Leah Hawkins, Elza van den Heever, J’Nai Bridges, Will Liverman, Soloman Howard Lead Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2026-27 Season

(Photo credits: Acosta, Brown, Simpson, Adjahoe) Philadelphia Orchestra announces its 2026-27 season. This article only features vocal concerts. Opening night features soloists Leah Hawkins, J’Nai Bridges, Issachah Savage, and Ryan Speedo Green in Beethoven “Symphony” No. 9. They are joined by the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir led by Joe Miller. The U.S. premiere of Hisaishi’s “Orbis” is also slated. Yannick Nézet-Séguin {…}

Jun 1, 2025

Philadelphia Orchestra Losses NEA Funding for Pride Concert

As Pride Month kicks off, the Philadelphia Orchestra has announced that it has lost its National Endowment for the Arts funding for its Pride Concert. The orchestra announced the news via social media, noting, “The Philadelphia Orchestra is a nonprofit organization that believes in the power of music to bring people together, create understanding, and speak to the human spirit. {…}

Apr 26, 2025

Philadelphia Orchestra Announces New CEO & President

The Philadelphia Orchestra has named a new President and CEO. The orchestra said, “We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ryan Fleur as president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts!” In a statement, Ralph Muller, chair of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Board of Trustees said, “After an extensive international search, we are thrilled to appoint {…}

Jan 31, 2025

Joyce DiDonato, Ying Fang & Yannick Nézet-Séguin Hightlight Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2025-26 Season

The Philadephia Orchestra has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the vocal highlights of the season. Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conducts Handel’s Messiah with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir. Performance Dates: Dec. 12-14, 2025 Dalia Stasevska conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with Joélle Harvey. The concert also includes violinist Augustin Hadelich and such pieces as Adams’ “Short Ride in a Fast {…}

Dec 5, 2024

iSING! Festival 2024 Review: Mason Bates’s ‘Spring River Flowers by Moonlight’

For the first generation of singers who traveled to China in 2011, I SING BEIJING was something new and adventurous, but also a bit of a lark. That has changed over the intervening years. On November 2, 2024, the iSING! Festival, as it is now known, and the Philadelphia Orchestra performed under the baton of Marin Alsop at Beijing’s National {…}

Oct 31, 2024

The Philadelphia Orchestra to Tour China For First Time Since 2019

The Philadelphia Orchestra is set to tour through China starting on Oct. 31 through Nov. 10, 2024. The organization, which last toured China in 2019, will make stops in Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu, and Haikou throughout the trip. Leading the tour will be newly appointed Guest Conductor Marin Alsop. “The Philadelphia Orchestra’s journeys to China demonstrate a belief in the possibility {…}

May 17, 2024

Philadelphia Orchestra Announces Free Pride Celebration at Marian Anderson Hall

The Philadelphia Orchestra is set to present a free Pride Celebration concert on June 25, 024 at Marian Anderson Hall. The event will be conducted by Marin Alsop and hosted by Sapphira Cristál. It features the ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir, the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Philadelphia Voices of Pride. The program includes music by LGBTQ+ composers and allies {…}

Feb 28, 2024

Philadelphia Orchestra to Rename Verizon Hall to Marian Anderson Hall

The Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin has announced that Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will be rededicated as Marian Anderson Hall in honor of the legendary contralto, civil rights icon, and Philadelphian. The news was announced on the day after what would have been Anderson’s 127th {…}

Jan 18, 2024

Joyce DiDonato, Leah Hawkins, Joshua Hopkins & Nina Stemme Lead Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season

The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 Season. Here is a look at the vocal performances for the season. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 with Joyce DiDonato as the featured soloist. Performance Dates: Oct. 3-5, 2024 Riccardo Muti conducts Verdi’s Requiem with soloists Juliana Grigoryan, Isabel De Paoli, Giovanni Sala, and Maharram Huseynov. Performance Dates: Oct. 24-26, {…}

Jan 9, 2024

Marin Alsop Named Principal Guest Conductor of Philadelphia Orchestra

Marin Alsop has been appointed as Principal Guest Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra for a three-year term beginning in the 2024–25 season. Alsop will lead the orchestra in multiple subscription concerts, special events, annual summer residencies, and national and international tours, starting with a tour of China in 2024. In a statement, Alsop said, “Working with the incredible musicians of {…}

Oct 23, 2023

Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians Ratify New Contract

The Musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra have voted to approve a historic three-year collective bargaining agreement. The new contract comes six weeks after the expiration of the musicians’ prior contract and violinists Dara Morales and William Polk, Bassists David Fay and Nate West, flutist Olivia Staton, and bassoonist Holly Blake served on the negotiating committee, with support from the American Federation {…}