For over 180 years, the New York Philharmonic has housed some of the most transcendent musicians known to humankind and cemented itself as a legendary symphony orchestra, showing the world the essential role that the arts play in our society. A longstanding tradition, they held their opening gala and concert this past week at David Geffen Hall in the upper west side of Manhattan in New York City to celebrate the start of their 2025-2026 season. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, this year’s event stood to honor the legacy of NY Phil Director Vera Blinken, as well as the memory of longtime board member and United States Ambassador to Hungary, Donald Blinken.

It was a night of utter elegance, complete with a red carpet, cocktail reception, and a three-course dinner in the hall’s Grand Promenade, which sparkled of an exuberant lighting display hung from above designed by Robert Bloom. The main event, the Philharmonic’s opening concert, was led by conductor Anthony Parnther and featured a premier guest: Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Cécile McLorin Salvant as the lead vocalist.

The rich history of the organization, as well as the admirable pursuits of both of the night’s guests of honor, were not lost on attendees: the gala raised over $3.3 million for the non-profit’s upcoming endeavors. Few things are as famously and distinctively representative of its kind as the NY Phil, and year after year, they prove that legends never die.