The New York Philharmonic capped off its monthlong HOME festival in style at the end of October, inaugurating the completely transformed David Geffen Hall with activities presented in collaboration with Lincoln Center: two Opening Galas, plus Open House Weekend, which offered wide-ranging activities so the public could discover New York’s new home for music.
The first Gala, The Journey, brought together stars of stage and screen to perform alongside the Orchestra to celebrate David Geffen Hall’s decades-long journey to completion. The soloists included Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sara Bareilles, Brandon Victor Dixon, Renée Fleming, Joaquina Kalukango, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bernadette Peters, and Vanessa Williams.
The second, The Joy, spoke to the spirit of unity and hope, with Music Director Jaap van Zweden conducting the World Premiere of Angélica Negrón’s You Are the Prelude, commissioned by the Philharmonic for the occasion, and Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony, with the New York Philharmonic Chorus uplifting the audience with the iconic “Ode to Joy” finale.
Open House Weekend invited audiences of all ages to explore everything the new hall has to offer with a variety of family-friendly activities — completely free. All told, some 15,000 people dropped by over the course of the weekend.
Check out some of the highlights above, and be sure to stop by David Geffen Hall to see it all for yourself as our 2022–23 season continues!
