NEW YORK—SUNY College of Optometry is inviting all art, history and music lovers to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the debut of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which originally took place on the site of its midtown campus here. Composer George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1898 and the one-night only special event, to be held Feb. 12, 2024, will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Gershwin’s iconic masterpiece in the SUNY Optometry’s Schwarz Theater.

The College’s 42nd Street Campus once housed Aeolian Hall, the concert venue where Gershwin debuted Rhapsody in Blue on Feb. 12, 1924.

Grammy nominated brass soloist and acclaimed Carnegie Hall performer Jens Lindemann will lead a dynamic international collection of musicians paying tribute to Gershwin and the Centennial Celebration of Rhapsody in Blue. The musical program will feature the Gershwin classic performed by an internationally acclaimed piano soloist and an All-Star Big Band along with other notable pieces from Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey and other hits from the Golden Jazz Age in New York City.

 
 
A complete detailed program with participating artists will be released in the coming weeks along with ticketing information.

The Kaleidoscope of Sound exclusive musical concert will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the SUNY College of Optometry's midtown facility in the Schwarz Theater.

Advanced registration will be required as there is limited seating; tickets will go on sale in November 2023.


George Gershwin.

Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center, one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation.