Associated Press (04/15/21) Blum, Ronald

The New York Philharmonic orchestra gave its first public performance in more than 13 months, with guest conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen leading at the Shed in Hudson Yards, a short distance from the under-renovation Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The one-hour performance had no brass or woodwinds, and a string section that was smaller and wore masks, as did an audience of 150 spaced out in groups of one and two folding chairs. Attendees were admitted with electronic tickets and timed entry, and their temperatures were screened at admission. Each person had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of having completed vaccination at least two weeks beforehand. During the 400-day interruption, many Philharmonic musicians taught and were kept on salary, unlike the Metropolitan Opera. The orchestra hopes to resume regular subscription concerts in September, relocated to Tully and the Rose Theater at Lincoln Center Jazz until the Geffen's 2022 reopening. Musicians will open the summer series of Picnic Performances in New York City's Bryant Park starting June 9, and also hope to play in Vail, Colorado. "If there's one thing we musicians have loved during these 14 months or so, it is that nothing — absolutely nothing — can replace the act and the ritual of a live concert," said Salonen at the performance.

Read the full story from the Associated Press.