Chris Lee/The New York Philharmonic Alec Baldwin and Zarin Mehta in 2009.It is more generally the custom for a new bride and groom to get presents rather than to give them. But two days after Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas were married at a star-studded and music-filled wedding in Manhattan, the New York Philharmonic said on Monday that it had received a gift of $1 million from Mr. Baldwin to honor Zarin Mehta, its outgoing president and executive director.
Mr. Baldwin, the actor and “30 Rock” star, is a member of the Philharmonic’s board and the host of its radio show, “The New York Philharmonic This Week”; he is also an enthusiastic advocate for that orchestra, which he has plugged in the occasional Capital One credit card commercial.
The Philharmonic said the gift from Mr. Baldwin was a donation of his proceeds from his Capital One campaign. Mr. Baldwin said in a statement: “I have loved classical music all of my life, but Zarin Mehta made my dream of becoming part of the world of classical music come true. I will miss working with him directly, but will always bear in mind his passion, commitment, and insight as I continue my work with the New York Philharmonic. Zarin has my best wishes for the future, and I look forward to continuing our rich, musical friendship.”
Mr. Mehta, who will conclude his tenure at the end of the Philharmonic’s 2011-12 season, said in a statement that Mr. Baldwin’s gift “humbles me and inspires me to continue to contribute to the art form in any way I can.”