The New York Philharmonic, in a cultural breakthrough between
America and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, plans to
perform in Pyongyan in February, the orchestra's president said
Monday.
The concert will be Feb. 26, said Zarin Mehta, the
Philharmonic's president and executive director. He refused to give
further details, saying a formal announcement of the trip is
scheduled for Tuesday.
DPRK's Ministry of Culture sent the orchestra an invitation in
August. In October, Mehta spent six days in DPR Korea exploring
venues and other arrangements for a potential concert in
Pyongyang.
The Philharmonic is following a path cut by orchestras that
played a role in diplomacy. In 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra
traveled to China soon after President Nixon's historic visit. In
1956, the Boston Symphony became the first American orchestra to
perform in the Soviet Union.
(Agencies via Xinhua December 12, 2007)