Leif Ove Andsnes and the NY Philharmonic – Janaury 17, 18, 19, 2008

Ticket holders for the three-day run of Leif Ove Andsnes and the NY Phil and their joyful presentation of Brahms Concerto No.2 in B-flat major for Piano and Orchestra, Op.83, are in for a treat. This wonderful composition of Brahms is lovingly played and a joy for the orchestra and the audience.  Andsnes’ talents are outstanding and well matched by the NY Phil, no surprise thanks in part to Riccardo Muti conducting. Delightful as Andsnes playing is, one of the greatest moments comes in  Andante movement when the orchestra drifts away ethereally.

It is a magical thing, when people come together and make more than the sum of their parts. We are spoiled here in NY because aside from the tremendous talent of the NY Phil  whom one can see so often,  are the regular visits of magical performers from all over the world.  And even so, with all this outstanding talent here in town – this performance is not to be missed.

January 17, 18 & 19, 2008.
Avery Fisher Hall
Lincoln Center

Free Music Concerts and Summer Theater in New York, 2007

The list of things that money can’t buy, like the happiness of playing ball with your best friend, grows in the summer in New York provided you have patience, suntan lotion, and good reading material. Free concerts and summer theatre abound if you are willing to set out early to stake a claim for a spot.

THEATRE
For theatre, the highlight of the summer is Shakespeare in the Park, a program from the Public Theatre offering Romeo and Juliet, June 5 – July 8, 2007 and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, August 7 – September 9, 2007.

Tickets are distributed free starting at 1:00 pm on the day of the performance, though the line starts forming at 1:00 am the night before.

If you are short on time and with a little green, The Public Theatre offers $25 orchestra seats.

CLASSICAL MUSIC
For classical music lovers, Lincoln Center offers Lincoln Center Out of Doors,
more than 100 free performances from August 3rd to August 27th.

If you don’t want to spend the day standing in line, you can buy wonderfully affordable tickets to the Mostly Mozart festival at Lincoln Center, which for 2007 is basically Beethoven. Highlights look to be Mark Morris from August 15th – 18th and Christian Tetzlaff, August 10th and 11th.

OPERA
Join the Metropolitan Opera in Central Park for complimentary performances of La Boheme on June 12th and Faust on June 13th, at 8:00pm.

DANCE
Midsummer Night Swing offers great music, dancing and dance lessons under the stars in the Plaza of Lincoln Center on select nights from June 19th to July 21rd. $78 for a six night pass, $225 for the season – per couple.