sound of joy Celebration
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
2026–27
T OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION
he Philadelphia Orchestra Volunteer Committees, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Board of Trustees, and the musicians of the Orchestra invite you to join us for the 2026 Opening Night Celebration. a night of joy
FEATURING
YANNICK NEZET-SEGUIN É É
Conductor
with
LEAH HAWKINS
Soprano
J’NAI BRIDGES
Mezzo-Soprano
ISSACHAH SAVAGE
Tenor
RYAN SPEEDO GREEN
Bass-Baritone
PHILADELPHIA SYMPHONIC CHOIR
Joe Miller, Director
JOE MILLER Director
Experience the beloved “Ode to Joy” in Beethoven’s mighty Ninth Symphony, accompanied by the U.S. premiere of Composer-inResidence Joe Hisaishi’s choral work Orbis.
celebrate legacy
celebrate joy
2026 Opening Night Celebration Event Committee
CO-CHAIRS
Robert Heim
The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Board of Trustees
Christian Gray
Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians
Irina Sipe
Volunteer Committees for The Philadelphia Orchestra
PRESIDENT, VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES
Richelle Rabenou
VICE PRESIDENT, VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES
Deborah Ledley
VICE CHAIR, VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES
Judith Sills Swartz
Central Committee
Main Line Committee
New Jersey Committee
Rittenhouse Square Committee
Starlight Circle
The Opening Night Concert is a benefit for the musicians' retirement fund. The musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra are graciously donating their services.
The Philadelphia Orchestra Opening
Night Celebration
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
5:30 PM
Benefactor Reception, Tier 2 Lounge
7:00 PM Concert, Marian Anderson Hall
8:45 PM
Gala Dinner, Commonwealth Plaza
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts 300 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19102
Concert will be performed without intermission
Black Tie Optional
RSVP by September 3, 2026
Reservation card enclosed
“
Ambitious, risky, spectacular: We’re lucky to share a city with The Philadelphia Orchestra.
“
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
Photos: Allie Ippolito, Curtis Brown, Arvin Prem Kumar, Jiyang Chen, Margo Reed
Yannick Nézet-Séguin holds the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Chair.