Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra 2018 Gala
The Budapest Festival Orchestra (BFO) held its annual Friends of the Budapest annual concert and gala on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall.
The BFO, under the direction of Iván Fischer, played to a sold-out audience that included Edie Falco and Twyla Tharp. The program opened with Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 played on period instruments---Maestro Fischer wife, Gabriella Pivon, among the performers. The evening’s soloist, pianist Dénes Várjon, received standing ovations, as did the whole Orchestra. In a fitting ending, Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No.2 closed out the concert. The beautiful music, which was sensitively conducted and exquisitely performed, was one of the best renditions I have ever heard. I had goosebumps throughout the whole performance.
Following the concert, Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra hosted a gala dinner with Daisy Soros presiding as the evening’s honorary chair and Kathryn Livingston Forgan, Christine Schott Ledes, and Kati Marton as the evening’s gala co-chairs. The dinner took place at the Grand Promenade just outside the entrance to the orchestra. Each table consisted of a member of the symphony to mingle with the patrons. Dinner guests included Tony Bechara, Ambassador and Mrs. Donald Blinken, Nancy Brinker, Noreen Buckfire, Susan Gutfreund, Sylvia Hemingway, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lehrer, Governor and Mrs. George Pataki, Sana Sabbagh, Jean Sharfiroff, Stephanie Stokes, and Barbara and Donald Tober.
The 2018 gala committee included Susan Bender, Stephen E. and Radka Benko, Nicolette Pathy Bingham, Ambassador and Mrs. Donald Blinken, Ildiko Butler, Aaron Feinstein, Sylvia Hemingway, Ambassador and Mrs. Andrew Jacovides, Caron and Geoffrey Johnson, Andrew and Heidi Lee-Komaromi, Ambassador Ferenc Kumin, Doctors John and Daisy Merey, Mrs. Terez Rowley, Aniko Gaal Schott, Laine Siklos, Stephanie Stokes, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Tobey, and Sylvia Tóth.
Maestro Fisher used the occasion to announce the inaugural Vicenza Opera Festival and a performance of Verdi’s Fallstaff, concerts, and a dinner hosted by Countess Caroline Valmarina and her family. Like the concert, the October Festival will soon be completely sold out.
A special thanks to Laine Siklos, who was the most gracious table guest. Laine, who is on the committee, kept me entertained throughout the night. She was able to hold a conversation with anyone, and her presence exuded confidence and commanded attention in the best way possible.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
The Budapest Festival Orchestra was founded by Maestro Ivan Fischer in 1983 and recognized as one of the world's greatest musical ensembles. The Orchestra performs over 200 concerts each year at the world's most prestigious music festivals (Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart, Salzburger Festspiele, and Edinburg Festival), and concert halls (among them Carniegie Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Musikverein Wein). Their many educational activities include special performances for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and a series of concerts in abandoned or neglected synagogues in small towns across Hungary, and the Juilliard Apprentice Program whereby Juilliard students study with Maestro Fischer and members of the Orchestra.
The Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra's mission is to support programs of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Members have the unique opportunity to build a closer relationship with the Orchestra both in the United States and in the Budapest through special events with Maestro Fischer and the orchestra musicians. The Friends support the major programming initiatives of the Orchestra including Dancing on the Square, Community Weeks, U.S. touring, and the Juilliard Apprentice Program, as well as chamber music concerts with important visiting Orchestra members in Manhattan residences.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BFO: http://friendsofthebudapestfestivalorchestra.org/
Facebook: @bfo.en
Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan Company
