Zarin Mehta

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Zarin Mehta (Chris Lee)

Zarin Mehta, one of the world's leading arts administrators, was appointed Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic in September 2000, and received the additional title of President in June 2004.

Through his deep ties to the global arts community, he has made the New York Philharmonic a magnet for the world's great artists, both rising stars and established performers, on the Orchestra's stage and on the podium. One of his proudest accomplishments was the appointment, in September 2002, of Lorin Maazel as Music Director, whose contract has now been extended through the 2008–09 season.

Mr. Mehta has continually sought to enrich and broaden the musical experience of Philharmonic audiences both in the U.S. and abroad by fostering an active commissioning program, by instituting innovative series of lectures and discussions, and by overseeing major international Orchestra tours, including the 75th Anniversary European Tour in September and November 2005. He has maintained the Philharmonic's preeminent position in the cultural life of New York through the Free, Annual Memorial Day Concerts at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, the New York Philharmonic Time Warner Concerts in the Parks, and the annual performances of Handel's Messiah at The Riverside Church. He has made outreach to young people a priority, continuing the famed Young People's Concerts, expanding the Orchestra's extensive educational activities, which include a School Partnership Program and School Day Concerts, and introducing a new series, Very Young People's Concerts, for children ages 3–5. In addition, he has broadened the Orchestra's national radio broadcasts, overseeing the development of The New York Philharmonic This Week — the only weekly, national radio broadcast of an American orchestra.

Prior to his New York Philharmonic appointment, Mr. Mehta was president and chief executive officer of Chicago 's Ravinia Festival (1990–2000). Born in Bombay , he qualified as a chartered accountant in 1962 in England and moved to Canada to join the firm of Coopers & Lybrand. While a partner there, he joined the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, and in 1981, was appointed managing director. He is the son of the late violinist and Bombay Symphony Orchestra founder, Mehli Mehta, and the brother of conductor Zubin Mehta, former New York Philharmonic's Music Director.