Philadelphia Orchestra Announces Star-Studded 2026-27 Season
The prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra has unveiled its upcoming season, packed with a diverse range of performances that will delight audiences from classical music lovers to fans of popular culture. Under the baton of Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who is now in his 15th season, the orchestra will embark on a year of unforgettable concerts.
The inaugural performance on September 24 will mark an Opening Night Celebration featuring Beethoven's iconic Ninth Symphony. This will be followed by the United States premiere of "Orbis," a new work composed by Joe Hisaishi, performed with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and world-class vocal soloists Leah Hawkins, J’Nai Bridges, Issachah Savage, and Ryan Speedo Green.
The season will also feature performances of classical staples such as Orff's "Carmina burana" and four symphonies by Gustav Mahler. Additionally, the orchestra will present several world premieres, including new orchestral works by Reena Esmail and a newly orchestrated version of Florence Price's "Rainbow Waltz" by Valerie Coleman.
Musical highlights also include a concert presentation of Wagner's opera "Lohengrin," as well as a special performance drawn from Leonard Bernstein's "MASS." The season will conclude with the orchestra's first complete performances of Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" in its December holiday programming.
Guest artists throughout the season will include internationally recognized pianists Emanuel Ax, Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov, and Yunchan Lim. Notably, conductor Simon Rattle returns to lead the orchestra for the first time in a decade.
The 2026-27 season also features special event programming, including a 50th anniversary concert screening of "Star Wars: A New Hope," where the orchestra will perform John Williams' score live. The program will be followed by a live-to-picture presentation of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Other concerts throughout the year will feature holiday programs, family-friendly performances, and select one-night spotlight events.
The Philadelphia Orchestra's 2026-27 season promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers and fans alike. With its diverse range of performances, it is set to be a highlight of the cultural calendar in Philadelphia this year.
The prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra has unveiled its upcoming season, packed with a diverse range of performances that will delight audiences from classical music lovers to fans of popular culture. Under the baton of Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who is now in his 15th season, the orchestra will embark on a year of unforgettable concerts.
The inaugural performance on September 24 will mark an Opening Night Celebration featuring Beethoven's iconic Ninth Symphony. This will be followed by the United States premiere of "Orbis," a new work composed by Joe Hisaishi, performed with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and world-class vocal soloists Leah Hawkins, J’Nai Bridges, Issachah Savage, and Ryan Speedo Green.
The season will also feature performances of classical staples such as Orff's "Carmina burana" and four symphonies by Gustav Mahler. Additionally, the orchestra will present several world premieres, including new orchestral works by Reena Esmail and a newly orchestrated version of Florence Price's "Rainbow Waltz" by Valerie Coleman.
Musical highlights also include a concert presentation of Wagner's opera "Lohengrin," as well as a special performance drawn from Leonard Bernstein's "MASS." The season will conclude with the orchestra's first complete performances of Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" in its December holiday programming.
Guest artists throughout the season will include internationally recognized pianists Emanuel Ax, Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov, and Yunchan Lim. Notably, conductor Simon Rattle returns to lead the orchestra for the first time in a decade.
The 2026-27 season also features special event programming, including a 50th anniversary concert screening of "Star Wars: A New Hope," where the orchestra will perform John Williams' score live. The program will be followed by a live-to-picture presentation of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Other concerts throughout the year will feature holiday programs, family-friendly performances, and select one-night spotlight events.
The Philadelphia Orchestra's 2026-27 season promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers and fans alike. With its diverse range of performances, it is set to be a highlight of the cultural calendar in Philadelphia this year.
. at least Yannick Nézet-Séguin is sticking around for another 15 years or whatever 
. can't wait for more Beethoven and Mahler, I mean who needs new music when the classics are still gold 
. concert premieres are always exciting, except when they're just going to be some composer's 'debut' 
. also kinda jealous that Simon Rattle is back, I've been living under a rock or something 
they're getting some amazing guests like emmanuel ax and yuja wang which is going to bring some serious fire to their concerts. and that star wars: a new hope concert screening is literally my dream come true! 
i mean, who wouldn't want to hear john williams' iconic score live while watching the movie? it's like a match made in heaven. and i love how they're making their season special with holiday programs, family-friendly performances, and one-night spotlight events. it just goes to show that music can bring people together and make everything better 
The Phila orchestra just dropped their 26-27 season & it's gonna b SOOO good!! 
They got an epic lineup with Joe Hisaishi and Beethoven's iconic 9th symphony as the opening nite lol! 
Simon Rattle also comin back after a decade, wooo! 
The special events tho? Like watchin Star Wars: A New Hope live w/ orchestra score? Mind. Blown. 
& Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban? I'm dyin to see that!! 
Can't wait for the 26-27 season to start!!! 
Emanuel Ax and Yuja Wang are gonna rock the stage 
And who else is excited for the 50th anniv concert screening of Star Wars: A New Hope 
That thing has over 1.4M views on YouTube already! 
And can we talk about the Wagner opera? 
Maybe it's a marketing ploy to drive ticket sales? 
Anyway, I'm hyped for the 50th anniversary "Star Wars" screening - did you know the original has over 32M views on YouTube?! 
. and what's up with the "star wars" concert? 
still, gotta admit, yannick nézet-sequin is an awesome conductor and emmanuel ax is going to be amazing 
. Simon Rattle is back, which means I'm gonna be there for the Lohengrin concert.
From Beethoven to Bach, and Wagner to Bernstein - I mean, what more can you ask for? 
The addition of Joe Hisaishi as a composer is genius 
And can we talk about the guest artists? Emanuel Ax and Yuja Wang? 
Like that 50th anniversary concert for Star Wars: A New Hope?! Live score, live to picture? Game. Changer. 
I'm already counting down the days until the Phila Orchestra takes the stage in September 
The season is gonna be a masterclass in music and entertainment 
also, why do they need to screen "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" live? That's just a distraction from the real issue: the music itself.
! Overall, I think this season is gonna be a real treat for classical music fans and anyone lookin' for somethin' new and excitin' 
. also, simon rattles is back and Emanuel ax is joining them too - can't wait for those concerts 
. Overall, I think this season is going to be a real treat for music lovers in Philly and beyond!