The Knights, the young chamber orchestra, held their annual benefit, a concert and dinner in Tribeca. Mela Hacklish, their board chair, extoled, “To everyone here we offer sincere thanks for your extraordinary partnership and support that empowers our musical innovation. We’ve many surprises for you tonight!” and thus the orchestra launching onto a stunning concert that included Mozart, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich as well as contemporary music.
Pianist Inon Barnantan joined the orchestra on stage with Knights co-founder and conductor Eric Jacobsen welcoming him, “Inon’s invested in the future of The Knightsand what we’re doing”. Virtuoso clarinetist Kinan Azmeh performed an original composition, “Wedding” and offered, “Falling in love is one of the true human rights that no one can take away from us. This music I hope is a little like that.” Closing with gospel, Aoife O’Donovan, folk singer and wife of The Knights co-founder Colin Jacobsen, lead the audience to sing the refrain of “I’ll Fly Away”. Ending with a performance of “The Big Noise from Winneta”, The Knights received a standing ovation.
Guests included board members Guillame Cuvelier, Audrey Francis, Carmela Hacklisch, Graham Parker, Paul Sekhri, Kambiz Shekdar, Miranda Sielaff, and Gary Wasserman as well as guests Véronique Bich, Joanna Fisher, Michelle Gerber Klein, Thea Musgrave, Peter Mark, Susan Rose, Reni Rothschild, Julie Salomon, Connie Steensma, and Ann Zif.
Pictured:
Eric Jabocsen
Mela Hacklish, Dale Lewis