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The Summer Recital Series, launched last year and again presented in collaboration with City Parks Foundation, features six free concerts in all five boroughs. No tickets are required. The opening recital kicks off at Central Park SummerStage at 8:00 pm with acclaimed baritone Nathan Gunn joined by rising opera stars Susanna Phillips (soprano) and Michael Fabiano (tenor). They will be accompanied by pianists Julie Gunn and Jonathan Kelly.

Following the SummerStage program on July 12, subsequent performances of the Met's Summer Recital Series will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m., through July 29. The park venues are Central Park (Manhattan), Crotona Park (Bronx), Queens Bridge Park (Queens), Jackie Robinson Park (Manhattan), Brooklyn Bridge Park (Brooklyn), and Tappen Park (Staten Island). All recitals are approximately one hour, with the exception of the Brooklyn concert, which is 90 minutes.

"City Parks Foundation is thrilled to partner with the Metropolitan Opera again this year to bring the Met's Summer Recital Series to audiences throughout New York City," said David Rivel, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation. "City Parks Foundation has a long history of bringing free performances right into neighborhood parks, and this series will only further connect people with their park through the arts."

"The Metropolitan Opera's annual concert series in New York City's parks is one of the most beloved summertime traditions in the city," said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "I would like to thank the Met and City Parks Foundation for continuing to bring world-class performances to free and unique outdoor settings in neighborhood parks. Once again, this year's program is sure to inspire a whole new generation of opera lovers."

The Met's Summer Recital Series

Monday, July 12, 2010 at 8:00 pm: Central Park SummerStage
Nathan Gunn, baritone
Susanna Phillips, soprano
Michael Fabiano, tenor
Jonathan Kelly/Julie Gunn, pianists

Thursday, July 15, 2010, 7:00 pm: Crotona Park, Bronx
Monica Yunus, soprano
Matthew Plenk, tenor
Donovan Singletary, bass-baritone
Jonathan Kelly, pianist

Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 7:00 pm: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
Susanna Phillips, soprano
Michael Fabiano, tenor
Jonathan Kelly, pianist

Thursday, July 22, 2010, 7:00 pm: Tappen Park, Staten Island
Monica Yunus, soprano
Matthew Plenk, tenor
Donovan Singletary, bass-baritone
Jonathan Kelly, pianist

Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 7:00 pm: Queens Bridge Park, Queens
Monica Yunus, soprano
Matthew Plenk, tenor
Donovan Singletary, bass-baritone
Jonathan Kelly, pianist

Thursday, July 29, 2010, 7:00 pm: Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan
Monica Yunus, soprano
Matthew Plenk, tenor
Donovan Singletary, bass-baritone
Jonathan Kelly, pianist

All recitals are free and no tickets are required. For additional information, please call (212) 362-6000 or visit the Met website at www.metopera.org/parks.