New York Philharmonic to Present Concerts In The Parks This Summer

The 2018 New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, will return for the 53rd season with free outdoor concerts, conducted by James Gaffigan, at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (June 12); the Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan (June 13); Cunningham Park, Queens (June 14); and Prospect Park, Brooklyn (June 15). In addition, Musicians from the New York Philharmonic will perform chamber music at the Free Indoor Concert at the Music Hall at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on June 17, 2018. Artists and repertoire for all of the concerts will be announced at a later date. Major corporate support for the 2018 New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks and the Free Indoor Concert has been provided by MetLife Foundation, Citi, and Emirates Airline.

The performances in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will conclude with fireworks. Tickets are free but required for the Free Indoor Concert in Staten Island, which will begin at 3:00 p.m.

The New York Philharmonic's free parks concerts have become an iconic New York summer experience since they began in 1965, transforming parks throughout the New York area into a patchwork of picnickers, and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear classical music under the stars. More than 15 million listeners have been delighted by the performances since their inception.

"As a New Yorker, nothing makes me prouder than this vibrant New York Philharmonic tradition that brings the city together every summer," said New York Philharmonic President and CEO Deborah Borda. "Performing in our beautiful parks is both a highlight of the season and a great way to connect directly with our community. This is only possible through the remarkable generosity of Didi and Oscar Schafer, the two great New Yorkers whose support of this beloved series has been steadfast for more than a decade."

"Didi and I are honored to support the New York Philharmonic's popular tradition of offering free concerts throughout New York City each summer," said New York Philharmonic Chairman Oscar Schafer. "We want all New Yorkers to love the Philharmonic as much as we do, and the Concerts in the Parks are a glorious way to share the Philharmonic's virtuosity and power."

About MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation was created in 1976 to continue MetLife's long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Since its founding through the end of 2017, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $783 million in grants and $70 million in program-related investments to organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities. In 2013, the Foundation committed $200 million to financial inclusion, and our work to date has reached more than 3.5 million low-income individuals in 42 countries. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit metlife.org.

Artists
Hailed for the natural ease of his conducting and the compelling insight of his musicianship, James Gaffigan continues to attract international attention and is one of the most outstanding American conductors working today. Since becoming chief conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Gaffigan has made a significant impact on the orchestra's profile, nationally and internationally, with a number of tours and recordings; in recognition of this success, his contract has been extended until 2022. He is principal guest conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, and has held that same post at the Gürzenich Orchestra, Cologne, a position created for him in 2013. Mr. Gaffigan is in-demand with leading orchestras and opera houses throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia. The 2016-17 season included appearances with the Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Detroit, Sydney, Bournemouth, Netherlands Radio, and BBC symphony orchestras; Oslo, Seoul, and Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestras; and The Cleveland Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre national de France, and Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra. In addition to the New York Philharmonic, upcoming engagements include concerts with and WDR Radio Symphony Orchestra and an Asian tour with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra. Opera engagements include house debuts with Chicago Lyric Opera and Santa Fe Opera. Mr. Gaffigan will also return to the Bavarian Staatsoper and San Francisco Opera, and makes debuts with Dutch National Opera and The Metropolitan Opera. Recent engagements have included guest appearances with the London, Dresden, Munich, Czech, and Rotterdam philharmonic orchestras; Vienna, Gothenburg, Tokyo Metropolitan, City of Birmingham, MDR Leipzig Radio, Berlin Radio, and Stuttgart Radio symphony orchestras; and the Dresden Staatskapelle, Deutsches Symphony Orchestra Berlin, Konzerthaus Berlin, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. He has also worked for San Francisco Opera, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the St. Louis, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Detroit, and National symphony orchestras, and appeared at the Vienna Staatsoper, Glyndebourne Festival, Hamburg Opera, and Opernhaus Zurich. James Gaffigan was a conducting fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and part of the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival. In 2009 he completed a three-year tenure as associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, in a position specially created for him by Michael Tilson Thomas. Prior to that appointment he was assistant conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra, where he worked under music director Franz Welser Möst. He was named first prize winner of the 2004 Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition. James Gaffigan previously appeared with New York Philharmonic leading a March 2007 Young People's Concert and a December 2015 program that included the World Premiere of Andrew Norman's Split, for Piano and Orchestra, performed by Jeffrey Kahane and commissioned by the Philharmonic.

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