SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — On Tuesday, American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO) announced a series of galas headlined by an Israel Philharmonic string quartet in seven U.S. cities this December, including the Inaugural San Diego Gala held at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center on December 8th. The events mark the first international performances after more than a year under lockdown and coincide with the Philharmonic’s return to its home concert hall for its 85th season.
“As the world emerges from a global pandemic—and as our institution returns from the first hiatus in its storied history—we believe that experiencing the music of the Israel Philharmonic in person is a needed force for joy and healing,” said Danielle Ames Spivak, CEO and Executive Vice President of AFIPO. “The Israel Philharmonic was founded during an unprecedented crisis—to save Jewish musicians fleeing the Holocaust. Resiliency is the lifeblood of our orchestra, and we are proud to once again emerge from this period of hardship stronger than ever before.”
The galas will kick off in New York on December 1st with host Bar Refaeli and will honor prominent patrons and friends of the institution, including “Jeweler to the Stars” and philanthropist Lorraine Schwartz (New York), Jewish education revolutionary and philanthropist Harold Grinspoon (Miami), and renowned philanthropists Barbro & Bernard Osher and Varda Rabin (San Francisco).
“The Israel Philharmonic is a great source of pride for many of us who call ourselves friends of Israel,” said San Diego Gala Co-Chair Sharon Gabriel. “I find no greater joy than sharing the unparalleled artistry of these Israel Philharmonic musicians with the San Diego and La Jolla communities through the inaugural San Diego Israel Philharmonic Gala.”
The string quartet is comprised of Israel Philharmonic Concertmaster David Radzynski, violinist Polina Yehudin, violist Yoni Gertner, and Principal Cello Haran Meltzer. Concert-only tickets are available for purchase through The Conrad box office.
“During the pandemic, we bolstered our digital offerings to ensure the light of the Israel Philharmonic reached audiences all over the world. But there is simply no substitute for live music, and we are delighted to offer that experience to our friends in America once again,” said Ames Spivak.
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Preceding provided by American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic