On Wednesday, September 27, the New York Philharmonic held its Opening Gala, kicking off a 2023–24 season that is sure to be nothing short of thrilling. David Geffen Hall was decked out for the festive occasion, with a palpable feeling of celebration in the air. The concert, which included masterpieces by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, marked the beginning of Music Director Jaap van Zweden’s farewell season at the NY Phil, and also marked a reunion with Yo-Yo Ma, the acclaimed soloist in Dvořák’s Cello Concerto.
That concert was the centerpiece of the Gala evening, which honored Deborah Borda, the Orchestra’s former President and CEO. Over two stints as the NY Phil’s chief executive — totaling 14 years — Borda revitalized the Orchestra, worked with NY Phil and Lincoln Center leadership to transform David Geffen Hall, and deepened connections with New York City communities. This past June, just before she moved into the role of Executive Advisor to the President and Board of Directors, the NY Phil Board named her an Honorary Member of the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York for her “outstanding service to the organization and the world of music.”
All told, it was a splendid evening for the New York Philharmonic — an occasion to honor its past, revel in its present, and look ahead to its boundless future. Check out some highlights in the slideshow above!
