Summer in New York: Classical & Opera concerts
Tue May 1 2012
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Events and festivals
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Art exhibitions
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Book events and reading series
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Comedy shows and events
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Dance events and performances
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30 summer films you need to see
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Food & Drink events and tastings
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Classical & Opera concerts
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Gay & Lesbian events and parties
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Live music shows
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Theater shows and festivals
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Shopping events and new designer collaborations
Summer in New York 2012
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Photograph: Chris Lee
Alan Gilbert conducts the New York Philharmonic in Central Park
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Photograph: ©Stephanie Berger
Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Pictured: A Crimson Grail for 200 Electric Guitars at Damrosch Park
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String quartet Ethel at Rite of Summer Music Festival on Governors Island
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Photograph: Ron Berard/Metropolitan Opera (c) 2011
The Metropolitan Opera's Summer Recital Series
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Photograph: Christopher London
Naumburg Orchestral Concerts at Naumburg Bandshell
RECOMMENDED: Summer in New York guide
New York Philharmonic: Concerts in the Parks
- Critics choice
- Free
The Phil skipped its popular summer series last season, but the hometown orchestra returns to play five concerts in parks across the city this year: Alan Gilbert and guest maestro Andrey Boreyko lead the players in invigorating fare by Respighi, Tchaikovsky and Brahms, while we revel in the merlot warmth within us and the starry skies above us. Visit nyphil.org for details.
- Various locations
- Wed Jul 11 - Fri Jul 13, Sun Jul 15 - Tue Jul 17 at 8pm
Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival
- Critics choice
- Free
Each summer, the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival blows open the cultural institution’s staid reputation with nightly concerts featuring exotic, danceable and just plain weird musical acts. This year we’re particularly excited about the Aug 2 show, which pairs the New York premiere of avant-jazz trio the Bad Plus’s Stravinsky-inspired On Sacred Ground and the U.S. debut of minimal techno soundsmith Brandt Brauer Frick’s contemporary-music ensemble. Or catch the world premiere of local musical iconoclast Phil Kline’s dreamcitynine the next night (Aug 3). Taking a cue from John Cage’s Indeterminacy, it features 60 percussionists scattered across the plaza. Visit lcoutofdoors.org for more info.
- Lincoln Center, W 62nd St (between Columbus and Amsterdam Aves); Various locations
- Wed Jul 25 - Sun Aug 12; Various times
Rite of Summer Music Festival
- Critics choice
- Free
One of last summer’s breakout hits, this new-music fest from pianists and co-artistic directors Pam Goldberg and Blair McMillen returns for its sophomore season. Spirited performances by the charismatic Ljova and his gypsy chamber group Kontraband (July 7), the jumpin’ JACK Quartet (Aug 4) and electro-fiddler Todd Reynolds (Sept 3) are the perfect complement to a laid-back, sun-soaked day that includes ferry rides, bike tours, ice-cream cones and abandoned military buildings reclaimed as art galleries. riteofsummer.com.
- Governors Island
- Sat Jul 7, Sat Aug 4, Mon Sep 3 at 3pm
The Met's Summer Recital Series
- Critics choice
- Free
The Metropolitan Opera provides a pleasant soundtrack for lazy summer-evening picnics at recitals across the five boroughs. For the serious but thrifty opera buff, we recommend the opening show on July 25 at Central Park SummerStage or the July 27 gig at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, where you’ll get to hear big name stars Danielle de Niese, Dimitri Pittas and Alexander Lewis. The lineup of rising stars for the remaining shows, starring soprano Deanna Breiwick, tenor Lewis and baritone Edward Parks, is excellent as well. Visit metopera.org for details.
- Various locations
- Wed Jul 25 at 8pm; Fri Jul 27, Tue Jul 31, Thu Aug 2, Tue Aug 7, Thu Aug 9 at 7pm
Naumburg Orchestral Concerts
- Critics choice
- Free
One of New York’s oldest musical traditions, the Naumburg series welcomes a pair of top-drawer local chamber orchestras—Orpheus (June 19) and the Knights (July 10, 24)—as well as the popular violinist Lara St. John & Friends in a sultry all-Piazzolla program (Aug 7), for its 107th season. naumburgconcerts.org.
- Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, 72nd St (at Fifth Ave)
- Tue Jun 19, Tue Jul 10, Tue Jul 24, Tue Aug 7 at 7:30pm
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