For more than sixty years, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has enjoyed a warm relationship with American audiences, building a loyal and enthusiastic following during its regular coast to coast tours. The American Friends of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (AFRPO) was originally established in 1983 to further the work of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the USA. Funds raised through the AFRPO have provided essential support for the Orchestra’s USA tours, educational activity at home and abroad, and for some of the young American artists who regularly appear with the RPO.
To mark the RPO’s 70th Anniversary, the Orchestra set about reinvigorating its American Friends membership scheme, which is now moving from strength to strength. The AFRPO has a board of committed and enthusiastic Directors, and is classified as a Public Charity, therefore all donations to the AFRPO are tax deductible for US taxpayers to the full extent allowed by law. The AFRPO is keen to attract new patrons who will enjoy being associated with one of the world’s great cultural institutions, and who recognise the importance of developing and enhancing a cross-cultural relationship between the USA and Great Britain. The support the Orchestra receives from its American Friends is essential if it is to achieve its overarching mission of bringing outstanding orchestral experiences to the widest possible audience.
A statement from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on the death of HM The Queen
It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace has announced the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
On behalf of the staff, players, supporters and partners of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Royal Family - and the country at large, which will be united in mourning the passing of one of the most remarkable figures in British history. Her Majesty The Queen touched all of our lives in so many ways; her compassion and leadership united the country and she presented the best of Britain to the world. She led by example and her legacy will live on in our hearts forever.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
#RPOonTour Photo Blog: The East Coast and Carnegie Hall
The RPO return to Carnegie Hall with Vasily Petrenko. (c) Richard Termine
The final leg of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's tour to the USA along the East Coast topped off an ambitious project that involved months of planning, with the logistics of nagivating changing pandemic restrictions to move 80 players from the UK to California, to Orlando and finally New York. With the final concert in Carnegie Hall, we had completed the first major tour to the USA by any international orchestra since February 2020.
Read more and see all the photos on the RPO's website below.
#RPOonTour Photo Blog: A week in Orlando
The RPO in Steinmetz Hall (c) Dr Phillips Center
From Wednesday 19 to Wednesday 26 January the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra took up residence in Orlando's Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as part of the celebrations surrounding the opening of the new Steinmetz Hall.
The RPO performed with an array of incredible artists including: Jennifer Hudson, The Royal Ballet, Leon Bridges and Lyle Lovett in a unique series of concerts that formed part of the Orchestra's tour around the USA.
Read more and see all the photos on the RPO's website below.
#RPOonTour Photo Blog: A week in California
Last week the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra touched down in California to begin our tour in the USA with our Music Director, Vasily Petrenko.
The first week of our January tour featured pianist Olga Kern and music by Britten, Elgar and Grieg, before we flew over to Florida for our residency in Orlando’s Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from 19 – 26 January. Concerts on the East Coast are to follow in the last week of the month, topped off with a concert in New York's Carnegie Hall on 31 January, with this performance being given in honour of Lilia Bloom.
See photos from each of our pits stops on our journey along the Sunshine State’s West Coast on the RPO's website below.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra announces HRH The Prince of Wales as new patron ahead of 75th Anniversary Season - 27 April 2021
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is delighted to announce that The Prince of Wales has accepted an invitation to become the Orchestra’s Patron.
The Prince of Wales has a life-long association with the Arts. During the pandemic His Royal Highness spoke about the importance of protecting the Arts, stressing their enormous importance to life in the UK and to the economy.
HRH has become the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Patron at a key moment in its evolution: the Orchestra will celebrate its seventy-fifth anniversary this autumn and welcomes its new Music Director Vasily Petrenko; moreover, as the country emerges from a third national lockdown, the RPO will be to the fore helping our communities to heal from an unprecedented pandemic.
Visit the RPO's website for the full article, including comment from James Williams, Manager Director.
AFRPO and RPO Resound in New York
In early November, members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra travelled to New York to take part in a series of events for the America Friends of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and run several RPO Resound community outreach projects.
Sotheby’s hosted a sumptuous evening of music, art and cocktails for an array of distinguished guests, including members of the American Friends. Members of the RPO were joined by the young American pianist Kenneth Broberg for a concert following the viewing. The RPO musicians also attended and perform at a dinner hosted by Barry (president of AFRPO) and Lilia Bloom in honour of Vasily Petrenko, the RPO’s Music Director Designate 2020.
The RPO musicians also delivered a community outreach project at a school in Mount Vernon, New York, working with young musicians to devise and perform original pieces of music, inspired by themes of the school’s academic programme. There was also the opportunity to run two family workshops at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. The musicians then travelled to Hershey to deliver a morning of workshops followed by a concert for 750 pupils and staff at Milton Hershey School. The New York project was being generously funded by Mr Greg Galdi (member of AFRPO) and the Hershey project by Jim and Elaine Mead (board members of the AFRPO). We are extremely grateful for their support.
Friend
$100 ($12 is non tax deductible)
- Acknowledgement in all RPO own-promotion concert programmes, on the Orchestra’s website and in the RPO Annual Report
- Quarterly AFRPO e-newsletter
- A complimentary RPO CD
- Opportunity to attend open rehearsals during US tours
- Advance email notice of forthcoming RPO concerts and education activity in the US
Benefactor
$500 ($52 is non tax deductible)
- Invitation to an annual cocktail reception in the US
- Acknowledgement in all RPO own-promotion concert programmes, on the Orchestra’s website and in the RPO Annual Report
- Quarterly AFRPO e-newsletter
- A complimentary RPO CD
- Opportunity to attend open rehearsals during US tours
- Advance email notice of forthcoming RPO concerts and education activity in the US
Sir Thomas Beecham Circle
$1,000 ($372 is non tax deductible)
- Two complimentary concert tickets for an RPO concert in the US (subject to availability)
- Two complimentary tickets to an RPO concert in London
- Invitation to an annual cocktail reception in the US
- Acknowledgement in all RPO own-promotion concert programmes, on the Orchestra’s website and in the RPO Annual Report
- Quarterly AFRPO e-newsletter
- A complimentary RPO CD
- Opportunity to attend open rehearsals during US tours
- Advance email notice of forthcoming RPO concerts and education activity in the US
Concertmaster Circle
$2,500 ($1,022 is non tax deductible)
- Opportunity to meet the RPO Concertmaster and artists backstage following a performance
- One invitation for the RPO Annual Gala Dinner in London
- Two complimentary concert tickets for an RPO concert in the US (subject to availability)
- Two complimentary tickets to an RPO concert in London
- Invitation to an annual cocktail reception in the US
- Acknowledgement in all RPO own-promotion concert programmes, on the Orchestra’s website and in the RPO Annual Report
- Quarterly AFRPO e-newsletter
- A complimentary RPO CD
- Opportunity to attend open rehearsals during US tours
- Advance email notice of forthcoming RPO concerts and education activity in the US
Pinchas Zukerman Circle
$5,000 ($1,672 is non tax deductible)
- An additional invitation to attend the RPO Annual Gala Dinner in London
- Option to purchase 2 additional Gala tickets
- Partner with a player - get to know your very own RPO musician, meet him or her at concerts and events and be listed next to your player in RPO own-promotion concert programmes
- Invitation to attend a cocktail reception in the US with Maestro Zukerman
- Complimentary copy of all RPO new release CDs
- Opportunity to meet the RPO Concertmaster and artists backstage following a performance
- One invitation for the RPO Annual Gala Dinner in London
- Two complimentary concert tickets for an RPO concert in the US (subject to availability)
- Two complimentary tickets to an RPO concert in London
- Invitation to an annual cocktail reception in the US
- Acknowledgement in all RPO own-promotion concert programmes, on the Orchestra’s website and in the RPO Annual Report
- Quarterly AFRPO e-newsletter
- A complimentary RPO CD
- Opportunity to attend open rehearsals during US tours
- Advance email notice of forthcoming RPO concerts and education activity in the US
Diamond Circle Circle
$10,000 ($2,000 is non tax deductible)
- Opportunity to tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- An additional invitation to attend the RPO Annual Gala Dinner in London
- Option to purchase 2 additional Gala tickets
- Partner with a player - get to know your very own RPO musician, meet him or her at concerts and events and be listed next to your player in RPO own-promotion concert programmes
- Invitation to attend a cocktail reception in the US with Maestro Zukerman
- Complimentary copy of all RPO new release CDs
- Opportunity to meet the RPO Concertmaster and artists backstage following a performance
- One invitation for the RPO Annual Gala Dinner in London
- Two complimentary concert tickets for an RPO concert in the US (subject to availability)
- Two complimentary tickets to an RPO concert in London
- Invitation to an annual cocktail reception in the US
- Acknowledgement in all RPO own-promotion concert programmes, on the Orchestra’s website and in the RPO Annual Report
- Quarterly AFRPO e-newsletter
- A complimentary RPO CD
- Opportunity to attend open rehearsals during US tours
- Advance email notice of forthcoming RPO concerts and education activity in the US
Platinum Patron Circle
$20,000 ($2,000 is non tax deductible)
- Naming recognition opportunity for a US outreach project, or UK concert of your choice (subject to availability)
- Invitation to a post-concert dinner in the US or UK
- Opportunity to tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- An additional invitation to attend the RPO Annual Gala Dinner in London
- Option to purchase 2 additional Gala tickets
- Partner with a player - get to know your very own RPO musician, meet him or her at concerts and events and be listed next to your player in RPO own-promotion concert programmes
- Invitation to attend a cocktail reception in the US with Maestro Zukerman
- Complimentary copy of all RPO new release CDs
- Opportunity to meet the RPO Concertmaster and artists backstage following a performance
- One invitation for the RPO Annual Gala Dinner in London
- Two complimentary concert tickets for an RPO concert in the US (subject to availability)
- Two complimentary tickets to an RPO concert in London
- Invitation to an annual cocktail reception in the US
- Acknowledgement in all RPO own-promotion concert programmes, on the Orchestra’s website and in the RPO Annual Report
- Quarterly AFRPO e-newsletter
- A complimentary RPO CD
- Opportunity to attend open rehearsals during US tours
- Advance email notice of forthcoming RPO concerts and education activity in the US
Board of Trustees:
Barry Bloom (President)
Huw Davies (Vice President & Secretary)
James Mead (Treasurer)
David Albright
Les Bider
Richard Chapman
Eileen Foley
James LoGatto
Harry Macklowe
Michele Park
Diamond Circle:
David and Kelly Albright
Les and Lynn Bider
Barry and Lilia Bloom
Richard Chapman
J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Foundation
James and Elaine Mead
Michele Park and Scott Beardsley
Tad Smith and Caroline Fitzgibbons
Laurie Tisch
Robin and Liselotte Vince
Pinchas Zukerman Circle:
Danny and Lillie Bensusan
Jonathan and Kristyn Bloom
Sara K. Bloom
Ambassador Donald and Vera Blinken
Steve and Joy Bunson
Gerald and Kathleen Chamales
Eileen and Josh Foley
David and Alexandra Fox
Gregory and Linda Galdi
Victor and Gail Gartenstein
Scott Greenberg and Alison Zirn
Peter and Jamee Gregory
Rachel and David Grund
IDB Bank
The Irving Harris Foundation
Dame Alice Kandell
Igor and Christina Kryca
Jim LoGatto and Barbara Kataisto
Jerry and Rosanne Lombardo
Harry Macklowe and Patricia Landeau
Jack Martin and Colleen Crowley
Simon and Pauline Milde
Richard and Debra Parkoff
Brett Rousch
Mikhail and Sofia Segal
William and Adrianne Silver
Michael and Laura Tepper
Tommy and Alice Tisch
Greg Zaffiro and Matthew Ailey
Concertmaster Circle
Scott David Greenberg Trust
Levin Capital Strategies LP
Robert Lombardo
Dan Lubin
Sir Thomas Beecham Circle
Robert N & Nancy A Downey Foundation
Alexander Becker
George and Harriet Blank
Ronald Garfunkel
Margaret Hathaway
Bonnie Pfeifer Evans
Bonnie F Rhodes
Terra Capital
The Wagner Family Foundation
Benefactors:
James Black
Vikki Black
Michael van Buskirk
Fred and Melanie Depalma
David Gartenstein
Jane Carter Pomerantz
Zena Tamler
Robert Yaffa
Friends:
Aji Abraham
Christophe Baldridge and David Skerpon
Nancy Browne
Shane Burn and Cathy Clarkin
Terry and Robin Ewert
Kenneth Handal and Mary Francina Golden
John Kirkland
Char Magaro
Jane Murphy
Stewart Oldfield
Dave Osborne Jr and Sandy Bergsten
Mitzi Perdue
Daniel Nathans and Kate Hastings
Bruce Saber
Susan Shinkman
James Wetzler
Elizabeth Zabludoff
For further information please contact:
Huw Davies
americanfriends@rpo.co.uk
+44 20 7608 8825.
