Live From Lincoln Center Season 36 Episode 2 New York Philharmonic Opening Night with Deborah Voigt

The New York Philharmonic kicks off its 2017-2018 season with a star-studded Opening Gala concert at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center. The theme of the evening is "The New World Symphony," a nod to Dvořák's epic Ninth Symphony, one of the most beloved works in the orchestral canon. The concert features the acclaimed soprano Deborah Voigt, widely regarded as one of the greatest Wagnerian singers of her generation, who lends her powerful voice to selections from Wagner's epic Ring cycle. Also on the program is the world premiere of a new work by Alan Gilbert, the Philharmonic's outgoing music director, who conducts the orchestra himself for the last time on Opening Night. The program also includes other works evocative of the American landscape, such as Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances" from West Side Story. The concert also features an appearance by actor Alec Baldwin, who provides narration for Aaron Copland's A Lincoln Portrait. The evening promises to be a dazzling showcase of world-class music and artistry, as the New York Philharmonic continues its longstanding tradition of excellence and innovation.