Israel Philharmonic Returns to the U.S. with Quartet Performances at Miami Gala
The Philharmonic celebrates its 85th anniversary in the U.S. after the cancellation of 2020-2021 tour due to COVID-19
American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO) announced a series of galas headlined by an Israel Philharmonic string quartet in seven U.S. cities this December, including a Gala in Miami on December 2nd supported by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. The events mark the first international performances after more than a year under lockdown and coincide with the Philharmonic’s return to its home concert hall for its 85th season.
“As the world emerges from a global pandemic—and as our institution returns from the first hiatus in its storied history—we believe that experiencing the music of the Israel Philharmonic in person is a needed force for joy and healing,” said Danielle Ames Spivak, CEO and Executive Vice President of AFIPO. “The Israel Philharmonic was founded during an unprecedented crisis—to save Jewish musicians fleeing the Holocaust. Resiliency is the lifeblood of our orchestra, and we are proud to once again emerge from this period of hardship stronger than ever before.”
The galas will kick off in New York on December 1st with host Bar Refaeli and will honor prominent patrons and friends of the institution, including “Jeweler to the Stars” and philanthropist Lorraine Schwartz (New York), Jewish education revolutionary and philanthropist Harold Grinspoon (Miami), and renowned philanthropists Barbro & Bernard Osher and Varda Rabin (San Francisco).
“We are thrilled to be honoring Harold Grinspoon—not only for his visionary leadership in creating programming that reaches families from all walks of life but also for demonstrating the power of sharing literacy and the arts,” said Ames Spivak. “The Harold Grinspoon Foundation and its flagship program, PJ Library, are vital programming partners that allow us to bring the music of the Israel Philharmonic to our youngest generations.”
The string quartet is comprised of Israel Philharmonic Concertmaster David Radzynski, violinist Polina Yehudin, violist Yoni Gertner, and Principal Cello Haran Meltzer.
“The Philharmonic is Israel’s preeminent cultural ambassador,” said Jim Ackerman, President of the AFIPO Board of Directors. “Bringing a string quartet—one of the most extraordinary and historic chamber music ensembles—to the United States is the premier way to showcase the incredible talent Israel has to offer.”
Click here to learn more about the events in each city, including repertoire, chairs, honorees, and venues.
