Yamaha Pianos And The Metropolitan Opera Dazzle In New York City Parks

BUENA PARK, Calif. — As the official piano of the Metropolitan Opera, Yamaha keyboard instruments are routinely put to the test. Summer 2010 has been one of the hottest on record in the New York City area and the CFIIIS and MPC7 pianos that Yamaha delivered for the Met’s Summer Recital Series, held in six city parks located in all five boroughs, performed well in the face of extreme heat and humidity.

Yamaha provided a special covering for the instruments, including a special blanket made of reflective material, which prevents the sunlight from damaging the finish.

In addition to the weather, accessibility to the stage areas at some parks required delicate handling, conducted with aplomb by trusted movers with whom Yamaha has longstanding relationships.

“The same Yamaha C7 traveled throughout the city’s parks,” said Christopher Kennedy, resident piano technician at the Met. “Unlike other pianos, the Yamaha piano action has always weathered the humidity of the summer. It’s reliably responsive, with minimum regulation required and this tour was no exception. After stabilizing the pitch at A440, in heat that sometimes neared 100 degrees, it and the tuning remained solid.”

“Yamaha and The Metropolitan Opera have had a beautiful partnership,” said James Steeber, Director of Yamaha Artist Services, Inc. “Whether on its main stage or out in Central Park, we make beautiful music together comprising the world’s largest performing arts organization wedded to the world’s largest musical instrument maker.”

With over 40 pianos in-house, the Metropolitan Opera puts large demands on its fleet of Yamaha pianos, a third of which are replaced every year.

The free recital series produced performances at Central Park in Manhattan, Jackie Robinson Park in Manhattan, Crotona Park in The Bronx, Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, Tappen Park in Staten Island and Queensbridge Park in Queens.

Reviewing the “delightful” first performance at Central Park SummerStage, The New York Times lauded the “enjoyable program of arias, duets, trios and American songs sung by three appealing artists” attended by a “large, eager audience.”

For more information about Yamaha Pianos, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; call (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit http://www.yamaha.com/press.