Zubin Mehta
Zubin MehtaIsrael news photo: Flash 90

 

President Shimon Peres will host a festive concert at Beit HaNassi (the President’s Residence) on Monday evening, celebrating 50 years in which conductor Zubin Mehta has worked with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO). 
 
Mehta and the IPO will perform works by Strauss, Beethoven and Puccini. The concert will take in the Beit HaNassi garden and will include all of the IPO’s musicians, conducted by Mehta. 
 
Soprano Chen Reiss will perform as well. 
 
Supporters of the IPO will attend the event along with young adults from the Negev and Galilee. The concert also marks the 75th anniversary of the IPO.
 
President Peres, in an unusual move, decided to host the concert at Beit HaNassi in order to honor Mehta.
 
President Peres said: "Zubin Mehta has become an ambassador of good will representing the State of Israel and has improved Israel's image throughout the world as a result."
 
Zubin Mehta, who is Indian and not Jewish, said: "I have been friendly with President Peres for decades and am one of his great admirers. I am very moved by this great honor. The IPO would have never achieved such worldwide success without the assistance of the State of Israel. After so many years Israel is also a home for me."
 
The IPO was founded in 1936.