertory, presents selections from the operas The Pearl Fishers, Trouble in Tahiti, Vanessa, Tosca, and Regina; operettas Candide, The Student Prince and Naughty Marietta; and musicals Kismet, Paint Your Wagon, Cinderella, and Lost in the Stars.  Performed by gifted young City Opera artists - soprano Lielle Berman, mezzo-sopranos Heather Johnson and Cherry Duke, baritone Michael Chioldi, and bass-baritone Matthew Burns, and accompanied by pianist Liora Maurer.

 Hosted by Cori Ellison, Dramaturg of the New York City Opera.

 Thursday, October 2 - 5:30 p.m- The New York Pops
 The Bernstein Songbook

Special guest artists join members of The New York Pops, the country's largest symphonic orchestra specializing in popular American music, to present some of Leonard Bernstein's best-loved songs.  The program is a preview of The New York Pops' Carnegie Hall concert during the Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds city-wide festival commemorating the 90th anniversary of Bernstein's birth.  Music from West Side Story, On the Town, Wonderful Town, and more is performed by pianist and host, Constantine Kitsopolous, soprano Christiane Noll, tenor Martin Sola, Broadway's Lillias White, and violinist Sara Caswell.

 Hosted by Midge Woolsey, Evening Host on 96.3FM, WQXR.

 Monday, October 6 - 5:30 p.m.- New York City Opera
 Variations on America

Explore the soul of America.  New York City Opera, acclaimed for its pioneering role in creating an American operatic repertory, presents selections from the operas Madama Butterfly, Regina, The Tender Land, The Ballad of Baby Doe, and Margaret Garner; operetta Naughty Marietta; and musicals Street Scene, Show Boat, Great Day, and The Most Happy Fella.  Performed by gifted young City Opera artists - soprano Lielle Berman, mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann, tenor Andrew Drost, baritone Michael Chioldi, and bass Eric Jordan, and accompanied by pianist Steven Mosteller.

 Hosted by Cori Ellison, Dramaturg of the New York City Opera.

 The Metropolitan Opera

Wednesday, October 8- 5:30 p.m.- Lindemann Young Artist Development Program

Young Artists from the Met

Arias, duets and trios are presented by singers from the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. Highlights include selections from operas featured in the upcoming Met season, including works by Verdi, Donizetti, Puccini and Mozart, and gems from the American songbook. Performed by bass-baritone  Donovan Singletary, soprano Joyce El-Khoury, and mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson, and accompanied by pianist Benedicte Jourdois.

Hosted by Margaret Juntwait, Radio Host of the Metropolitan Opera.

Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), a private not-for-profit company, was founded in 1980 to renovate, finance and operate Bryant Park in New York City. BPC is funded by income from events, concessions and corporate sponsors, as well as an assessment on neighboring properties, and does not accept government or philanthropic monies.  In addition to providing security and sanitation services, and tending the park's lush lawn and seasonal garden displays, BPC provides public amenities and activities, including movable chairs and tables, cafe umbrellas, restaurants, food kiosks, world-class restrooms, and a wide range of free events throughout the year.  The Midtown park, conveniently located at 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, is visited by over 5 million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world.  BPC's website, www.bryantpark.org, is available for more detailed information and a schedule of upcoming