At last we can tell you the most exciting news that the week will include the Metropolitan Opera debut of Vasily Petrenko conducting Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades. First thing to say is that this is a revival of the 1995 production by Elijah Moshinsky and is beautifully costumed and traditional in concept.
Thanksgiving week can sometimes be a bit lackluster in terms of classical music but not this week! On Tuesday evening we will attend Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center for an evening with Czech mezzo Magdalena Kožená accompanied at the piano by her husband Sir Simon Rattle for an evening of Shakespeare-influenced songs by Brahms, Stravinsky, and Strauss, as well as Dvořák’s Gypsy Songs and Ravel’s “Songs of Madagascar.” Kožená is joined in this poetic reverie by a group of distinguished artists.
On Wednesday evening we will spend some time in the company of Canadian pianist Avan Yu (who many of you will remember from his performances at CHET and in Mariánské Lázně) and some of his colleagues at the Manhattan School of Music.
On Thursday evening (Thanksgiving Day) we are finalising arrangements for a special event including food, drinks & entertainment (more details shortly!).
On Friday we take our seats at the iconic Metropolitan Opera House for this evening’s performance of The Queen of Spades when Vasily Petrenko makes his Met Opera debut.
On Saturday evening we head next door to Carnegie Hall for an evening with composer and presenter Tim Janis and his ‘Music of Hope’ organisation. Tonight’s charity event (in aid of Kate Winslet’s Golden Hat Foundation) features full orchestra, a choir of 200 and a host of 21st century Broadway and musical artists.
We will spend three mornings in the company of an excellent local guide getting to know the various districts of New York from Harlem and the Upper West Side through 5th Avenue, Theater District, Little Italy, SoHo, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and Brooklyn. We will walk the ‘Hi Line’ visit the top of the new Freedom Tower in Lower Manhattan and visit the Frick Collection and Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue as well as seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. In your free time you can visit the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art and a host of other wonderful museums & Galleries as well as indulging yourself in the original ‘Black Friday’ sales at Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Lord and Taylor and the like!
We have a Welcome breakfast on our first morning and one other breakfast/brunch included as well as six evening meals (Welcome dinner, Thanksgiving dinner, farewell supper and three pre-concert meals). Airport transfers and three days of sightseeing by motorcoach are included. We plan to walk to the Met & Alice Tully Hall (15 minutes) but in the event of inclement weather Ken will organise taxi transfers.
Our package includes non-stop flights from Manchester to JFK with Virgin.
To recap what’s included:
- Return economy class flights inc baggage and meals with Virgin
- 6 nights 4* hotel on a room only basis (all taxes included)
- Stalls seats for our performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall
- A private evening at the Manhattan School of Music with Avan Yu
- A special Thanksgiving evening with food, drinks and entertainment included
- 3 days of sightseeing by private coach with guide
- 2 further days of sightseeing on foot with Museum & attraction entrance fees as detailed
- 2 breakfast / brunches, welcome dinner, farewell supper, 4 pre-concert meals
- Airport transfers
Holiday costs - The cost of the holiday is £2,795 per person sharing a twin or double room and £3495 for sole use of a king bedded room. If you wish to make your own flight and transfer arrangements please deduct £600.
Brexit turmoil - As we write the Pound is once again in turmoil and who knows what it will be worth in a few days, weeks or even months. The holiday cost is based on a rate of US$1.31/£1 and we will absorb any moves 5 cents either way. The final balance will be due 1st August and we will review the rate situation in late July. As a guide if the £1 weakened to $1.20 then the holiday would cost an additional £110 sharing and £150 sole use; if on the other hand it recovers to £1.40 then the cost of the holiday would reduce by a similar level.
Booking procedure: We have had a great deal of interest in the holiday and have just a few places remaining. If you wish to proceed please call Stacey or Nigel on 0800 678 5747 to hold your place and let us know of any upgrade requirements. Complete your Booking Form and return it to us with your deposit of £1200 plus any upgrade costs.
Met Opera upgrades: Our seats are in your choice of either ‘Orchestra Prime’ or ‘Dress Circle Premium’
Upgrade: ‘Orchestra Premium’ : £80 supplement.
The flight details are as follows:
Monday 25 November Manchester – New York JFK 1300 1530 VS 127
Sunday1st December New York JFK – Manchester 1855 – 0620 (2nd) VS 128
A limited number of upgrades to Premium Economy class are available for £500 return. If you wish to upgrade please call Stacey or Sam on receipt of this letter and they will confirm the seats for you.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call us.
