by Diane Malone
24th Sept 2008

   The Metropolitan Opera opened its 2008–2009 125th anniversary season in grand style on Monday, September 22nd, 2008 despite the surrounding construction that is taking place at Lincoln Center Plaza. So far, in his third year as General Manager, Peter Gelb has presented another star-studded red carpet event kicking off the new season at the famed opera house.

  The Metropolitan Opera had mezzo soprano Susan Graham out on the plaza hosting the live transmission of the opening night to the various movie houses, Times Square and Fordham University. Soprano Diana Damrau joined Susan Graham briefly during the live broadcast. Surprise appearances popped up on the red carpet like Yo-Yo Ma and Helen Mirren. Supermodel Christie Brinkley was delayed in traffic but eventually appeared and dazzled the crowd twirling and posing with her timeless beauty.This years lineup of celebrities included the returning fans of opera such as Barbara Walters and Rufus Wainwright, as well as opera newcomers such as Helen Mirren, Christie Brinkley, Joel Grey, Faye Dunaway, James Taylor, Martha Stewart, John Lithgow, and Taylor Momsen among others.

  The Metropolitan Opera’s opening night program featured its star soprano Renee Fleming performing three acts from three different operas wearing designer fashions from Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, and John Galliano. Renee Fleming skipped the red carpet festivities since she was engaged inside the Metropolitan Opera House promoting the launch of her new cologne from Coty, La Voce.

All Photos: (c) Caroline P. Digonis 2008 

by Diane Malone
24 September 2008 

    The New York City Ballet presents the classic holiday favorite, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, for 45 performances only beginning Friday, November 28, through Saturday, January 3, 2009. The beloved New York City Ballet production is seen by more than 100,000 people annually and last season passed its 2000th performance mark. Held at the New York State Theater (soon to be renamed the David H. Koch Theater) at Lincoln Center the production is set to Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky’s glorious score and features choreography by Balanchine, scenery by Rouben Ter-Arutunian, costumes by Karinska, and lighting by Mark Stanley, after the original design by Ronald Bates. This classic holiday family event will delight all with the sweepingly beautiful set designs, hundreds of elaborate costumes, and includes the highlights of a one-ton Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet and a magnificent onstage snowstorm. 
    Ticket prices range from $35–$125 for prime peak performances, $30–$115 for peak performances, and $20–$100 for standard performances. Visit the New York City Ballet online at www.nycballet.com or call to learn more about Sweet Seat VIP Packages where every two Sweet Seat tickets purchased, audience members will receive a coupon for one complimentary keepsake photo taken with a character from George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Center Charge at 212-721-6500 or by visiting the theater box office located at the New York State Theater. 

Photo: (c) Paul Kolnik 2008

by Chris Hale
15 September 2008

   The annual Richard Tucker Music Foundation Gala is scheduled to take place on October 26, 2008 at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center Plaza. This year, the gala event will have another wonderful selection of Metropolitan Opera voices celebrating with the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. Among the scheduled performers include: Marcello Giordani, Susan Graham, Bryn Terfel, Hei-Kyung Hong, Sondra Radvanovsky, Piotr Beczala, Ruxandra Donose, Zeljko Lucic, Dimitri Pittas, and Lawrence Brownlee. The evening concert will include members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the New York Choral Society under the baton of conductor Patrick Summers. The gala event will also include two special guest stars, Kelli O’Hara and Paulo Szot, from the cast of the popular smash hit musical South Pacific. 
    Several options of ticket prices to the Richard Tucker Music Foundation Gala are available from $25.00 up to $1,000. In addition, tickets to the post-concert gala dinner which is held on the promenade of Avery Fisher Hall are still available. Visit The Richard Tucker Music Foundation for more information or call CenterCharge at 212–721–6500.

by Chris Hale

• Actress Diahann Caroll will be signing copies of her new book, The Legs are The Last To Go, on 10/1/08 (7:30 pm) at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle, New York, NY.
• Rock legend Dion will be signing copies of his new book, Heroes: Giants of Early Guitar Rock, on 10/3/08 (12:00 pm) at J&R Music Store at 23 Park Row (across from City Hall Park), New York, NY.
• Bestselling author Anne Rice will be signing copies of her new book, Called Out Of Darkness, on 10/7/08 (8:00 pm) at Borders Books at Second Avenue at 32nd, New York, NY.
• Sir Richard Branson (Businessman) will be signing copies of his new book, Business Stripped Bare, on 10/10/08 (12:00 pm) at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square, New York, NY. 
• Tony Curtis will be signing copies of his new book, American Prince, on 10/14/08 (7:30 pm) at Barnes & Noble on Broadway, New York, NY.
• Maureen McCormick (from “The Brady Bunch”) will be signing copies of her new book, Here’s the Story, on 10/14/08 (1:00 pm) at Barnes & Noble at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.
• Robert Vaughn (star from “The Man from UNCLE”) will be signing copies of his new book, A Fortunate Life, on 10/15/08 (7:30 pm) at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle, New York, NY.
• Actor George Hamilton will be signing copies of his new book, Don’t Mind If I Do, on 10/16/08 (7:30 pm) at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle, New York, NY.
• Richard Belzer (star from “Homicide”) will be signing copies of his new book, I Am Not a Cop, on 10/21/08 (7:30 pm) at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle, New York, NY.
• Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen (stars of “Full House”) will be signing copies of their new book, Influence, on 10/28/08 (12:30 pm) at Barnes & Noble at Union Square, New York, NY.
• Madeleine Albright,will be signing copies of Memo to the President on 10/29/08 (7:00 pm) at Borders Books on Park Avenue, New York, NY. 

by Lucy Foster
9 September 2008

  The New York Philharmonic will open their 2008–2009 season with Lorin Maazel conducting and Flutist Sir James Galway on September 17th, at Avery Fisher Music Hall. The Gala benefit is 1 hour 45 minutes with a program featuring Roman Carnival Overture (BERLIOZ), Symphony No. 4 (TCHAIKOVSKY), and  Flute Concerto (IBERT). The event is scheduled for 7:30 pm with ticket prices ranging from $69.00–$235.00.
  The New York Philharmonic, for the second year in a row, is offering a free to the general public dress rehearsal of the opening night gala at 9:45 am on September 17th. The free dress rehearsal tickets will be given out one per person at 8:00 am on September 17th at Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza located in front of Avery Fisher Music Hall. In addition, some members of the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass will be on hand celebrating the opening of their season. Visit the New York Philharmonic online for tickets and more information on their upcoming season.

Photo: (c) Caroline P. Digonis 2008