Review: Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series

The inclement weather on Monday actually made the ardent performances of these undeterred singers more special. The evening began with a short medley from Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.” The hapless bird catcher Papageno has been a signature role for Mr. Gunn, who gave a hearty account of “Die Vogelfänger bin ich ja.” Then Mr. Bliss brought his honeyed lyric tenor voice to Tamino’s declaration of love, and Mr. Gunn returned to join the radiant‑voiced Ms. Fang for a winning account of the duet “Bei Männern,” a beguiling tribute to marital devotion."

Anthony Tommasini (The New York Times)

Ideally, an orchestra is supposed to play a great symphony in the vibrant natural acoustics of a concert hall — not in the open expanse of a park. But outdoor concerts are also, improbably, wonderful and fun. That’s what has made the New York Philharmonic’s free Concerts in the Parks so popular for 54 years.

Of course, it all depends upon the weather. And it was ideal on Wednesday night — balmy, clear and breezy — as more than 50,000 people gathered on the Great Lawn in Central Park to hear Jaap van Zweden, concluding his first season as the Philharmonic’s music director, lead the orchestra in a nicely varied program.

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