The English Concert in America (TECA) hosted a Galaon Wednesday November 28th at the New-York Historical Society. The Gala, honoring Bunny Beekman, welcomed more than 200 guests in support of the organization’s mission.
Beginning with cocktails in the atrium, guests took a private turn through the “Harry Potter: A History of Magic” exhibition before heading to the Patricia B. Klingenstein Library for a concert by one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras. The English Concert, led by internationally renowned opera conductor Harry Bicket and joined by soloists Ben Bliss, Sydney Mancasola, and Emily D’Angelo, gave a spectacular performance featuring works of Purcell, Handel and Dall’Abaco.
The honoree of the evening was Bunny Beekman, founder and first President of The English Concert in America with the goal of elevating the presence of historical performance in the U.S. The Gala Committee was chaired by Charles MacKay, and Co-Chaired by Paul Sekhri and Mark Gude. After the concert guests enjoyed dinner in Dexter Hall and were gifted with a copy of The English Concert’s recently-released recording.
Since its founding, TECA has organized concerts with Maestro Bicket, the English Concert Players, and the American Fellows of The English Concert to share with audiences inspiring performances of early music. In addition, TECA created a Fellowship Program in association with The Juilliard School’s Historical Performance program, which provides a select group of emerging young performers opportunities to develop artistically at a critical stage in their education and professional life.
Howard Solomon and Andrew SolomonBill Beekman with Anne and Joe PiersonJB Kittredge and Bill BeekmanZaak and Janine Beekman, Winand Van Eeghen, and Victoria and Michael ChuMark Gude with Anne and Joe PiersonFront: William Miller, Douglas Thomas, Sarah Solomon; Back: Jim and Nancy BartonVictor Geraci and Helene TilneyMaestro Harry Bicket with Louise and Alex DyeAlfred Ross Sally and Tim BrownHarold Koda, Missy McHugh, and Lita SemeradAlice Vartan, Judith Smith, and Hovig VartanJames Gandry, Francoise Girard, and David KnottGary Martin, Judith Smith, Patrick OwensAnne Pierson, Joseph Pierson, Barbara Cohn, David RockefellerJanine and Zaak Beekman, Stephen Foley, Alex Michas, Mary Jo FoleyLaura Heiss Varas, Victor Geraci, Adrian Jones, Tink and Richard MortimerHans Kraus, Luke Pontifell and Brandon FraddNorman Benzaquen, Judy Zankel, Carlos Tome, Theresa KimHarry Bicket, Sarah Solomon, and Deborah BordaJohn Hargraves and Bunny BeekmanAlbert Bellas, Elizabeth Ingleby, Harry Bicket, Helene and Hugh Tilney, and Jon and Candy WainwrightRichard Strother, Jeff Haydon, and Barbaralee Diamonsteen-SpielvogelShannon Wu, Andrew Solomon, and Beth GlynJudith Smith introduces The English ConcertCatrina Bentley and Allegra De VitaThe English Concert orchestra
Emily D’Angelo, Sydney Mancasola, Ben Bliss, Harry Bicket, and The English ConcertSydney Mancasola, Emily D’Angelo, and Ben BlissAnne Pierson at the podiumHarry Bicket, Robert Turner, and David HeilbronerLydia Forbes and Woody CampbellGordon Pattee and Kathleen GerardL to R.: Maestro Harry Bicket with Gala Honoree Bunny Beekman; Paul Sekhri, Susan Hilferty, and Cory ToevsEmily D’Angelo, Harry Bicket, Ben Bliss, and Sydney MancasolaL to R.: Maria Celis Wirth and Christine Hamersley; Judith Smith and Hillary BurnettRobert Turner, Alexander Neef, Peter Speliopoulos, and Anthony Roth CostanzoWoody Campbell and Bob ForbesHope Winthrop, Emily D’Angelo, and Maria CampbellBunny Beekman, Alexandra Howard, and Patricia BegleySarah Kenner, Judith Smith, and Ben SoslandSavine Pontifell and Anne PiersonAnne Manice, Phillip Howard, Harry Bicket, and Kathleen GerardBunny Beekman, Heidi Ettinger, and Jonathan ReynoldsJanine and Zaak Beekman with Bunny Beekman
