Take This Down, It’s Richard Tucker Day

By mayoral proclamation, New York City honors legendary tenor Richard Tucker today, on what would have been his 99th birthday. Centennial year celebrations get underway with a 5 p.m. gathering at, where else, Richard Tucker Square, between 65th and 66th on Broadway, that will include soprano Renée Fleming and other artists. Tucker’s recordings will be played in the square throughout the day. 

The Brooklyn-born tenor appeared with the Philharmonic almost 20 times, in performances ranging from operatic favorites to Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand. His work as a cantor will also be recognized this evening on the Lower East Side, in a performance including tenor Paul Appleby, recipient of a 2011 Richard Tucker Music Foundation grant, who made his Phlharmonic debut in June. 

(photo: Tucker as Roldolfo in Puccini’s La boheme, one of his most famous roles. © Richard Tucker Music Foundation) 

Kick-Start

Tenor Nicholas Phan — who performed in the New York Philharmonic’s Carmina burana in May and returns next season during The Bach Variations — is taking his Fortuna into his own hands by using the buzzed-about start-up Kickstarter to raise funds for his new album, The Heart of the Matter, part of his quest to record the music of Benjamin Britten. Nick has until July 11 to meet his goal. The Phil has invested in Phan, and now you can too; check out the project here.