Arrive in New York on suggested flights and check in to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your travel arrangements, including flights, a private airport transfer, a room category upgrade and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

After breakfast, join tour leader Marshall McGuire for a welcome briefing and pre-performance talk about the coming days’ performances. Afterwards, enjoy a private, guided tour of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), often identified as the most influential museums of modern art in the world. The museum’s collections offer an overview of modern and contemporary art, including works of architecture and design, drawing, painting, sculpture and photography.

In the evening, enjoy an early dinner before a short walk to Carnegie Hall to attend a performance of the glorious Boston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of esteemed chief conductor Andris Nelsons perform an exciting program featuring two Shostakovich symphonies, with celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

PROGRAM:
Shostakovich – Cello Concerto No.1
Shostakovich – Symphony No.11, The Year 1905

(BD)

This morning, transfer by coach to the superb Neue Galerie for a private, guided tour. The museum houses an impressive collection of Austrian and German art from the early twentieth century, including works by Gustav Klimt and Max Beckmann.

In the evening, walk to the Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center to see the New York Philharmonic (conducted by the Hungarian-born Iván Fisher) perform with special guest violinist Lisa Batiashvili.

PROGRAM:
Mozart – Violin Concerto No.4
Bartók – The Wooden Prince (complete)

(B)

After a pre-performance talk in the morning, explore the Morgan Library, a treasure trove of literary and historical artifacts. The library’s collection includes an array of rare manuscripts, early printed books and literary artifacts, with highlights such as original works by Charles Dickens and Jane Austen.

In the early evening enjoy dinner before attending the Metropolitan Opera’s ingenious production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Conducted by Evan Rogister, tenor Ben Bliss and soprano Golda Schultz lead the cast as the noble lovers Tamino and Pamina.

(BD)

Enjoy the morning at leisure before walking to the Met to attend the monumental production of Verdi’s Aida. The title role is sung by Angel Blue, who makes her long-awaited Met debut in the role. Mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča plays Aida’s rival Amneris and her male counterpart, Radamés, is played by internationally renowned tenor Piotr Beczała. Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium as conductor for the new staging, bringing audiences inside the towering pyramids of ancient Egypt.

(BD)

Spend the morning at leisure to relax or to explore one of the many nearby museums or enjoy a stroll through Central Park. In the early-afternoon take an exclusive behind the scenes look on a private, backstage tour of the Met.

This evening, walk to Carnegie Hall for the superb Met Orchestra Chamber Ensemble for a program including Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde.

PROGRAM:
Adés – Alchymia
Mahler – Das Lied von der Erde (arr. Schoenberg)

(B)

After breakfast, join Marshall for a pre-performance talk, then venture to The Met Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to the art, architecture and gardens of medieval Europe. Nestled in Fort Tryon Park, this unique museum is designed to resemble a European medieval monastery and contains the famous Unicorn Tapestries and medieval herb garden, which offers a peaceful retreat with breathtaking views of the Hudson River.

Tonight, at the Met, enjoy Strauss’s tragedy Salome. Headlining is South African soprano Elza van den Heever, who demands the head of Jochanaan, sung by celebrated baritone Peter Mattei. Tenor Gerhard Siegel is Salome’s lecherous stepfather, King Herod, with mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung as his wife, Herodias, and tenor Piotr Buszewski as Narraboth. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts tonight’s performance.

(B)

After breakfast, join Marshall for a pre-performance talk. Then, enjoy a guided visit of the Whitney Museum of American Art, which contains a full range of twentieth-century and contemporary American art. Walk part of Chelsea’s High Line and discover Little Island park, before enjoying lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Tonight, once again at the Met, enjoy Rossini’s effervescent comedy The Barber of Seville. Isabel Leonard headlines as the feisty heroine, Rosina, alongside tenor Lawrence Brownlee as her secret beloved, Count Almaviva. Baritone Davide Luciano stars as Figaro, the infamous barber of Seville, with bass-baritone Peter Kálmán as Dr. Bartolo and bass Alexander Vinogradov as Don Basilio rounding out the principal cast. Giacomo Sagripanti conducts.

(BL)

After breakfast, visit the Radio City Music Hall, where America’s most popular entertainers have thrilled audiences since 1932, and take a VIP tour of the rehearsal halls, dressing rooms and a complete view of the Roxy Suite. Lunch and the remainder of the afternoon are at leisure.

In the evening, revel in a recital of the renowned pianist Emanuel Ax at the iconic Carnegie Hall. In this performance, he treats listeners to musical fantasies by Beethoven, Robert Schumann and more.

PROGRAM:
Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 1, quasi una fantasia
Coriglianos – Fantasia on an Ostinato
Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, quasi una fantasia (Moonlight)
Schumann – Arabeske in C Major
Schumann  – Fantasy in C Major, Op. 17

(BD)

This morning, explore the Park Avenue Armory on a private, guided tour. Originally built as a military facility in the 19th century, the Armory boasts a stunning array of period rooms designed by some of the most renowned architects and artisans of the era, including Louis Comfort Tiffany and Stanford White and are often transformed for innovative art installations, theatre productions, and concerts.

In the evening, return to Carnegie Hall to witness “the world’s reigning dramatic soprano” Nina Stemme in a rare New York performance. Stemme is joined by celebrated pianist Roland Pöntinen.

PROGRAM:
Elgar – Sea Pictures
Weill – Selected songs
Wagner – Wesendonck Lieder
Wagner – Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde

(B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure to visit a favourite store, museum, gallery or sight, before joining Marshall and fellow travellers for a special farewell dinner at the Met’s Grand Tier restaurant.

Then, hear the praised cellist Steven Isserlis join the New York Philharmonic, conducted by celebrated Australian Simone Young, for Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto.

PROGRAM:
Schoenberg – Notturno
Schumann – Cello Concerto in A minor, Op.129
Bruckner – Symphony No.6

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your travel arrangements, including flights, a private airport transfer, a room category upgrade and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)