NEW YORK CITY — Summer has arrived, which means the free concert season has begun.
The New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera are kicking off their free summer concert series this week in all five boroughs.
The New York Philharmonic will celebrate its 175th year by wrapping up its New World Initiative, which features local musicians from all over the city and spotlights their diverse musical styles.
Alan Gilbert will close out his career as the New York Philharmonic music director with this series conducting pieces by Dvorák, Bernstein and Gershwin. After the orchestra’s performances, local musicians and bands will continue the show as a part of the Philharmonic’s Share the Stage program. The outdoor concerts start at 8 p.m. and will end with a firework display by Bay Fireworks.
The indoor Staten Island concert will begin at 3 p.m.
Locations for the NY Philharmonic free concerts in the park:
Tuesday, June 13
Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Directions: Enter the park at Broadway and 251st Street, the stage is located north of the baseball fields
Wednesday, June 14
Great Lawn Central Park, Manhattan
Directions: Enter the park from Central Park West at 81st Street or 86th Street, or from Fifth Avenue at 79th Street or 85th Street
Thursday, June 15
Cunningham Park, Queens
Directions: Enter the park at 193rd Street near 81st Avenue or Union Turnpike; the stage is located at 193rd Street Field
Friday, June 16
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Directions: Enter the park at Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West at Ninth Street, or the Bartel-Pritchard Circle
Sunday, June 18
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Staten Island
The Metropolitan Opera started its free summer recital series on Monday in Central Park and will continue its series with performances by soprano Susanna Phillips, tenor Petr Nekoranec, tenor Stephen Costello and mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong. Audiences will also hear performances from upcoming artists like soprano So Young Park, and Hyung Yun. Dan Saunders will set the tone of each show with his performance on the piano. Each recital starts at 7 p.m.
Locations for the free Met Opera recitals:
Wednesday, June 14
Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 1), Brooklyn
Friday, June 16
Clove Lakes, Staten Island
Saturday, June 17
Crotona Park, Bronx
Friday, June 23
Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan
Saturday, June 24
Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
