Opening Gala with Cécile McLorin Salvant
About This Event
At David Geffen Hall the New York Philharmonic's Opening Gala pairs conductor Anthony Parnther with guest vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. Parnther, who works across classical and contemporary repertoire, leads the orchestra while Salvant — a three-time Grammy winner with eight albums, including 2025's Oh Snap — presents her jazz-informed vocal artistry in a symphonic setting.
About Being Alive(song)
“Being Alive,” written by Stephen Sondheim for *Company*, arrives as the show’s late turning point, when its central figure stops treating solitude as a philosophy and admits the risks of attachment. The song is closely tied to New York’s theater history: *Company* premiered on Broadway in 1970, and this number has since entered the city’s shared repertoire of modern musical writing. At David Geffen Hall, it is heard in a classical concert frame with the New York Philharmonic, conductor Anthony Parnther, and vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. Its plainspoken structure makes its emotional argument hard to evade.
About the Artists
New York Philharmonic
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of the New York Philharmonic, one of the world's most prestigious classical music ensembles. With its home at the iconic David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, this orchestra serves as a cornerstone of New York City's vibrant cultural landscape.
Anthony Parnther
Anthony Parnther is an American conductor who has worked with various orchestras and ensembles, specializing in classical music and contemporary works.
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Cécile McLorin Salvant is a French-American jazz vocalist. Salvant is one of the most highly regarded jazz vocalists of her generation, often winning DownBeat annual critics polls. She has released eight albums since 2010, six of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards.