A second program, to be performed in Central Park on July 17 only, features soprano Measha Brueggergosman (in her Philharmonic debut) singing arias by Puccini, Massenet, Catalani and Weber; in addition, Andrew Davis will conduct Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks and the Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition.
At all of this year's Concerts in the Parks, the New York Philharmonic is teaming up with the area's food banks on a week-long region-wide food drive. Concertgoers are invited to donate non-perishable food items at each of the outdoor performances; there will be special collection bins at each venue.
Last month philanthropists Oscar S. and Didi Schafer donated $5 million to support the orchestra's series of free summer performances, which are now known as the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer.
The schedule for the Philharmonic's remaining Concerts in the Parks is as follows:
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Thursday, July 12 - Cunningham Park, Queens
Friday, July 13 - Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Saturday, July 14 - Heckscher State Park, East Islip, Long Island
Monday, July 16 - Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Tuesday, July 17 - The Great Lawn, Central Park, Manhattan
(second program)
All of these performances begin at 8 p.m. and will be followed by fireworks.