This Sunday, at 7pm (BST), the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a virtual gala hosted by Dame Helen Mirren. All proceeds raised will go to directly supporting the Orchestra as it recovers from the devastating financial toll of Covid-19 and the resulting concert hall closures.

The event will feature performances by Lahav Shani, the orchestra’s Music Director Designate, Israel Philharmonic musicians and the Orchestra’s closest friends: Yefim Bronfman, Khatia Buniatishvili, Martin Fröst, Evgeny Kissin, Chen Reiss, Sir András Schiff, Gil Shaham, Pinchas Zukerman and Amanda Forsyth. The programme will also include special messages from Zubin Mehta, the IPO’s Music Director Emeritus, Gianandrea Noseda, its Principal Guest Conductor and the violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman.

The gala will be available to stream internationally, free of charge. Registration is required and the gala will stream on the IPO’s website and at Medici TV. Viewers will be able to donate as they watch the gala and afterwards.

‘I’m thrilled to be hosting the Israel Philharmonic's first-ever global gala,’ said Academy Award-winning actress and the gala's host, Dame Helen Mirren. ‘This is not just a way to support the future of a world-class cultural institution since proceeds from the event will help recover some of the revenue lost during the current pandemic. This is also an opportunity to honour music's power to unify us during challenging times.’