New York City Opera Presents Free Concerts 6/26, 6/26, & 6/27

New York City Opera, in conjunction with the River To River Festival, will present three consecutive nights of free concerts at different venues along Lower Manhattans spectacular waterfront: The Magic Flute at Rockefeller Park (June 25), La Navarraise at World Financial Center Winter Garden (June 26), and Opera on the Pier, a concert of operatic favorite arias and ensembles, at The Seaports Pier 17 (June 27). All performances will feature the New York City Opera Orchestra and singers.

Founded in 2002 to revitalize Lower Manhattan by bringing the arts to new audiences and new artists to public attention, the River To River Festival is New Yorks largest free summer arts festival. New York City Opera is thrilled to make music available to the ears of the widest possible audience, with three distinct varied programs for the opera novice or expert alike.

The River To River Festival is thrilled to join with New York City Opera in bringing three nights of free opera to festival-goers this year, said Valerie Lewis, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communication for the Downtown Alliance. At a time when audiences need art and inspiration more than ever, we are determined to bring them outstanding, world-class entertainment at a price that cant be beat.

The River To River Festival, presented by American Express, is a collaboration of Lower Manhattans major cultural event producers including the Alliance for Downtown New York, arts>World Financial Center, Battery Park City Authority, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Port Authority of NY & NJ, and The Seaport. These partners are firmly committed to using the arts as a tool for revitalization and to the development of new audiences for the arts.

Free admission to River To River® events is underwritten by a wide range of funders, led by the Festival's Founding Title Sponsor, American Express. Major support is provided by the Festival's Producing Partners, including, NBC Local Media New York and WNYC New York Public Radio. Vital support comes from our Supporting Funders, including, Century 21 Department Stores, JetBlue Airways, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, KEXP, and The Village Voice. Participating Funders are CB Richard Ellis, EmblemHealth, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, The Moodys Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, New York Marriott Downtown, New York State Council on the Arts, New York Stock Exchange Foundation, and TKTS Seaport. For more information on this years festival, visit www.RiverToRiverNYC.com.