The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced its 2026-27 season at Marian Anderson Hall, outlining a year of concerts that includes classical staples, new commissions, major guest artists and special event programming.<\/p>\n
Music and Artistic Director Yannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin, now in his 15th season, will open the year on Thursday, Sept. 24, with an Opening Night Celebration featuring Beethoven\u2019s Ninth Symphony. The program also includes the United States premiere of \u201cOrbis,\u201d a new work by Composer-in-Residence Joe Hisaishi, performed with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and vocal soloists\u00a0including Philadelphia native\u00a0Leah Hawkins, J\u2019Nai Bridges, Issachah Savage and Ryan Speedo Green.<\/p>\n
During the season, the orchestra will present familiar works alongside contemporary music and several premieres. Highlights include performances of Orff\u2019s \u201cCarmina burana,\u201d four symphonies by Gustav Mahler and a concert presentation of Wagner\u2019s opera \u201cLohengrin.\u201d Several world premieres are also planned, including new orchestral works by Reena Esmail and a newly orchestrated version of Florence Price\u2019s \u201cRainbow Waltz\u201d by Valerie Coleman. The season also includes a new orchestral arrangement drawn from Leonard Bernstein\u2019s \u201cMASS\u201d and the premiere of \u201cThe Party,\u201d a multidisciplinary work blending live orchestra with stop-motion animation.<\/p>\n
The season also includes the orchestra\u2019s first complete performances of Bach\u2019s \u201cChristmas Oratorio\u201d as part of its December holiday programming.<\/p>\n
Guest artists throughout the season include internationally recognized pianists Emanuel Ax, Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov and Yunchan Lim, along with a return appearance by conductor Simon Rattle, who will lead the orchestra for the first time in a decade.<\/p>\n
Special event programming includes a 50th anniversary concert screening of \u201cStar Wars: A New Hope,\u201d with the orchestra performing John Williams\u2019 score live, as well as a live-to-picture presentation of \u201cHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.\u201d Additional concerts throughout the year will feature holiday programs, family-friendly performances and select one-night spotlight events.<\/p>\n