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Robert De Niro Channels Lincoln at Tibet House Benefit Concert Amid Political Tensions
Robert De Niro made a surprise appearance at Carnegie Hall Tuesday night, stepping onto the stage to enthusiastic applause during the 39th annual benefit concert for Tibet House US. The Academy Award-winning actor, known for iconic roles in films like “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull,” offered no personal commentary but instead recited Abraham Lincoln’s call for civility from his 1838 Lyceum Address.
“Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defense,” De Niro stated, his delivery growing more confident as he continued. “Let those materials be molded into general intelligence, sound morality, and in particular, a reverence for the constitution and laws.”
Though De Niro avoided explicit political statements during his performance, the choice of Lincoln’s speech—a warning against mob violence delivered to a young debating society in Springfield, Illinois—carried unmistakable contemporary resonance. The actor has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump over the past decade.
The Lincoln address has special significance beyond the night’s performance. Composer Philip Glass, co-director of the benefit concert, had used it as inspiration for his Symphony No. 15, titled “Lincoln.” Glass had planned to premiere the work at the Kennedy Center in June but canceled the performance after Trump removed the center’s leadership, citing a conflict between the Kennedy Center’s current values and the symphony’s message.
Last month, Trump announced the Kennedy Center would close in July for a two-year construction period. The announcement followed numerous high-profile artist withdrawals, including Renée Fleming, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Bela Fleck.
The nearly three-hour benefit showcased a diverse lineup of performers, including Laurie Anderson, Elvis Costello, Maya Hawke, and Allison Russell. While direct references to Trump were rare, political undertones permeated many performances through critiques of various policies and social issues.
Elvis Costello had the audience clapping along to his rendition of “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding,” a Nick Lowe composition that has maintained its relevance more than five decades after it was written. Backstage, Costello reflected on the “millions” of meanings he perceived in the night’s performances.
The evening began with an invocation by the Drepung Gomang Monks, setting the stage for a global musical journey. Performances ranged from Glass and Anderson’s avant-garde compositions to folk, gospel, and protest songs. The program also featured poetry and innovative interpretations of popular music, including a duet of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” by Russell and Toro y Moi (Chaz Bear), who also performed Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.”
Among the evening’s more intimate moments was an unfinished song by Christian Lee Hutson, who promised the audience he would continue developing it. Hutson later performed a duet with Maya Hawke, daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. The couple, who married on Valentine’s Day, added a personal touch to the proceedings.
The concert opened with remarks from Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman, Maya’s grandfather and co-founder of Tibet House US. Thurman praised the assembled artists and spoke about everyone’s right to happiness, setting an optimistic tone for an evening that balanced artistic celebration with subtle political commentary.
Throughout the night, performers created a tapestry of sound that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries while highlighting the universal language of music as a force for unity and understanding during politically divided times.
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7 Comments
The choice of Lincoln’s speech on civility was a shrewd one by De Niro, given the current political climate. Reciting the words of one of America’s most revered leaders sends a powerful message about the importance of reason and respect, even in the face of deep divisions.
While De Niro has been a vocal critic of Trump, his decision to focus on Lincoln’s call for civility and reason is a welcome departure from partisan mudslinging. Promoting democratic values through the arts is a powerful way to reach people across the political spectrum.
Interesting to see a Hollywood icon like De Niro recite Lincoln’s call for civility and reason in these polarized times. While his acting roles have often been edgy, it’s good to see him use his platform to promote the democratic values Lincoln championed.
De Niro’s reading of Lincoln’s Lyceum Address is a timely reminder that we must rely on facts and morality, not mob mentality, to address our challenges. Thoughtful political discourse is essential, even when emotions run high.
It’s heartening to see a high-profile figure like De Niro use his platform to highlight the importance of civic virtue and constitutional principles. In these polarized times, we could all benefit from reflecting on Lincoln’s timeless wisdom.
As someone who has played some iconic tough-guy roles, it’s interesting to see De Niro take on a more statesmanlike persona by reciting Lincoln’s words. It shows the depth and range of his talent as an actor.
While De Niro’s political views are well known, his performance of Lincoln’s Lyceum Address transcends partisan lines. By focusing on the importance of reason, morality, and respect for the Constitution, he reminds us of the core values that should guide our public discourse.