Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, the San Francisco Sympony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Ragnar Bohlin, Lisa Delan, Robin Sutherland, Placido Domingo and Frederica von Stade gathered onstage at Davies Symphony Hall on January 6, 2014, in a concert salute to Gordon Getty. The event celebrated Getty’s 80th birthday and featured the world premiere of his new work A Prayer for My Daughter, along with his Four Dickinson Songs and three movements from his Ancestor Suite. The occasion marked Placido Domingo’s first performance with the San Francisco Symphony since his debut with the Orchestra more than 40 years ago, in 1973.
Prior to the tribute concert, some 400 guests joined Vanessa and Billy Getty for a celebratory dinner in Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall. Event designer Stanlee Gatti hung thousands of red ribbons from the ceiling, placed red roses on long tables with white cloths and covered each chair with a Getty cartoon image.
Scenes from A Salute to Gordon Getty:
Photos by Moanalani Jeffrey Photography
Esteemed composer, philanthropist and generous supporter of the San Francisco Symphony, Gordon Getty has served on San Francisco Symphony Board of Governors since 1979. Getty and his wife Ann have provided leadership and financial support for some of the Symphony’s most important initiatives, including the acoustic renovation of Davies Symphony Hall in 1990, the Grammy award-winning Mahler recording cycle, and the Orchestra’s international tours. Gordon Getty is the fourth son of the late oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty.
