At Carnegie Hall, classical musicians crescendo to end violence

New York — On 19 October 2015 at 8 p.m., principal musicians from the world’s great orchestras, ensembles and academies, will perform at Carnegie Hall, donating their artistry to end violence against women.

A star-studded ensemble will be led by Concertmaster Elmira Darvarova, who was the first female Concertmaster in the history of the MET’s Opera Orchestra. Also performing will be the distinguished Mezzo-Soprano and MET Opera star Susanne Mentzer, a powerful figure of resilience who is a survivor of domestic violence herself. She recently shared her story, “I’m Still Here,” in the Huffington Post, seeking to inspire other women in similar situations.

The benefit concert at Carnegie Hall is the culmination of a series of events in Washington D.C., New Delhi, and New York and will mark the grand finale of the Scheherazade Initiative, a musical concert project which brings together global leaders in the artistic, musical and diplomatic communities to raise funds and public awareness of violence against women and girls.

Created through a partnership between Music for Life International and the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, the initiative uses the power of classical music to connect audiences around the world to the innovative and effective strategies pioneered by UN Trust Fund grantees to eliminate violence against women and girls. The Trust Fund is a leading global grant-making mechanism managed by UN Women on behalf of the UN system.

Performers will include:

• Elmira Darvarova, Concertmaster & Solo Violin (the first female Concertmaster in the history of the MET Opera Orchestra);
• George Mathew, Artistic Director & Conductor;
• Robert Langevin, Principal Flute, New York Philharmonic;
• Susanne Mentzer, Mezzo-Soprano;
• Sarah Kay, Spoken Word Poet;
• as well as musicians from the MET Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and others.

The event will serve as a tribute to the resilience of women, their families, and their communities in the face of violence as well as an urgent call to the global community to take action. The net proceeds will benefit the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.

Tickets range from USD 35 to USD 125 and can be purchased at carnegiehall.org, at CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800, or at the Box Office at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. ($10 student/senior discount with ID at the box office; 10% off for groups emailing [ Click to reveal ].)