Here in Lincoln Square, the City's premier destination for performing arts, September brings with it the beginning of a fantastic 2019-2020 season for so many favorite cultural institutions. From ballet, to jazz ensembles, to opera, there's something for everyone this fall and beyond.
Merkin Hall, at Kaufman Music Center at 129 West 67th Street, has a number of interesting series lined up beginning this month. This season's theme is "Transformation", a motif that brings together Bach and Schubert performances, Beethoven's influence on Western music, musicals, and even the 10th anniversary of the popular Ecstatic Music Festival which begins on Thursday, September 19. You can also enjoy the return of series like Broadway Close Up and Tuesday Matinees. Search Merkin Hall's calendar for all of the unique performances scheduled this season.
Inside of 10 Columbus Circle, Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2019-20 concert season is all about inspiring figures and big ideas. Anchored by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, the season is packed with world premieres and classic masterpieces. The JALC Orchestra will kick off the season in Rose Theater with a musical celebration of South African democracy on Thursday, September 12 at 8:00pm with the South African Songbook. There will also be performances of this event on Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14. Purchase tickets for one of these concerts online today and save 25% on tickets by using the code, JazzFan25. The season is filled with jazz ensembles, big band performances, and talented vocalists among other great jazz acts. See the calendar for the season here.
The Metropolitan Opera begins its 2019-20 season on Monday, September 23 with a new production of the Gershwins' classic American opera
Porgy and Bess at 6:00pm.
Other operas from the season include several classics, such as Macbeth and The Magic Flute, as well as the Met premiere of Philip Glass's Akhnaten and Handel's Agrippina. Click here for a full list of operas from the 2019-20 season. Additionally, this season will include 16 Sunday matinees for the first time ever, with more in future seasons.
New York City Ballet will open its 2019-20 season at Lincoln Center on Tuesday, September 17 with George Balanchine's full-length
Jewels. The season will continue with 21 weeks of performances, through Sunday, May 31, and will feature 54 ballets and choreography by 12 different choreographers. Other performances include,
A Midsummer Night's Dream. Swan Lake, and many more collaborative productions from the repertory. Click here for more information.
The New York Philharmonic
will begin its 2019-20 season with Close Encounters of the Third Kind on Wednesday, September 11 at 7:30pm during which the orchestra will perform the movie score live as the film plays. This is the first of a series of special events for the season. Other highlights include Project 19, a series to mark the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment with commissions by 19 women composers, the second year of Sound ON, and a Nightcap Series, plus more! Click here to view the season.
Chamber Music Society will bring back performances beginning in October while also celebrating its 50th Anniversary. There are many performances and lectures scheduled for the fall, winter, and spring. Highlights for the season include Master Classes, Inside Chamber Music performances, CMS Kids' performances, late night sessions and much more. Click here to explore CMS shows.
Jupiter Symphony, a company which performs at Good Shepard Presbyterian Church (152 West 66th Street), will also begin a new season on Monday, September 16. Check out their schedule and enjoy terrific chamber music with this neighborhood staple.
Purchase tickets to some wonderful performances in Lincoln Square today and start off your fall with culture and performing arts. Plus, don't forget about programming at our two local museums, too--the
American Folk Art Museum and
MAD Museum. Both offer special programs for the public throughout the year in connection with their collections.
Photo credit: The Metropolitan Opera, La Traviata
