When planning a new tour we try to find a 'highlight' performance as a 'centerpiece' - this week we have almost one a night! Jonas Kaufmann at the Met, Bryn Terfel with the New York Phil, Mathias Goerne, Leonidas Kavakos and Sir Roger Norrington at Carnegie Hall It's hard to imagine a better week of music & performance!
Join Ken Grundy for a week in the Big Apple staying ‘like a New Yorker’ on the fashionable Upper West Side.
We stay at the excellent Hotel Beacon which has been a favourite with musicians, conductors and Maestro clients for many years. Each ‘studio’ at the hotel has a mini kitchen with fridge, stove and kettle so you can take advantage of the amazing Fairway Market located opposite. The hotel is just 10 blocks (10 minutes walk) from Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera and one stop by express metro from 42nd Street and Times Square.
We fly Aer Lingus from Manchester via Dublin to New York which has a major benefit that you clear US Immigration in Dublin and so arrive in New York as ‘domestic’ passengers. No long waiting in immigration lines – a real bonus. They also have an excellent Business class upgrade offer for anyone interested in taking advantage of that.
On Monday evening we have a Welcome Dinner at Carmines a legendary Upper West Side restaurant and during our stay we have a morning activity each day (tour or visit to a gallery) and most evenings good mid-priced tickets included for each of the performances below (with the option to upgrade to higher priced seats if you wish to - see options below).
Tuesday 4th – Welcome to New York! A morning tour by private coach gives you an introduction to the Upper West Side, Central Park, Harlem and ‘uptown’ area of this great city. Afternoon free and this evening - Zankel Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall – violinist Leonidas Kavakos is joined at the piano by Enrico Pace to perform Beethoven Sonata’s No. 1, 8 & 9 (the Kreutzer)
Wednesday 5th – Today we use the public bus system to cross Central Park and visit the Frick Museum and Fifth Avenue. This evening - Stern Concert Hall at Carnegie Hall – baritone Matthias Goerne is joined by Christoph Eschenbach at the piano for Schubert’s sublime song cycle Die schöne Müllerin. If you prefer you can have a free evening.
Thursday 6th – This morning we have the second part of our private tour of Manhattan covering the midtown and lower Manhattan neighbourhoods of Times Square, Greenwich Village, Soho, Little Italy and Wall Street including a visit to South Street Seaport, beside the Brooklyn Bridge. This evening is free or you can take in an optional evening at Carnegie Hall when the renowned Orchestra of St Lukes and Maestro Sir Roger Norrington are joined by the Oratorio Society of New York and Opera stars Susan Gritton, Michael Schade & Nathan Berg for a performance of Beethoven's Missa solemnis. This performance can be substituted for the 5th or added as an extra.
Friday 7th – This morning we visit the Museum of Modern Arts (MOMA) in the heart of midtown. Afternoon free. This evening Jonas Kaufmann, arguably the finest tenor in the world today, takes the title role in Massenet’s opera of Goethe's revolutionary and tragic romance Werther with French mezzo-sporano Sophie Koch singing the role of Sophie. The Metropolitan Opera boasts a seat back 'titles' system for each person allowing you to choose whether you have a translation or not.
Saturday 8th – This morning is free and this afternoon we have tickets at Avery Fisher Hall home of the New York Philharmonic for a concert performance of Stephen Sonheim’s Sweeney Todd with Bryn Terfel in the title role and Emma Thompson singing Mrs Lovett. New York Phil Music Director Alan Gilbert will conduct what promises to be a memorable performance. This evening we will have our second included dinner.
Sunday 9th – Today is free for you to explore at your own pace – perhaps a walk in Central Park or a matinee on Broadway (most theatres have a Sunday performance at 4pm). You may want to take in the international Flamenco Festival performance at the spectacularly restored City Center NY Theater.
Monday 10th – Our final day in the city with a farewell brunch before we head to the airport mid afternoon for the overnight flight back to Dublin and connection to Manchester (arrive 730am Tuesday 11th).
Performance inclusions and upgrades:
4th March - Kavakos/Pace Carnegie - top price tickets included
5th March - Goerne/Eschenbach Carnegie - Dress circle tickets included. Upgrade to Rear or side stalls £25 Upgrade to centre stalls £35
6th March - St Lukes/Norrington Carnegie - substitute for 5th March or Dress Circle £40, rear/side stalls £65, centre stalls £75
7th March - Met Opera/Kaufmann/Wether - Dress circle or Stalls sides ($150) included. Upgrade to Stalls 'Prime' £65; Stalls 'Premium' £120
8th March - NY Phil/Terfel/Sweeney - 2nd tier centre or Stalls sides ($150) included. Upgrade to Stalls or 1st Tier 'Premium' £30.
The cost of the holiday, flying economy from Manchester, including all transfers, sightseeing, performances and entrances as detailed above; seven nights room only at the Hotel Beacon, two dinners with wines and one brunch, based on sharing a twin or double room is £1975 per person. A double for sole use is £2375 per person. Upgrade to Business class (Dublin – New York – Dublin) £1200 round trip (or £600 one way).
