The Philadelphia Orchestra Kicks Off Four-Concert Season at Carnegie Hall Tonight

Tonight, October 31 at 8:00 p.m., Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads The Philadelphia Orchestra in its first of four Carnegie Hall concerts this season in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. The orchestra performs Mahler's Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, "Resurrection" with soprano Angela Meade, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir under the direction of Joe Miller.

Maestro Nézet-Séguin and the orchestra return on Friday, December 5 at 8:00 p.m. with cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras playing Haydn's Cello Concerto in C Major. Also on the program is Brahms's Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 and Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier Suite.

Later in the season, The Philadelphia Orchestra joins mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, who concludes her season-long Carnegie Hall Perspectives series on Wednesday, March 18 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. The program -- a celebration of the bel canto era -- features arias, ensembles, and orchestral selections from Rossini, Bellini, and lesser-known composers of the time. Joining the orchestra and conductor Maurizio Benini, is a lineup of bel canto stars: soprano Nicole Cabell, and tenor Lawrence Brownlee.

Maestro Nézet-Séguin returns to lead the final concert of the orchestra's Carnegie Hall season on Thursday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. The program features the New York premiere of Nico Muhly's Mixed Messages as well as Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 44. In addition, pianist Emanuel Ax is guest soloist in Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37.

About the Artists:

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin continues his inspired leadership of The Philadelphia Orchestra, which began in the fall of 2012. Widely recognized for his musicianship, dedication, and charisma, Mr. Nézet-Séguin has established himself as a musical leader of the highest caliber and one of the most exciting talents of his generation. His highly collaborative style, deeply rooted musical curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm, paired with a fresh approach to orchestral programming, have been heralded by critics and audiences alike, from the orchestra's home in Verizon Hall to the Carnegie Hall stage. The New York Times has called him "phenomenal," adding that under his baton, "the ensemble, famous for its glowing strings and homogenous richness, has never sounded better."

Mr. Nézet-Séguin has taken The Philadelphia Orchestra to new musical heights in concerts at home in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, at the Academy of Music, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and in Philadelphia neighborhoods. He launches fresh artistic initiatives in his third season as music director, including an Art of the Pipe Organ festival, in which the colors of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ combine with the Philadelphia Orchestra sound to create a powerful universe of music over the course of four subscription weeks; the 40/40 Project, in which 40 great compositions that haven't been heard on subscription concerts in at least 40 years-or ever-will be performed, with the audience choosing the first three; and the pinnacle of the orchestra's five-season requiem cycle, with Bernstein's profound and theatrical MASS. He is embraced by the musicians of the orchestra and by audiences in Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C. He made his inaugural tour with The Philadelphia Orchestra with the 2014 Tour of Asia, leading seven concerts throughout China, Japan, and Taiwan. His concerts of diverse repertoire attract sold-out houses and he continues to make connections within Philadelphia's rich music community.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic since 2008 and artistic director and principal conductor of Montreal's Orchestre Métropolitain since 2000. He also continues to enjoy a close relationship with the London Philharmonic, of which he was principal guest conductor. He has made wildly successful appearances with the world's most revered ensembles-the Vienna Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Dresden Staatskapelle, the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Bavarian Radio Symphony, the Berlin Staatskapelle, and all the major Canadian orchestras, among many others. Throughout Europe and North America, Mr. Nézet-Séguin's appearances have left indelible marks on the international classical music scene, making him one of the most sought-after conductors in the world.

A native of Montreal, Mr. Nézet-Séguin studied piano, conducting, composition, and chamber music at Montreal's Conservatory of Music and continued his studies with renowned conductor Carlo Maria Giulini; he also studied choral conducting with Joseph Flummerfelt at Westminster Choir College. Yannick Nézet-Séguin was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2012, one of the country's highest civilian honors. His other honors include a Royal Philharmonic Society Award; Canada's National Arts Centre Award; the Prix Denise-Pelletier, the highest distinction for the arts in Quebec, awarded by the Quebec government; and honorary doctorates from the University of Quebec in Montreal and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Orchestra first appeared at Carnegie Hall in November 1902. By the mid-20th century, the orchestra had begun a series of annual appearances at America's most celebrated concert hall, presenting a variety of its concerts each year, less than two hours from home. The Philadelphia Orchestra continues this long-standing partnership. Renowned for its distinctive sound, desired for its keen ability to capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences, and admired for an unrivaled legacy of "firsts" in music-making, The Philadelphia Orchestra remains one of the preeminent orchestras in the world. While wholly committed to the exploration of classical music and repertoire, the orchestra also continues to develop compelling programs that resonate with contemporary audiences. The orchestra is inspiring the future and transforming its rich tradition of achievement, sustaining the highest level of artistic quality, but also challenging-and exceeding-that level, by creating powerful musical experiences for audiences at home and around the world.

Program Information:

Friday, October 31, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director and Conductor
Angela Meade, Soprano
Sarah Connolly, Mezzo-Soprano
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Director

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, "Resurrection"

Tickets: $41 - $125

Friday, December 5, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director and Conductor
Jean-Guihen Queyras, Cello

JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90
JOSEPH HAYDN Cello Concerto in C Major, Hob. VIIb: 1
RICHARD STRAUSS Der Rosenkavalier Suite

Tickets: $41 - $125

Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Maurizio Benini, Conductor
Nicole Cabell, Soprano
Joyce DiDonato, Mezzo-Soprano
Lawrence Brownlee, Tenor

A highlight of Joyce DiDonato's Perspectives series is this celebration of music from the bel canto era. Curated by the mezzo-soprano, this evening of arias, ensembles, and orchestral selections ranges from Rossini and Bellini to surprising gems by lesser-known composers of the time. Joining The Philadelphia Orchestra is a lineup of well-known bel canto stars: soprano Nicole Cabell, tenor Lawrence Brownlee, and conductor Maurizio Benini.

Perspectives: Joyce DiDonato

Sponsored by DeWitt Stern Group, Inc.

Tickets: $44 - $135

Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director and Conductor
Emanuel Ax, Piano

NICO MUHLY Mixed Messages (NY Premiere)
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 44

Sponsored by Deloitte LLP

Tickets: $41 - $125

Tickets are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.

For Carnegie Hall Corporation presentations taking place in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, a limited number of seats, priced at $10, will be available day-of-concert beginning at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon on Sunday until one hour before the performance or until supply lasts. The exceptions are Carnegie Hall Family Concerts and gala events. These $10 tickets are available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis at the Carnegie Hall Box Office only. There is a two-ticket limit per customer.

In addition, for all Carnegie Hall presentations in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage a limited number of partial view (seats with obstructed or limited sight lines or restricted leg room) will be sold for 50% of the full price. For more information on this and other discount ticket programs, including those for students, Notables members, and Bank of America customers, visit carnegiehall.org/discounts. Artists, programs, and prices are subject to change.

Photo Credit: Chris Lee