Media Release 18 March 2015

New York Philharmonic Orchestra return to Dublin after 19 years to perform at the National Concert Hall

One of the world’s greatest orchestras, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra make a welcome return to Dublin after 19 years to perform the first concert of their Spring European Tour 2015 at the National Concert Hall (Thursday 16 April 2015, 8pm). They will be led on stage by their esteemed Music Director Alan Gilbert. This will also be Alan Gilbert’s first visit to Dublin.

Joining them will be the enchanting mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato as soloist in Ravel’s Schéhérazade. Her voice has been described as ‘nothing less than 24-carat gold’ (The Irish Times) and as a singer ‘not only of flair and power but of intelligence and taste’ (New Yorker).

Culminating in two great orchestral showpieces by Ravel (Valses nobles et sentimentales) and Richard Strauss (Der Rosenkavalier Suite) the programme for their Dublin concert also includes Nyx by composer/conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen making this a must attend event for Irish orchestral fans.

The New York Philharmonic's two-week Spring European Tour — their eighth international concert tour, the sixth to Europe, under Alan Gilbert’s leadership — will feature twelve orchestral concerts and one contemporary chamber music concert in six countries, of which Dublin is first.

Alan Gilbert (Music Director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra) said:
 “The Philharmonic musicians are astoundingly versatile, allowing us to bring to European audiences everything from Richard Strauss to Esa Pekka Salonen. I look forward to returning to cities we have visited before and to making new musical friends in my first ever performance in Dublin".

Music Director Alan Gilbert began his New York Philharmonic tenure in September 2009, the first native of New York in the post. He and the Philharmonic have introduced the positions of the Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence, The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence and the Artist-in Association; CONTACT!, the new music series and the NY Phil BIENNIAL, an exploration of today’s music by a wide range of contemporary and modern composers inaugurated in Spring 2014.

We are particularly delighted to have mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato (née O’Flaherty), at the National Concert Hall. Winner of the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo, she has gained international prominence in operas by Rossini, Handel, and Mozart and for her wide ranging discography. This season she holds residencies at New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Barbican Centre. She recently completed a recital tour of South America and appeared in concert and recital in Berlin, Vienna, Milan, Toulouse, Mexico City and Aspen as well as at the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Her honours include the Gramophone Artist of the Year and Recital of the year awards, two German Echo Klassik Awards as Female singer of the Year and induction in to the Gramophone Hall of Fame
The National Concert Hall’s International Concert Series 2014/2015 is supported by The Irish Times and continues with performances by Irish pianist John O’Conor (27 April), The Latvian Radio Choir in association with the Latvian Embassy (3 May) and the Ulster Orchestra with Rafael Payare, conductor and Alisa Weilerstein, cello (21 May).

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
ALAN GILBERT, MUSICAL DIRECTOR | JOYCE DIDONATO, MEZZO-SOPRANO AT THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL, 16 APRIL 2015 8PM
PROGRAMME
Esa-Pekka Salonen Nyx
Ravel   Schéhérazade
Ravel   Valses nobles et sentimentales
Strauss  Der Rosenkavalier Suite
Tickets: €100, €115, €130, €145 (Choir Balcony €70)
National Concert Hall Box Office Tel: 01 417 00 00 or www.nch.ie
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For further information please contact: Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 417 0057 / 087 1775334