The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2022 Tour of Europe concluded in a way no one could have imagined. Almost exactly at the hour the Orchestra arrived in London on September 8, news of Queen Elizabeth II’s decline in health was unfolding. An hour before the evening concert was to begin, we learned of her passing and knew that the show could not go on as planned. At the request of the BBC Proms, with the audience already making its way into the Royal Albert Hall, Yannick and the Orchestra gathered on stage, joined in a moment of silence, and then performed the British National Anthem and Edward Elgar’s beautifully elegiac “Nimrod” from his “Enigma” Variations.
Before silently leaving the stage, Yannick and the Orchestra were met with a heartfelt “thank you” from someone in the audience, followed by reverent applause. The Orchestra’s second Proms concert did not take place, as the United Kingdom and the world mourn the loss of a transformational leader. It would be impossible to predict this sequence of eventualities, which has made The Philadelphia Orchestra a part of history.
The tour party traveled to London by train, arriving in the early afternoon. Violinist Paul Arnold and English horn player Elizabeth Masoudnia walk from the hotel to the Royal Albert Hall. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Yannick learns the news of the queen’s passing after the sound check. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Orchestra members backstage upon learning the news. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Yannick speaks with the Orchestra and explains that they will perform the British National Anthem and “Nimrod” in tribute to the queen. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Royal Albert Hall, home to the BBC Proms. It was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Yannick prepares to enter the stage. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The audience and the Orchestra stand during the playing of the British National Anthem. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Yannick leads the Orchestra in an emotional performance of the Elgar. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
A moment of silence at the end of the Elgar. Photo by Todd Rosenberg 
The next day memorials began to be seen around London. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Flowers and notes left at Buckingham Palace. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The Palace gates. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
A mourner outside the Palace. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The scene outside Buckingham Palace. Photo by Todd Rosenberg 
No country does pageantry quite like the United Kingdom. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The day’s Times. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The Patron Tour also traveled to London. While they were no longer able to experience concerts, some of their other activities continued. Here they’re pictured with St. James’s Palace in the background. Photo by Todd Rosenberg 
A farewell gathering was held for everyone involved in the tour. President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky welcomes them at the Calvary and Guards Club. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Cellist Gloria dePasquale would have played her final concert with the Orchestra on September 9, but the tribute performed the previous evening would be her last moment on stage with the Orchestra. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
The September 8 tribute was also the final performance for Principal Bass Harold Robinson (left) and Principal Trumpet David Bilger. Photo by Todd Rosenberg 
The next day, the tour party arrived at the airport for the flight home. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Musicians wait in line to check in. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
An image of the queen from an exhibit at the airport. Photo by Todd Rosenberg