Fall gala season is in full swing with its annual marathon of lavish events drawing influential and powerful figures. Across New York, actors, musicians, politicians, philanthropists and executives, dressed in their finest, schmooze over multicourse dinners and exclusive performances as major institutions appeal to some of the city’s wealthiest residents for financial support and cultural cachet.
Previous stops in this ongoing series have included the opening nights of the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, as well as the star-packed Albie Awards. See who was out, what they wore and how much was raised.
TUesday, Oct. 8
Carnegie Hall Raises $5 Million at Fall Gala
East Coast met West Coast as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its maestro, Gustavo Dudamel, along with soloists, dazzled a sold-out house at Carnegie Hall’s Opening Night Gala on Tuesday.
The program included Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2,” with Lang Lang as soloist, and Ginastera’s “Estancia, Op. 8,” featuring the baritone Gustavo Castillo.
“I think Rachmaninoff represents beautiful music all the time,” said Mr. Dudamel, the music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, who will become the music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic in 2026.
“Ginastera is a gem and not played often,” he said. “It’s a journey of passion. Rachmaninoff is melody and harmony, and Ginastera intense rhythm.”
The evening raised $5 million to benefit Carnegie’s artistic, education and social impact programs and kicked off the season’s Nuestros Sonidos Latin music festival, which celebrates the heritage and influence of Latin culture, and Lang Lang’s Perspectives, a series of concerts from the pianist.
During a cocktail reception before the concert, a crowd that included the writer Fran Lebowitz; the actors Liev Schreiber, F. Murray Abraham and David Rasche; the actresses Rosemarie DeWitt, Susie Essman and Ellen Burstyn; and the philanthropists Sandy and Joan Weill, walked the red carpet into the second floor.
Many were eager for Mr. Dudamel’s move to the New York Philharmonic.
“Who wouldn’t come to see Dudamel,” Ms. Lebowitz said. “He’s coming here where he belongs.”
After the performance, the crowd headed to Cipriani 42nd Street, where about 600 guests spread out at about two dozen tables.
Jon Batiste, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, shared a table with Mr. Dudamel and hinted at the future.
“We’re going to cause mischief,” Mr. Batiste said. “We’re going to revitalize the orchestra and our city.”
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