As part of a series of events organized to mark the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the important Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů to New York, the Czech Center in New York together with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York organized a concert entitled "From Dvořák to Martinů: A Recital by Ester Pavlů". The concert, which took place at the Bohemian National Hall on December 7, 2021, featured works by Czech composers Dvořák, Janáček and Martinů, as well as Slovak folk songs and, as an encore, well-known opera arias performed by the well-known Czech mezzo-soprano, soloist of the National Theatre, Ester Pavlů, and Slovak opera singer Vladimír Chmel, accompanied by Ahmed Hedar on piano.
The opera gala evening of mezzo-soprano Ester Pavlů was a valuable cultural experience for more than 200 participants - well-known personalities of the NY cultural scene, as well as the diplomatic corps, the compatriot community, and the professional public and music critics, including the Metropolitan Opera of New York City.
Gratias Agit is an award given since 1997 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic for spreading the good name of the Czech Republic abroad. It is awarded to individuals and organizations for exemplary activities in the non-governmental sphere. 

BIO of Professor Michael Beckerman: 
Professor Michael Beckerman is the Carroll and Milton Petrie Chair and University Professor of Music at New York University. His extensive career as a musicologist has always been associated with Czech and Moravian, as well as Eastern European music, among others. An accomplished musician and pianist, Professor Beckerman was able to combine a deep understanding of Czech music with brilliant theoretical reflection. Professor Beckerman has made a tremendous contribution to the popularization of Czech music in the United States. For many years he was a contributing editor to the New York Times in the field of classical music.
He has been awarded many honorary prizes for his extraordinary work on the Czech music scene, he  is a member of the Comenius Academic Club (2019), a member of the Honorary Board of the Society of Terezín Composers, an Honorary Member of the Czech Musicological Society (2018), a Special Honorary Member of the Bohemian National Hall (2018), and a Special Honorary Member of the Bohemian National Hall (2018). 2015), received an honorary doctorate from Palacký University (2014), Order of Merit of the Parliament of the Czech Republic (2004), member of the Janáček Foundation Council (since 2003), laureate of the Czech Music Council (2000), awarded the Dvořák Society Medal (1991), Martinů Society Medal (1990), Janáček Medal of the Czech Music Ministry (1988).
Professor Beckerman is the author of numerous books on Czech composers, including Martinů's Mysterious Accident, ed., 2007 Pendragon Press, Janáček and His World, ed. Princeton University Press, 2003, New Worlds of Dvořák. W. W. Norton: Dvořák's Works, Prague: Dvořák Publishing House, 2003, Janáček and Czech Music, ed. Michael Beckerman and Glen Bauer, Pendragon Press, 1995, Janáček the Theorist. Pendragon Press, 1994, Dvořák and His World, ed. Princeton University Press, 1993. He is currently working on a book: The Doctrine of One.