Recitals History

The recital series began at the Morgan in 1995 as a way to give grantees exposure and experience, and, in many cases, a New York debut. Each season consists of three recitals pairing a recent award winner with a well-known international artist – sometimes a past George London Award winner – that have in recent years included Christine Brewer, Vinson Cole, Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, James Morris, René Pape, Samuel Ramey, Frederica von Stade, Bryn Terfel, and Dawn Upshaw. In the past, events were preceded by an interview with a former colleague of George London, interviewed by George Jellinek; Nimet Habachy will continue as the broadcast host for the programs, which for the past ten years have been taped for broadcast over WQXR.

2006-7 marked the return of the Foundation’s events to The Morgan Library & Museum after three seasons away, and they were among the first concerts to take place in the new Gilder Lehrman Hall, part of the Morgan’s recent critically-acclaimed renovation by architect Renzo Piano.