OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION
2022–23 Season: Transformation
Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra
Featuring Lang Lang
September 28, 2022
Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, Anthem for Unity,
performed by BalletX in Verizon Hall premiere of choreography
by New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Tiler Peck
(Philadelphia, September 7, 2022)—The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin launch the 2022–23season on Wednesday, September 28, 2022,atthe Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts with a special Opening Night Celebration, featuring acclaimed pianist Lang Lang performing Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The concert will open with Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, Anthem for Unity, with a special performance from Philadelphia’s own BalletX, featuring new choreography by New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Tiler Peck. The program will also include a performance of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM in Verizon Hall. Tickets are available at 215.893.1999 or www.philorch.org.
“Opening Night with Your Philadelphia Orchestra will introduce audiences to a new season of fresh voices and transformative music,” said Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who will be entering his 11th season with the Orchestra. “Collaboration is key to our success, and we are thrilled to perform alongside Lang Lang and BalletX, who join us in striving for innovation and connection through the arts. It is certain to be a very special night.”
Returning to pre-pandemic traditions, donors who contribute at benefactor levels to support the Opening Night Celebration will enjoy a pre-concert reception beginning at 6:00 PM in Commonwealth Plaza. Following the 7:00 PM concert, benefactors will enjoy a gala dinner in the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza catered by Garces Events.
For those interested in purchasing a benefactor package for the Opening Night Celebration, more information is available here. Young Friends of The Philadelphia Orchestra can access a special benefactor package for tickets to both the gala celebration and concert; please contact [email protected] for more information.
The musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin are graciously donating their services for the Opening Night concert. This year’s Opening Night Celebration is organized under the direction of Opening Night Co-Chairs Elizabeth Zelov, Orchestra violinist Amy Oshiro-Morales, and Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. Board member Alison T. Young, as well as The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc.’s Board of Directors and dedicated Volunteers.
This year marks the 36th season for which The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Volunteer Committees have presented the Opening Night festivities. The Volunteer Committees for The Philadelphia Orchestra were formed in 1904, and served as the first permanent organization of its kind in the United States. Since their formation, the Volunteer Committees have come to serve as a model for similar groups in the U.S. and abroad. The current Volunteer Committees for The Philadelphia Orchestra include Central, Main Line, New Jersey, Rittenhouse, and West Philadelphia. Through their endeavors over the past century, thousands of members of the Volunteer Committees have given countless hours and innumerable talents in service to The Philadelphia Orchestra and the people of the greater Philadelphia region.
Opening Night Celebration with Yannick and Lang Lang
September 28 at 7:00 PM—Wednesday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Lang Lang Piano
BalletX
Christine Cox Artistic Director
Coleman Umoja, Anthem for Unity
Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2
Dvořák Symphony No. 8
Yannick and the Orchestra open the season with Saint-Saëns's stunning Piano Concerto No. 2. And who better to join us than the incomparable Lang Lang, hailed by the New York Times as “the hottest artist on the classical music planet.” Accompanying Valerie Coleman’s stirring Umoja, Anthem for Unity, the innovative style of BalletX will be on full display as they perform new choreography from acclaimed American ballet dancer Tiler Peck for a showstopping collaboration in this special concert and gala event—an unforgettable start to our 123rd season. The Tiler Peck co-commission with BalletX is sponsored by Neal Krouse.
For tickets, call 215.893.1999 or visit www.philorch.org.
The Philadelphia Orchestra would like to extend sincere gratitude to our 2022 Opening Night Celebration Benefactors.
Lead Benefactor
The Central Volunteer Committee
Ralph and Beth Johnston Muller
Diamond Benefactor
Comcast NBCUniversal
Neal W. Krouse
John H. McFadden and Lisa D. Kabnick
Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation
Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer and Joseph Neubauer
Peter and Mari Shaw
Philadelphia 76ers
Platinum Benefactor
Drs. Claudia and Richard Balderston
Edith R. Dixon
Bob Green
The Main Line Volunteer Committee
Miriam Mandell
PNC
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
The West Philadelphia Volunteer Committee
Michael Zisman and Linda Gamble
Anonymous
Gold Benefactor
Tim and Pam Alles
Ballard Spahr LLP
Donald E. Barb, Esq. and the Rev. Bruce H. Davidson
Peter A. Benoliel and Willo Carey
N. Judith Broudy
Elaine Woo Camarda and A. Morris Williams, Jr.
Nancy and Kenneth Davis
Tobey and Mark Dichter
Alexandra Edsall and Robert Victor
Juliet J. Goodfriend and Marc R. Moreau
Julia A. Haller, M.D., and John D. Gottsch, M.D.
Rachelle and Ron Kaiserman
Robert Heim and Eileen Kennedy
Eric and Lenora Hume
Osagie and Losenge Imasogie
Drs. Leon and Elsa Malmud: Malmud Kravitz Foundation
Joseph M. Manko, Sr.
The New Jersey Volunteer Committee
Jon and Karen Richter
Maria and Eric Rieders
Beth L. Rogers
Caroline B. Rogers
Nancy and John Rogers
Lyn M. Ross
Dianne and Jeffrey Rotwitt
Mark and Robin Rubenstein
Michael Shannon Designs
Lee Shlifer
Jack and Ramona Vosbikian
Alison T. Young and David Maser
Anonymous
Principal Benefactor
Vijay and Susan Aggarwal
Larry and Dr. Marcia Arem
Charles Arnao and Rosemary Watt
Janet and James Averill
Sherrin H. Baky-Nessler and William E. Nessler III
Charlotte H. Biddle
Judith M. Bradley
Sibby Brasler
Naomi and Stephen Breman
Mary Bui-Cavaliere
Sara A. Cerato
Kris Christensen
Earl and Margaret Clime
Dr. Robert J. Cody
Constance and Michael Cone
Peggy Cooke
Sarah Miller Coulson
Joyce Creamer
Rob and Patty Delany
Colleen DeMorat
Larry Dubinski and Vicki Markovitz
Barbara Eberlein and Jerry Wind
Gail Ehrlich
Drs. Bruce and Toby Eisenstein
Anne C. Ewers
Katharine and Bill Eyre
Mark J. Foley
Linda Frankel
Barbara Freed
Toni and Bob Garrison
Lauren Gilchrist
Susan and Sherwood (Woody) Goldberg
Dr. Janice T. Gordon
Kate Hall
Marybeth Henry
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Keith
Marie and Jeffrey Kenkelen
Joseph Kluger and Susan Lewis
Sheila Leith
William A. Loeb
Lawrence and Nancy Ludgus
Elizabeth and Edwin Mahoney
Sandy and David Marshall
Donna Massanova
Ms. Priscilla McDougal
Alan Mittelman
Katherine L. Niven, Esq.
Elias Packman
Jane G. Pepper
Rinaldi Family, Jacobs Music
The Rittenhouse Sqaure Volunteer Committee
Bill and Carla Rock
Dr. Marta Rozans and Professor Ilan Peleg
Vesna and Howard Sacks
John Salveson
Katie and Tony Schaeffer
Anne Schoemaker
Carole and Jack Schultz
Mrs. Harold Sorgenti
Ken Stewart
Stacy Stone
Dr. Judith Sills Swartz and Randy Swartz
Leonard and Barbara Sylk
Hon. Carolyn Engel Temin
Pat and Tom Vernon
Dr. R.J. Wallner
Dr. Bettyruth Walter
Ross and Mary Lou Webber
Richard Weisenberg and Faye Senneca
Constance and Sankey Williams
Allison P. Wilson-Maher and John F. Maher
Mr. and Mrs. V. Scott Zelov
Anonymous
Volunteer
Dr. Susan C. Aldridge
Lois Boyce
Mrs. Leanore Brookman
Carol Melman Brown
Mrs. Donald F. (Joyce) Cafiero
Betsy and Jim Crowell
Henry and Kathy Donner
John and Virginia Dowd
Katherine Garber
Dr. Thelma B. Gosfield
Ms. Adrienne Jacoby
Karen Nagel Kamp
Marlena Robinson Kleit
Bernice J. Koplin and Guy A. Veroli
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Larzelere
Drs. Gary and Deborah Ledley
Mrs. Francis J. Leto
Peg Mertz and Michael J. Lynagh
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Minkovich
Mrs. Eleanor Oxman
Richelle and Kameron Rabenou
Kate Brady Rauscher and Bob Rauscher
Mrs. Fran Schwartz
Carol C. Sherman
Drs. Erlis and John Wickersham
Young Friend
Rachele Armstrong
Liz Carson and Marc Kaplan
Bonnie Marie Falconer
Mitchell J. Ginsburgh
Daniel Swartley McArdle
Dr. Jasmine Moore
John and Olivia Scanlon
Anna Simon
Michael Welch
Austin D. Williams, M.D., and Brandon Sargent
Donor
Keith A. Layton
Elizabeth Ray McLean
Kristin Narcowic
About The Philadelphia Orchestra
About Yannick Nézet-Séguin
About the 2022–23 Season
Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS)