New York City Opera

February 2026

A Special Concert Dedicated to Valentines Day at Gracie Mansion

New York City Opera is proud to partner with the Gracie Mansion Conservancy to present A Serenade to Love, an intimate evening of opera and classical music in one of New York City’s most iconic historic settings.

On Thursday, February 12, audiences are invited inside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Mamdani and First Lady Duwaji for a special concert celebrating love, beauty, and the power of live performance. The program will feature beloved opera arias and timeless melodies performed by artists of New York City Opera.

This concert marks the third installment of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy’s Live at Gracie Concert Series and the first collaboration between Gracie Mansion Conservancy and New York City Opera. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the ongoing historic preservation of Gracie Mansion.

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February 2026

Maestro Constantine Orbelian Receives Cultural Icon Award

New York City Opera is delighted to share that our Executive and Music Director and Principal Conductor, Constantine Orbelian, has been honored with the Cultural Icon Award by Art Estate magazine.

This distinguished recognition celebrates Maestro Orbelian’s extraordinary lifetime of artistic achievement, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to music. For decades, he has inspired audiences and artists around the world through his passion, excellence, and commitment to the highest artistic standards.

Today, we proudly celebrate this remarkable honor and congratulate Maestro Orbelian on a career that continues to shape the cultural landscape and enrich the future of New York City Opera.

February 2026

New York City Opera Launches Young Patrons Program

New York City Opera is delighted to announce the launch of Young Patrons of New York City Opera, a new community created to engage and inspire the next generation of opera and classical music supporters. To mark this special occasion, NYCO will host its inaugural Young Patrons Event on February 22, featuring a live concert and an elegant reception with light bites and drinks. This launch event brings together artists, leadership, and cultural enthusiasts for an evening celebrating connection, creativity, and the future of opera in New York. The Young Patrons program reflects NYCO’s commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive cultural community and ensuring that great music continues to thrive for generations to come.

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January 2026

Cultural Icon award nomination

A proud moment for all of us at New York City Opera.

Our Executive & Music Director and Principal Conductor, Maestro Constantine Orbelian, has been nominated for the CULTURAL ICON Award by the ART E$TATE Magazine. His artistry, leadership, and lifelong devotion to music continue to shape the global operatic world - and we are deeply grateful to have him guiding New York City Opera.

Bravo, Maestro!

October 2025

New York City Opera Unveils New Branding and Website

New York City Opera is proud to unveil a new visual identity and website that reflect a vibrant new chapter in the company’s storied legacy. As we revive and reimagine this cultural icon for the 21st century, our refreshed branding celebrates the spirit of innovation, inclusivity, and artistic excellence that has always defined “The People’s Opera.” The new logo and website mark a dynamic step forward—bridging the company’s historic roots with a bold, global vision for the future of opera.

August 2025

Marty Pompadur Joins NYCO as Senior Advisor

Marty Pompadur Joins NYCO as Senior Advisor. We are delighted to welcome Marty Pompadur, celebrated media executive and philanthropist, as Senior Advisor to New York City Opera. Marty brings decades of visionary leadership, a remarkable track record in entertainment and cultural endeavor, and a deep passion for empowering artistic institutions. With his guidance, NYCO will strengthen its global reach, amplify its mission of accessibility and innovation, and cultivate the next generation of opera supporters. We look forward to this exciting collaboration and the incredible impact we will achieve together.

Summer 2025

Summer in Bryant Park: “Opera Goes to Hollywood” & Fully Staged “Carmen”

This summer, New York City Opera lit up Bryant Park with two unforgettable performances. “Opera Goes to Hollywood” delighted thousands with a vibrant concert of iconic opera arias made famous through film, blending cinematic magic with vocal brilliance. The season culminated in a fully staged production of Carmen, bringing Bizet’s timeless masterpiece to life under the stars. These events continued NYCO’s tradition of free, world-class opera in the heart of New York City - making opera accessible, exciting, and alive for all.

October 2024

The Soft Diplomacy of Music: Maestro Orbelian’s Vision

Maestro Constantine Orbelian, General and Artistic Director of New York City Opera, shares his profound belief in the power of music to transcend borders and bring people together. In this thoughtful article, he explores how opera can serve as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy - inspiring unity, understanding, and dialogue where politics alone often fall short.

CONSTANTINE ORBELIAN INSTALLED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR + MUSIC DIRECTOR

Today, the board of New York City Opera announces the appointment of Constantine Orbelian as the organization's new Executive Director & Music Director, succeeding General Director Michael Capasso.

“We look forward to this new chapter in New York City Opera’s story,” said Roy G. Niederhoffer, Chairman Emeritus of the Board. “We are grateful to Michael for his time with NYCO, working tirelessly to bring back the company and programming for New York City audiences to enjoy. We are so pleased to have Constantine’s roles expand as the new leader of City Opera – the future looks bright!”

CONSTANTINE ORBELIAN INSTALLED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR + MUSIC DIRECTOR

Today, the board of New York City Opera announces the appointment of Constantine Orbelian as the organization's new Executive Director & Music Director, succeeding General Director Michael Capasso.

"I am honored and excited to take on the role of Executive Director in addition to my current role as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the New York City Opera, a company with such a rich legacy and profound history in the world of music,” said Constantine Orbelian. “This opportunity allows me to blend my passion for artistic excellence with mindful and positive stewardship, ensuring that the cherished traditions of this great institution continue to thrive. Together with this wonderful community, we will embark on a journey that honors the past while boldly shaping the future of this iconic opera company.”

New York City Opera's 2024-25 season is poised to captivate and inspire with dynamic repertoire that celebrates resilience, history, and community, beginning with a monumental Carnegie Hall concert, Music of Survival, featuring works by Mieczysław Weinberg and Erich Korngold – music born from the crucible of adversity. The company’s commitment to education shines through expanded outreach programs, bringing opera to new generations of K-12 students. The enchanting and wildly popular Bryant Park summer performances will continue to delight thousands of New Yorkers, culminating in a masterful presentation of Mascagni's rarely performed Isabeau, an exciting co-production with Opera Holland Park that explores themes of love, honor, and sacrifice.

About Constantine Orbelian

Four-time Grammy-nominated conductor Constantine Orbelian has been called “the singer’s dream collaborator” by Opera News, which hailed him for conducting vocal repertoire “with the sensitivity of a lieder pianist.” On June 7th, 2021, Maestro Orbelian was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of one of the great New York institutions — New York City Opera.

He has toured and recorded with some of the world’s greatest singers, such as American stars Renee Fleming, Sondra Radvanovsky and Lawrence Brownlee, Stephen Costello and Charles Castronovo, and with the great Dmitri Hvorostovsky and other renowned Russian singers in European, North American, Russian and Asian music centers.

Mr. Orbelian’s accomplishments include being Music Director of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia of Russia, founder of the annual Palaces of St. Petersburg International Music Festival, Chief Conductor of the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra in Lithuania, and Artistic Director of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater in Yerevan, Armenia. Among his concert and televised appearances are collaborations with Hvorostovsky, Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko and Van Cliburn, including the legendary pianist’s farewell performance.

Recent performances included debuts at the famed Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires with Isabel Lenoard, Palacio Bellas Artes in Mexico City with Elina Garanca, Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra in Bucharest, and a recent production of Eugene Onegin in Cluj Napoca Opera house în România.

Born in San Francisco to Ukrainian and Armenian emigré parents, Mr. Orbelian made his performing debut as a piano prodigy with the San Francisco Symphony at the age of 11. After graduating from Juilliard in New York, he embarked on a career as a piano virtuoso that included appearances with major symphony orchestras throughout the U.S., U.K., Europe and Russia.

The first American to become music director of an ensemble in Russia, he was awarded the coveted title “Honored Artist of Russia” in 2004 in recognition of his efforts championing Russian-American cultural exchange. In 2012 the Russian Consulate in San Francisco awarded the maestro the Russian Order of Friendship Medal, joining such luminaries as Cliburn and Riccardo Muti in being so honored. In 2001 Mr. Orbelian was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, given to immigrants, or children of immigrants, who have made outstanding contributions to the United States. www.constantineorbelian.com

January 2022

ANNOUNCING THE WORLD PREMIERE OF RICKY IAN GORDON’S “THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS”

New York City Opera (NYCO), under the direction of Michael Capasso, has announced plans to produce the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS, a co-production with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director, Dominick Balletta, Executive Director). THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS, with a libretto by Michael Korie and direction and choreography by Richard Stafford, will open at Edmond J. Safra Hall, Folksbiene’s theatrical home, inside the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust – in April 2021.

June 2021

WORLD-RENOWNED CONDUCTOR AND PIANIST CONSTANTINE ORBELIAN APPOINTED AS MUSIC DIRECTOR + PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR

Maestro Orbelian will conduct his first NYCO production this summer when the company performs a newly created version of Rigoletto on Sunday, August 29 at the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice in Kingston, New York, followed by an encore performance of the Verdi favorite on Friday, September 3 as part of Bryant Park’s annual Picnic Performance series.

WORLD-RENOWNED CONDUCTOR AND PIANIST CONSTANTINE ORBELIAN APPOINTED AS MUSIC DIRECTOR + PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR

“We are indeed very fortunate to welcome the world-renowned maestro, Constantine Orbelian to the New York City Opera Family,” commented Mr. Capasso. “Maestro Orbelian brings decades of international experience conducting opera’s greatest stars both in performance and on award-winning recordings and will offer the company and its audiences many world-class performances in the future. I have no doubt his skill and experience will be central to restoring City Opera to its place in the American and international Opera scenes.”

“I am thrilled to accept the position of Music Director and Principal Conductor of the venerable New York City Opera,” said Maestro Orbelian. “It is a great opportunity to help bring this historic, culturally significant musical institution back to life after a challenging time of Covid closures. We will give opera lovers the thrill of hearing extraordinary singers from across America and beyond. Staying true to the NYCO tradition, we will provide contemporary composers a great platform in which to premiere their works. We look forward to welcoming you, our opera-loving public, to our performances at Bryant Park and the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice this summer and to announcing our next season of events and performances.”

Four-time Grammy-nominated conductor Constantine Orbelian has been called “the singer’s dream collaborator” by Opera News, which hailed him for conducting vocal repertoire “with the sensitivity of a lieder pianist.” He has toured and recorded with some of the world’s greatest singers, such as American stars Renée Fleming, Sondra Radvanovsky and Lawrence Brownlee, and with the great Dmitri Hvorostovsky and other renowned Russian singers in European, North American, Russian and Asian music centers.

Maestro Orbelian’s accomplishments include being Music Director of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia of Russia, founder of the annual Palaces of St. Petersburg International Music Festival, Chief Conductor of the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra in Lithuania, and Artistic Director of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater in Yerevan, Armenia. Among his concert and televised appearances are collaborations with Hvorostovsky, Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko, Elīna Garanča and Van Cliburn, including the legendary pianist’s farewell performance.

Born in San Francisco to Russian and Armenian émigrés parents, Maestro Orbelian made his performing debut as a piano prodigy with the San Francisco Symphony at the age of 11. After graduating from Juilliard in New York, he embarked on a career as a piano virtuoso that included appearances with major symphony orchestras throughout the U.S., U.K., Europe and Russia.

The first American to become music director of an ensemble in Russia, he was awarded the coveted title “Honored Artist of Russia” in 2004 in recognition of his efforts championing Russian-American cultural exchange. In 2012 the Russian Consulate in San Francisco awarded the maestro the Russian Order of Friendship Medal, joining such luminaries as Cliburn and Riccardo Muti in being so honored. In 2001 Maestro Orbelian was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, given to immigrants, or children of immigrants, who have made outstanding contributions to the United States.

Maestro Orbelian has recorded over 60 CDs for the DELOS Label and has additional DVDs and CDs which have been released on Decca, Deutsche Gramophone, Chandos, Philips and Warner labels.

May 2021

OPERA COMMUNITY IS SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF PAUL KELLOGG

The entire New York City Opera community is very sad to learn of the passing of Paul Kellogg this morning in Cooperstown, NY. Paul was a visionary in the opera world who masterfully led City Opera from 1996 to 2007 during a period of incredible change for the company and the city.

News & Press

A Special Concert Dedicated to Valentines Day at Gracie Mansion

Maestro Constantine Orbelian Receives Cultural Icon Award

New York City Opera Launches Young Patrons Program

Cultural Icon award nomination

New York City Opera Unveils New Branding and Website

Marty Pompadur Joins NYCO as Senior Advisor

Summer in Bryant Park: “Opera Goes to Hollywood” & Fully Staged “Carmen”

The Soft Diplomacy of Music: Maestro Orbelian’s Vision

CONSTANTINE ORBELIAN INSTALLED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR + MUSIC DIRECTOR

ANNOUNCING THE WORLD PREMIERE OF RICKY IAN GORDON’S “THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS”

WORLD-RENOWNED CONDUCTOR AND PIANIST CONSTANTINE ORBELIAN APPOINTED AS MUSIC DIRECTOR + PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR

OPERA COMMUNITY IS SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF PAUL KELLOGG

News
& Press

Summer in Bryant Park: “Opera Goes to Hollywood” & Fully Staged “Carmen”