April 09, 2008
NY Philharmonic to play free July 5 Gov. Island concert
The New York Philharmonic will play a free July 5 concert on Governors Island in what the New York Times said could be a trial run to see if the mostly-abandoned island between Manhattan and Brooklyn could become the orchestra's summer home.
The 6:30 p.m. concert -- with fireworks -- will feature Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture, Rossini’s overture to “The Italian Girl in Algiers,” four dance episodes from “Rodeo” by Copland, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol.” The conductor will be Bramwell Tovey, who leads the Summertime Classics series.
 The Philharmonic won't be the only big name band on the island this summer as HighLine Ballroom is programming its own Governors Island Concert Series with moe on June 15, the Dark Star Orchestra on July 11 and the Saw Doctors on August 23. At least for those shows, food and beverages (including beer and liquor) will be available for sale. (Tickets for those concerts are now on sale.)
Governors Island, situated a mere 800 yards off Manhattan, was the original settlement of the New Amsterdam colonists and later served as a military fortification closed to the public. Only in the past few years has it started opening in the summer for public recreation and concerts. This year, it will open for the season on May 31.
The island can be reached by ferry from the terminal adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry terminal in Lower Manhattan. (Last summer it was also served by the New York Water Taxi, which significantly cut back its commuter services this past winter and has also canceled its Mets Express service to Shea Stadium.)
Related: The Governors Island Concert Series - 2008 (Brooklyn Vegan)
Picture credit: The lawn and Fort Jay entrance at Governors Island in 2006. Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.
Earlier: Governors Island to reopen May 31, with bike rentals
April 9, 2008 09:13 AM in Cheap Stuff, Downtown, History, Out of Manhattan, Romance, Sightsology
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