April features historic traditions and twists on youthful classics. From Bach to Beethoven, Prokofiev to Williams, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Tickets start at $35. Order today!______________________________
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St. Matthew Passion
Special Event—Easter Weekend
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Saturday, April 4 8 PM
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Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Carolyn Sampson Soprano
Karen Cargill Mezzo-soprano
Andrew Staples Tenor (Evangelist)
Andrew Foster-Williams Bass-baritone (Jesus)
Philippe Sly Bass-baritone
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller Director
The American Boychoir
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz Music Director
James Alexander Stage Director
John H. Weir Lighting Designer
Bach The Passion According to St. Matthew
Audiences were mesmerized when The Philadelphia Orchestra performed Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in 2013 for the first time in 30 years. The work premiered on Good Friday in 1727. Nearly 300 years later, Philadelphia audiences can experience the groundbreaking creation much as the original 18th-century audience did that Easter weekend. Recounting the New Testament story of Jesus Christ’s final days–from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion—Bach calls for large-scale forces and a divided orchestra. Renowned stage director James Alexander’s brilliant minimalist staging enhances the storytelling. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts this grand event.
This is a Symphony V.0 production.
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Beethoven and Mozart
Limited Availability
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Friday, April 10 2 PM
Saturday, April 11 8 PM
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Paul Goodwin Conductor
Choong-Jin Chang Viola
Mozart Symphony in D major, K. 320, after the Serenade in D major (“Posthorn”) 40/40
Stamitz Viola Concerto in D major 40/40
Beethoven Overture, The Consecration of the House
Beethoven Symphony No. 4
Our Beethoven cycle continues with his Symphony No. 4. Classically inspired, this witty and brilliant work shows the composer’s mastery of the symphony. Mozart’s Symphony in D major is drawn from movements of his “Posthorn” Serenade, which derived its title from a posthorn solo–a predecessor to the modern French horn. Beethoven’s Consecration of the House Overture, written for the opening of a theater in Vienna, was inspired by Beethoven’s studies of Bach and Handel and shows clears signs of their influence. Our principal viola, Choong-Jin Chang, is front and center for Carl Stamitz’s Concerto in D major. Chang says it’s a challenging piece, with many exposed passages demanding a pristine technique. He compares soloing with the Orchestra to performing for your own family: a lot of warmth and support, coupled with the pressure to be worthy. Not familiar with Stamitz, a prolific 18th-century composer of the Mannheim School? Chang advises, think Mozart and Haydn.
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Peter and the Wolf (with Film)
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Thursday, April 16 8 PM
Friday, April 17 2 PM
Saturday, April 18 8 PM
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Stéphane Denève Conductor
Christina and Michelle Naughton Pianos
Peter & the Wolf Live 2008 Oscar® Winner—Best Animated Short Film
Roussel The Spider’s Feast
Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf (with film) 40/40
Saint-Saëns Carnival of the Animals 40/40
Poulenc Suite from Les Animaux modèles 40/40
This is not your childhood version of Peter and the Wolf! Prokofiev’s famous score is performed live with Suzie Templeton’s dark, edgy, and “visually arresting” (New York Times) animated short film, winner of the 2008 Academy Award. Our fiery principal guest Conductor, Stéphane Denève, also brings his flair and French expertise to works by Roussel, Poulenc, and Saint-Saëns, including Carnival of the Animals performed by the incredible twin pianists Christina and Michelle Naughton. Rediscover your youth with this collection of distinctly grown-up fairy tales!
The April 16 concert is sponsored by the Hassel Foundation.
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Peter and the Wolf
Family Concert
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Saturday, April 18 11:30 AM
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Stéphane Denève Conductor
Michael Boudewyns Narrator
Close friend and Orchestra collaborator, conductor Stéphane Denève leads a program featuring Peter and the Wolf, Sergei Prokofiev’s musical tale that has entertained and educated audiences for nearly 80 years. The enchanting Michael Boudewyns returns to breathe life into the beloved characters of this children’s classic. You’ll hear the instruments of the orchestra transformed into the spirited young Peter, his grumbling grandfather, and the menacing wolf. A great introduction to the Orchestra!
Extend the fun and enhance your child’s experience with Pre-Concert Adventures, held before each concert at 10:00 AM in Perelman Theater.
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LiveNote Nights: Denève
BUY TICKETS All tickets $25 with no additional fees.
Wednesday, April 22 6:30 PM
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Stéphane Denève Conductor
Prokofiev Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet
Grab some friends and come to the Kimmel Center for LiveNote Nights. Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève leads the third LiveNote Nights concert on Wednesday, April 22, in a program of excerpts from Prokofiev’s indelible 20th-century interpretation of the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet.
About the app
Concert goers will be able to access custom-created information about the pieces through the app, which follows along with the music in real time, presenting musical, emotional, and historical highlights. Use of the app is optional for patrons and is not required.
Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
LiveNote Nights is funded in part by the generous support of the Raynier Institute & Foundation. The LiveNote app is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Romeo and Juliet
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Thursday, April 23 8 PM
Friday, April 24 2 PM
Saturday, April 25 8 PM
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Stéphane Denève Conductor
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes Music Director
Williams Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind 40/40
Lindberg Graffiti, for chorus and orchestra 40/40
Prokofiev Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet
Don’t miss The Philadelphia Orchestra performing two beloved classics of stage and screen: Romeo and Juliet and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Hear John Williams’s Grammy-winning music from Steven Spielberg’s epic movie in live symphonic style (and get a preview of next season’s star-studded tribute to the legendary composer). Prokofiev matches the drama note-for-note in his electrifying ballet score for Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, all the more thrilling with Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève at the podium. Magnus Lindberg calls the orchestra his “favorite instrument.” His Graffiti showcases all the musicians of ours, as well as the voices of the celebrated Philadelphia Singers Chorale.
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Bernstein’s MASS
Seating now available in the Conductor’s Circle
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Thursday, April 30 8 PM
Friday, May 1 8 PM
Saturday, May 2 8 PM
Sunday, May 3 2 PM
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Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Kevin Vortmann Celebrant
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Temple University Concert Choir
The American Boychoir
Kevin Newbury Stage Director
Bernstein MASS: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Leonard Bernstein’s MASS, sure to be the theatrical highlight of our season! While the legendary composer and conductor employed many of the elements of a traditional Mass, he also drew upon his Broadway experience, as well as other religious and popular genres. A battalion of musical forces are deployed to realize Bernstein’s vision, including the Orchestra both on stage and in the pit, a rock band, a cast of Broadway vocalists, and multiple choirs, along with theatrical elements that will fill Verizon Hall with a spiritual, ecumenical experience.
The spiritual center of MASS is the Celebrant, disillusioned by the doubts of his community, who goes through a crisis of faith en route to eventual reconciliation and peace. MASS speaks to universal questions of community, faith, and personal responsibility for each other. These performances will be a musical and theatrical experience and a true destination concert for audiences and participants alike.
The Bernstein MASS performances are made possible in part by the generous support of the William Penn Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Additional support has been provided by the Presser Foundation.
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From Mozart to Nico Muhly, Vaughan Williams to John Williams, experience 40 great compositions that have surprisingly not been presented on Philadelphia subscription concerts in at least the last 40 years. It’s Yannick’s gift to you in honor of his 40th birthday.
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