Who Pays for “Messiah”?
In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making ‘Messiah’” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic.
An episode of the Freakonomics Radio podcast, hosted by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher, titled "Who Pays for “Messiah”?" was published on December 17, 2025 and runs 42 minutes.
December 17, 2025 ·42m · Freakonomics Radio
Summary
In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making ‘Messiah’” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic.
Episode Description
In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making Messiah” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic.
- SOURCES:
- Gary Parr, senior managing director and on the management committee at Apollo, philanthropist.
- RESOURCES:
- "A Notoriously Jinxed Concert Hall Is Reborn, Again," by Michael Kimmelman (New York Times, 2022).
- "Apollo’s New Guy Is a Legend in Banking, a Novice in Buyouts," by Sonali Basak (Bloomberg, 2017).
- “Handel’s Messiah,” performed by The London Symphony Orchestra (2007).
- "Racial/Ethnic and Gender Diversity in the Orchestra Field," by James Doeser (League of American Orchestras).
- Parr Prize for Excellence in Teaching Shakespeare.
- EXTRAS:
- "Making Messiah," series by Freakonomics Radio (2025).
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