| Tickets on Sale to the Public July 31, 2025 Orchestra After 5 Happy Hour Series to Continue in 2025–26with Three Concerts: Alpine Adventure, Italian Getaway,and Postcards from Spain Five Family Concerts Added: Children’s Halloween Spectacular,Children’s Holiday Spectacular, Peter and the Wolf,The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, and Hip-Hop Orchestra The Orchestra Returns to Carnegie Hall for Four PerformancesOctober 31, March 10, March 31, and May 29 Film Concert Added: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™September 26–28 Concertmaster David Kim to Lead One-Night-Only ConcertFeaturing Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Concerto for Two Cellos Featuring Principal Cello Hai-Ye Niand Associate Principal Cello Priscilla LeeNovember 7 Cristian Măcelaru to Conduct Joint Performance withMembers of The Philadelphia Orchestra andInterlochen Arts Academy Students featuringWynton Marsalis’s Cello Concerto with Yo-Yo MaMarch 13 Assistant Conductor Naomi Woo to Lead “Musicians’ Choice” Program, Featuring Repertoire Selected by Musicians of the Orchestra and Featuring Principal Bass Joseph ConyersMay 7–9 |
| (Philadelphia, July 28, 2025)—The Philadelphia Orchestra turns 125 on November 16, 2025, as America begins the celebration of its 250th anniversary. Throughout the 2025–26 season, Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra will look to the past and future simultaneously, celebrating the Orchestra’s essential place in American musical life, and in the birthplace of American democracy, as well as its historic and contemporary role as a musical innovator. As Nézet-Séguin and the Orchestra prepare for the 2025–26 season, updates have been made to select programs, and concerts have been added to the schedule. The complete concert calendar can be found here. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 31 at www.philorch.org or by calling 215.893.1999. The Orchestra’s popular happy hour series, Orchestra After 5, will return for the third year in a row with three casual, after-work performances throughout the 2025–26 season. Former Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève kicks off the series with Strauss’s An Alpine Symphony (October 9). Dalia Stasevska will lead Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 (“Italian”) and John Williams’s Tuba Concerto featuring Principal Tuba Carol Jantsch (January 15). The final Orchestra After 5 will invoke a Spanish flair featuring music from Bizet’s Carmen and Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat, and Ravel’s Bolero (May 14). Each program will feature themed cocktails and activities in Commonwealth Plaza at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts beginning at 5 PM, followed by a one-hour concert at 6:30 PM and a post-concert talkback with a host and artists in Marian Anderson Hall. Family Concerts will return for the 2025–26 season with five engaging performances for young listeners and their families. Assistant Conductor Naomi Woo will lead the Children’s Halloween Spectacular where guests are encouraged to come in costume to experience a concert of well-known works that invoke the eerie spirit of Halloween (October 18). The Children’s Holiday Spectacular will transport families to the North Pole with iconic holiday tunes, sing-alongs, and a visit from Santa Claus himself (December 20). Woo and audience-favorite narrator Michael Boudewyns will join forces for an engaging performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf (February 7). The pair will reunite and be joined by Sara Valentine for a performance of Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra (March 14), which received its United States premiere by The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1947. The final Family Concert, Hip-Hop Orchestra, will bring together the powerful beats of hip-hop and the sweeping sounds of the Orchestra. This first-of-its-kind experience will bridge genres and generations by combining the classics with the contemporary (May 2). The Philadelphia Orchestra will travel to New York’s famed Carnegie Hall for four performances throughout the 2025–26 season. Nézet-Séguin will lead the Orchestra in William Grant Still’s Wood Notes and Brahms’s Symphony No. 4, and Emanuel Ax will celebrate 50 years since his Philadelphia Orchestra debut with a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (October 31). Soprano Ying Fang and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato will join Nézet-Séguin for a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”) (March 10). Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop will lead the New York premiere of John Adams’s The Rock You Stand On after giving the world premiere of the piece in Philadelphia, and she will be joined by Hayato Sumino playing Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F (March 31). Finally, one night after giving the world premiere of the piece, Nézet-Séguin, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will perform Wynton Marsalis’s “Liberty” Symphony alongside Julia Wolfe’s Liberty Bell (both in their New York premieres) and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 (May 29).Adding to its film series, the Orchestra will perform John Williams’s score to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets live while the film is projected on the big screen in Marian Anderson Hall (September 26–28). Concertmaster David Kim will serve as leader and soloist in an audience favorite program featuring Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. This one-night-only concert will also showcase the prowess of Principal Cello Hai-Ye Ni and Associate Principal Cello Priscilla Lee in her solo debut with the Orchestra in Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos and the sweeping sounds of the Orchestra’s strings in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (November 7). Former Conductor-in-Residence Cristian Măcelaru will lead a joint performance between musicians of the Orchestra and Interlochen Arts Academy students, featuring Wynton Marsalis’s new Cello Concerto with Yo-Yo Ma, Reena Esmail’s RE|member, and a reimagined performance of Charles Ives’s Symphony No. 4, including multidisciplinary elements by students from all seven of the Academy’s artistic disciplines (March 13). András Schiff has canceled his United States appearances for the 2025–26 season. In lieu of his performances in May, Assistant Conductor Naomi Woo will lead a “Musicians’ Choice” program featuring Principal Bass Joseph Conyers making his Philadelphia Orchestra solo debut with Tan Dun’s Contrabass Concerto: Wolf Totem. Musicians will speak from the stage to elaborate on the program, which will also include Mozart’s Overture to Così fan tutte, Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, and Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber (May 7–9). Program changes and event descriptions can be found below. Please note that these updates supersede previous press materials related to these concerts. All programs are subject to change. *US premiere given by The Philadelphia Orchestra**World premiere given by The Philadelphia Orchestra September 25—Opening Night Repertoire Change: Ravel’s Suite No. 2 from Daphnis and Chloe has been replaced by Julia Wolfe’s Pretty.Event Addition—Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert September 26 at 7:00 PM—Friday evening—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts September 27 at 2:00 PM—Saturday afternoon—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts September 28 at 2:00 PM—Sunday afternoon—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Justin Freer Conductor Williams Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (complete with film) Cars fly, trees fight back, and monsters are on the loose in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Experience Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in high definition on a giant screen while The Philadelphia Orchestra performs John Williams’s unforgettable score. Relive every magical moment as the music brings life to a story that has enchanted the world. All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR |
| Event Addition—Orchestra After 5: Alpine Adventure October 9 at 6:30 PM—Thursday evening—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Stéphane Denève Conductor Strauss An Alpine Symphony An Alpine Symphony is an epic sonic hike, from sunrise to storm to starry-night descent. Feel the rush of mountain air, the thrill of the climb, and the drama of nature in full force—all packed into one unforgettable hour of music. Come early for happy hour specials, stay late for a casual conversation with the conductor, and take in a concert that’s anything but ordinary. Big sound, big views, and a seriously elevated evening. 5:00 PM: Pre-concert fun 6:30 PM: 60-minute Philadelphia Orchestra concert 7:30 PM: Post-concert talkback with the stars Event Addition—Family Concert: Children’s Halloween Spectacular October 18 at 11:30 AM—Saturday morning—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Naomi Woo Conductor Get out your cat ears and witches’ hats and join The Philadelphia Orchestra as we go on a haunted orchestral adventure! From classic Halloween tunes to family-friendly favorites, we have a bewitching lineup that will delight ghosts and goblins of all ages. So, get your costumes on and gather your little monsters for a morning of music, laughter, and Halloween fun! |
| October 24–26—Yannick Conducts Tchaikovsky Program Title Change: The previous program title, Sibelius, Higdon, and Tchaikovsky, has been replaced with Yannick Conducts Tchaikovsky. |
| Event Addition—Carnegie Hall October 31 at 8:00 PM—Friday evening—Carnegie Hall Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Emanuel Ax Piano Still Wood Notes** Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 Brahms Symphony No. 4 Fifty years ago, a young pianist made his Philadelphia Orchestra debut amidst a whirlwind series of triumphs including winning the first Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition and the Avery Fisher Prize. Celebrate Emanuel Ax’s extraordinary career, and his special connection to this Orchestra, with a performance of Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, the perfect showcase for his “sublime … strength and warmth of tone” (Limelight) |
| Event Addition—The Four Seasons November 7 at 7:30 PM—Friday evening—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts David Kim Leader and ViolinHai-Ye Ni CelloPriscilla Lee Cello—Philadelphia Orchestra Solo Debut Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3Vivaldi Concerto for Two Cellos Vivaldi The Four Seasons Don’t miss this audience favorite program for one night only! Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons stands as the pinnacle of Baroque music. These four spectacular violin concertos uniquely personify the seasons through music, skillfully capturing the tumultuous fury of thunderstorms, the crystalline clarity of breaking ice, and the lively melodies of twittering birds. Each concerto unfolds with vivid imagery and emotional depth, painting a vibrant musical portrait of nature’s ever-changing moods and landscapes. Also on the program are Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. The Bach is a prime example of the elegance and majesty of his Baroque string ensembles. Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos is a unique demonstration of virtuosic prowess for Principal Cello Hai-Ye Ni and Associate Principal Cello Priscilla Lee, making her Orchestra solo debut. This concert is also a stunning showcase for Philadelphia Orchestra Concertmaster David Kim, who serves as leader and soloist. |
| November 19—Galilee Chamber Orchestra Repertoire Change: Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9 has been replaced by his Piano Concerto No. 23. |
| Date Change—Brodsky Star Spotlight Series: Hilary Hahn and Lang Lang The Brodsky Star Spotlight Series recital with Hilary Hahn and Lang Lang has been rescheduled from Saturday, December 6, to Thursday, December 4. |
| December 12–14: Handel’s Messiah Artist Addition:Lucy Crowe Soprano Jakub Józef Orliński Countertenor—Philadelphia Orchestra Debut Frédéric Antoun Tenor—Philadelphia Orchestra Debut Quinn Kelsey Baritone—Philadelphia Orchestra Debut |
| Event Addition—Family Concert: Children’s Holiday Spectacular December 20 at 11:30 AM—Saturday morning—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Join us for a joyful holiday celebration filled with sing-alongs, your favorite sounds of the season, and special guests! Delight in the warmth of the holiday season right here in the Kimmel Center and create cherished memories with the whole family at this heartwarming event that is perfect for all ages. Plus, you might want to listen closely for sleigh bells—you never know who might pay a special visit all the way from the North Pole! Event Addition—Orchestra After 5: Italian Getaway January 15 at 6:30 PM—Thursday evening—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Dalia Stasevska ConductorCarol Jantsch Tuba Williams Tuba ConcertoMendelssohn Symphony No. 4 (“Italian”) Ready for a winter escape? Jet off to sun-drenched Italy with Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony and blast off with a rare gem by legendary film composer John Williams: his bold and joyful Tuba Concerto. From rolling hills and Roman sunshine to bold brass and blockbuster flair, experience this musical postcard from Italy and a cinematic star turn from the tuba, all in just one hour of music. Join us for happy hour specials before the concert, then stay after for a casual chat with the stars. It’s your January getaway, no passport required. 5:00 PM: Pre-concert fun 6:30 PM: 60-minute Philadelphia Orchestra concert 7:30 PM: Post-concert talkback with the stars |
| February 5–7: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto Artist Addition: Marina Heredia Vocalist—Philadelphia Orchestra Debut Event Addition— Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf February 7 at 11:30 AM—Saturday morning—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Naomi Woo ConductorMichael Boudewyns Narrator Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf Experience the enduring enchantment of this classic tale with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Prokofiev’s classic Peter and the Wolf makes a welcome return! Learn about the instruments that make up the orchestra through this piece that weaves a charming tale of a boy’s woodland adventures. Each character is brought to life through the many voices in the orchestra: Peter by the strings, his grandfather by the bassoon, and the wolf by the horns. With audience-favorite narrator Michael Boudewyns back at the helm, this performance will captivate listeners of all ages!Event Addition—Carnegie Hall March 10 at 8:00 PM—Tuesday evening—Carnegie Hall Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Ying Fang SopranoJoyce DiDonato Mezzo-Soprano Philadelphia Symphonic Choir Joe Miller Director Mahler Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”) Yannick continues the Orchestra’s exploration of Mahler with one of the composer’s most enduring classics. Shaking the heavens, Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is a vast, spectacular work that requires a large orchestra as well as organ, chorus, two vocal soloists, and multiple offstage musicians. In its sublime ending, majestic and awe-inspiring, a heavenly choir sings and in that moment, Mahler wrote, “a feeling of overwhelming love fills us.” |
| Event Addition— Yo-Yo Ma and Interlochen Center for the Arts Celebrate America at 250 March 13 at 7:30 PM—Friday evening—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Cristian Măcelaru ConductorYo-Yo Ma CelloMembers of The Philadelphia OrchestraStudents from the Interlochen Arts Academy Ives Symphony No. 4Esmail RE|memberMarsalis Cello Concerto Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and conductor Cristian Mӑcelaru join Interlochen Arts Academy students and members of The Philadelphia Orchestra for a vibrant celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday and the power of the youth creative voice. Imagine US: Yo-Yo Ma and Interlochen Center for the Arts Celebrate America at 250 includes a captivating orchestral program—Reena Esmail’s “RE|member,” a reimagined performance of Charles Ives’s Symphony No. 4, and a new cello concerto by Wynton Marsalis—plus multidisciplinary elements created by students from all seven of the Academy’s artistic disciplines. |
| March 19—Brodsky Star Spotlight Series: Víkingur Ólafsson Repertoire Update: The repertoire for Víkingur Ólafsson’s Spotlight Recital has been updated as follows: Bach Prelude in E major, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 27Bach Partita No. 6Schubert Selections from Piano Sonata in E minorBeethoven Piano Sonata No. 30 |
| March 20–22—Marin Leads Rachmaninoff and Schumann Program Title Change: The previous program title, Marin and the Many Moods of Schumann, has been replaced with Marin Leads Rachmaninoff and Schumann. Event Addition—Carnegie Hall March 31 at 8:00 PM—Tuesday evening—Carnegie Marin Alsop Conductor Hayato Sumino Piano Adams The Rock You Stand On—Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Philadelphia Orchestra Co-Commission Gershwin Piano Concerto in F Prokofiev Selections from Romeo and Juliet Rising superstar pianist Hayato Sumino is soloist in Gershwin’s blues-infused Piano Concerto, marking his orchestral debut at Carnegie Hall. Known for his quick-witted virtuosity across jazz and classical idioms, Sumino finds an ideal match in the music of Gershwin. In an anticipated centerpiece of Marin Alsop’s 2025–2026 Perspectives series and the United in Sound: America at 250 festival, this program also features a New York premiere by iconic American composer John Adams, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall. Selections from Prokofiev’s timelessly popular Romeo and Juliet round out the performance.April 9–12—Mozart’s Requiem Date Addition: April 9 at 6:30 PM—Thursday evening—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts The April 9 program will only feature Mozart’s Requiem. Artist Addition:Lauren Snouffer Soprano—Philadelphia Orchestra Debut Elizabeth DeShong Mezzo-Soprano David Portillo Tenor—Philadelphia Orchestra Debut Brandon Cedel Bass-Baritone Program Title Change: The previous program title, Mozart: Great and Glorious, has been replaced with Mozart’s Requiem. |
| Event Addition—Family Concert: Hip-Hop Orchestra May 2 at 11:30 AM—Saturday morning—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts This high-energy, family-friendly concert brings together the powerful beats of hip hop and the sweeping sounds of a live orchestra. Experience classic and contemporary tracks reimagined with strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion in a concert that celebrates rhythm, creativity, and unity. Perfect for music lovers of all ages, Hip-Hop Orchestra is an exciting introduction to live performance that bridges genres and generations. Whether you’re dancing in your seat or just soaking in the sound, this one-of-a-kind concert will have the whole family moving to the beat. |
| May 7–9—Bach and Mozart Piano Classics Artist Update: Pianist András Schiff has canceled his United States appearances for the 2025–26 season. Program Title Change: The previous program title, Bach and Mozart Piano Classics, has been replaced with Musicians’ Choice. Artist Change:Naomi Woo ConductorJoseph Conyers Bass—Philadelphia Orchestra Solo Debut Repertoire Change: The repertoire for this program has been updated as follows: Mozart Overture to Così fan tutteTan Contrabass Concerto: Wolf Totem—First Philadelphia Orchestra PerformancesBartók Romanian Folk DancesHindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber Experience a concert featuring music selected by the musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The program features new discoveries from the repertoire, works adored by Orchestra musicians, and varied scores that bring out the best of the signature “Philadelphia Sound.” Musicians will speak from stage to share more about the fascinating backstories of the music. |
| Event Addition—Orchestra After 5: Postcards from Spain May 14 at 6:30 PM—Thursday evening—Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Naomi Woo Conductor Bizet Suite No. 1 from CarmenFalla Suite No. 1 from The Three-Cornered HatRavel Bolero From the first sip to the final note, it’s a night to savor. Lose yourself in the magic of Spain. Let the sizzling sounds of Bizet, Ravel, and Falla sweep you away to sunlit plazas, flamenco rhythms, and late-night fiestas. From Carmen’s bold drama to the hypnotic pulse of Bolero and the vibrant color of The Three-Cornered Hat, this one-hour musical escape delivers all the spice and sparkle of a Seville sunset. Grab a sangria or Spanish-inspired cocktail and enjoy pre-concert happy hour specials, then stick around after for a relaxed chat with the stars of the performance. 5:00 PM: Pre-concert fun6:30 PM: 60-minute Philadelphia Orchestra concert 7:30 PM: Post-concert talkback with the stars |
| May 28–31—Beethoven and Marsalis Repertoire Update: Julia Wolfe’s Liberty Bell Overture has been renamed Liberty Bell. |
| Event Addition—Carnegie Hall May 29 at 8:00 PM—Friday evening—Carnegie Hall Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Wolfe Liberty Bell—Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Philadelphia Orchestra Co-Commission Beethoven Symphony No. 7 Marsalis Symphony No. 5 (“Liberty”)—World Premiere—Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Philadelphia Orchestra Co-Commission A great American musical icon creates a new work for a great American orchestra! Composer, trumpeter, and jazz legend Wynton Marsalis has earned scores of awards including the Pulitzer Prize for Music. In 1983 he became the first and only artist ever to win both a Classical and Jazz GRAMMY in the same year; in 1984 he did it again. How fitting that this extraordinary musician helps us mark our 125th anniversary with the creation of a new commissioned work, on a program with Beethoven’s lively, melodic Seventh Symphony. |
| June 4–7—Gershwin and Bernstein Artist Addition: Emily D’Angelo Mezzo-Soprano—Philadelphia Orchestra Debut |