Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout, dedicated to frontline workers, to receive Verizon Hall premiere
(Philadelphia, September 14, 2021)—The Philadelphia Orchestra launches its 122nd season on Tuesday, October 5, 2021,atthe Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts with a special Opening Night Celebration, led by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and featuring a performance by acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The program features selections by Villa-Lobos, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, and the Verizon Hall premiere of Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout, commissioned by the Orchestra and dedicated to the frontline workers of the COVID-19 pandemic. The evening also welcomes Philadelphia Orchestra Storyteller, Narrator, and Host Charlotte Blake Alston in her official debut in this newly created role.
“Opening Night is an important ritual—to celebrate art together and reunite with our beloved audiences at our home in Verizon Hall,” said Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who will begin his tenth season with the Orchestra. “We are thrilled that Yo-Yo Ma joins us, along with our dear friend Valerie Coleman, for what will be a most joyous evening to remember—one that symbolizes a new season full of renewed vitality and forward motion.”
President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky adds, “Informed by the impact of the pandemic, the social justice movement in America, and the drive toward creative equity and inclusion, our 2021–22 season seeks to move the world of orchestral music forward. The incomparable Yo-Yo Ma, one of classical music’s greatest ambassadors and a musician without borders, is the perfect beloved guest to offer inspiration. Ravel’s timeless Bolero will serve as a musical metaphor for our long-awaited reunion with audiences, and Valerie Coleman’s joyous Seven O’Clock Shout will serve as an expression of gratitude for those on the front lines. We owe heartfelt thanks to the Volunteer Committees of The Philadelphia Orchestra for making this celebratory evening possible.”
The Opening Night concert takes place at 6:00 PM in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at 215.893.1999 or www.philorch.org.
In lieu of an Opening Night post-concert benefactor dinner, the Orchestra will host a celebration for sponsors when it is safe to gather for dining and camaraderie. A Season Closing Celebration Dinner will take place on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
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 Lenora Hume, First Associate Concertmaster Juliette Kang (Joseph and Marie Field Chair), and Orchestra board member Adrienne Simpson, as well as The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Board of Directors and dedicated Volunteers.
The Volunteer Committees for The Philadelphia Orchestra were formed in 1904, four years after the Orchestra’s first concerts. The Women’s Committee, as it was originally called, was the first permanent organization of its kind in the United States and has since 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
October 5 at 6:00 PM—Tuesday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Yo-Yo Ma Cello
Charlotte Blake Alston Speaker
Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileiras No. 5
Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1
Coleman Seven O’Clock Shout
Ravel Bolero
Join us for the official launch of our 2021–22 season, a spectacular, in-person return to Verizon Hall! After more than a year without live performances, what better way to celebrate our return than with Yannick, acclaimed cellist and friend of the Orchestra Yo-Yo Ma, and the musicians of Your Philadelphia Orchestra? We have some special surprises planned that you won’t want to miss.
For tickets, call 215.893.1999 or visit www.philorch.org.
The Philadelphia Orchestra would like to extend sincere gratitude to our 2021 Opening Night Celebration Benefactors.
Lead Benefactor
The Central Volunteer Committee
The Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Foundation
Diamond Benefactor
Edith R. Dixon
Neal W. Krouse
John H. McFadden and Lisa D. Kabnick
Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation
Ralph W. Muller and Beth B. Johnston
Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer and Joseph Neubauer
Peter and Mari Shaw
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Townsend
Zisman Family Foundation
Platinum Benefactor
Aon
Drs. Claudia and Richard Balderston
Garces
Carole Haas Gravagno
Robert Heim and Eileen Kennedy
Lenora and Eric Hume
Miriam Mandell
Offit Kurman, Attorneys at Law
Matthew D’Annunzio, Esq.
C. Lawrence Holmes, Esq.
Parx Casino
PNC
The Rittenhouse Square Volunteer Committee
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
The West Philadelphia Volunteer Committee
Gold Benefactor
Vijay and Susan Aggarwal
Ballard Spahr LLP
Naomi and Stephen Breman
Judith Broudy
Elaine W. Camarda and A. Morris Williams, Jr.
Tobey and Mark Dichter
Alexandra Edsall and Robert Victor
Juliet J. Goodfriend and Marc R. Moreau
Marcy Gringlas and Joel Greenberg
Julia A. Haller, M.D., and John D. Gottsch, M.D.
Jeff and Breanna Harvey
Osagie and Losenge Imasogie
Rachelle and Ronald Kaiserman
Drs. Leon and Elsa Malmud
Joseph M. Manko, Sr.
The Main Line Volunteer Committee
Sandy and David Marshall
Lucinda and Thomas Marturano
Peter and Bonnie McCausland
The New Jersey Volunteer Committee
PECO
Dr. and Mrs. Joel Porter
Maria and Eric Rieders
Lyn M. Ross
Dianne and Jeffrey Rotwitt
Selma Savitz, in memory of Samuel J. Savitz
Katie and Tony Schaeffer
Lee F. Shlifer
Dr. Norman L. Sykes
Jack and Ramona Vosbikian
WHYY
Dr. Sankey V. Williams and the Honorable Constance H. Williams
Alison T. Young and David Maser
Principal Benefactor
Dr. Mitra Abessi
Sherrin Baky-Nessler and William E. Nessler III
Ms. Charlotte H. Biddle
Sibby Brasler
PJ and Ann Brennan
Robert and Julie Jensen Bryan
Rick and Flo Celender
Sara A. Cerato
Dr. Robert Cody
Michael and Constance Cone
Peggy Cooke
Sarah Miller Coulson
Nancy and Kenneth E. Davis
Colleen DeMorat and Ray Dombroski
Henry and Katherine Donner
Barbara Eberlein and Jerry Wind
Annette Y. Friedland
Nancy and John Galloway
Toni and Bob Garrison
Kate Hall
Lauren Hart and Todd Carmichael
Martin and Cynthia Heckscher
Mrs. W. Anthony Hitschler
Marie and Jeffrey Kenkelen
Elizabeth and Edwin Mahoney
Susan and Frank Mechura
Keiko and George Miller
Mrs. Philippus Miller, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Minkovich
Robert E. Mortensen
Dr. Elias Packman
Linda and David Paskin
Jane G. Pepper
Louise H. Reed
Caroline B. Rogers
Nancy and John Rogers
Joyce Sando and Chuck Pennoni
Adele K. Schaeffer
Dr. Anita Schmukler
Adrienne Simpson
Amber Thomas
Judith and Mark Tykocinski
Richard and Carolyn Veith
Maria Parisi Vickers
Dr. R.J. Wallner
Thomas and Penelope Watkins
Zeldin Family Foundation
Elizabeth Zelov
Anonymous
About The Philadelphia Orchestra
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CONTACTS:
Ashley Berke
215.893.1939
[email protected]
Natalie Lewis
215.893.3136
[email protected]