Alan Gilbert to Lead NY Phil with Soloists Eric Owens & Heidi Melton in January

Bass-baritone Eric Owens will continue his tenure as The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in- Residence with performances, led by Music Director Alan Gilbert, of Richard Strauss songs - "Ruhe, meine Seele," Op. 27, No. 1; "Ca?cilie," Op. 27, No. 2; "Pilgers Morgenlied," Op. 33, No. 4 - and the Final Scene from Act III of Die Walku?re, alongside soprano Heidi Melton in her Philharmonic debut. The program also includes Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries and Sibelius's En saga, one of several programs this season honoring the 150th anniversary of Sibelius's birth. The performances take place Thursday, January 7, 2016, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, January 8 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, January 9 at 8:00 p.m.; and Tuesday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m.

These performances mark Mr. Owens's first time singing Wotan in New York. He has been widely acclaimed for his mastery of the German Romantic repertoire, including his celebrated performance as Alberich in The Metropolitan Opera's 2012 production of Wagner's Ring Cycle. These Philharmonic performances precede Mr. Owens's appearances as Wotan in Lyric Opera of Chicago's upcoming Ring Cycle, beginning in the 2016-17 season.

"Eric is the quintessential Wotan," Alan Gilbert said. "His voice is perfect for the role, and he can bring out its complexity - its heroism, but also its vulnerability. Performing it without staging can be a challenge, but Eric's singing is so expressive that he will bring the character to life through his voice alone. In this he will be helped by the Philharmonic musicians, who can play Wagner's technically difficult passages not only with flair but also with amazing tonal depth. Conducting Wagner with this Orchestra is more than a dream-come-true; they have a quintessential way with his music."

he Saturday Matinee Concert on January 9 at 2:00 p.m. opens with Grieg's String Quartet, with Philharmonic Concertmaster Frank Huang, Principal Associate Concertmaster Sheryl Staples, Principal Viola Cynthia Phelps, and Principal Cello Carter Brey. The rest of the program features Sibelius's Symphony No. 4, conducted by Alan Gilbert.

Photo by Chris Lee