NEWSLETTER
With Music & Artistic Director YANNICK NÉZET-SÉGUIN
Stunning roster of international conductors including FABIO LUISI, DALIA STASEVSKA, and ANTHONY PARNTHER for their SPAC debuts and the return of DAVID ROBERTSON and XIAN ZHANG
Iconic masterpieces highlight the season including A 100th Anniversary Celebration of Rhapsody in Blue with MARCUS ROBERTS TRIO
Carmina burana with ALBANY PRO MUSICA
Popular film nights return with HARRY POTTER and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert and a 30th Anniversary Celebration of Disney’s THE LION KING in Concert
Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announces the return of The Philadelphia Orchestra to its summer home in Saratoga for a three-week residency from July 31- August 17. The artistically ambitious season will feature a mix of masterworks from the classical cannon, alongside SPAC premieres and appearances by a diverse and international slate of today’s most exciting artists and conductors.
“SPAC has become a destination stage for many of the greatest artists in the world and our 2024 season is no exception. From Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Yo-Yo Ma to John Legend and Angélique Kidjo, this year’s programming offers something for everyone highlighting SPAC’s unique ability to bring together the world’s best artists and genres on one stage,” said Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC’s President & CEO.
Philadelphia Orchestra Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin (AUG 8) will return to the podium to lead a program exclusive to SPAC, featuring Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony, the composer’s powerful ode to nature, alongside the SPAC premiere of Robert Schumann’s Konzertstück for horns and orchestra.
Highlighting the season is the SPAC and Philadelphia Orchestra debut of EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, multiplatinum singer-songwriter John Legend (AUG 7). An Evening With John Legend – A Night of Songs and Stories with The Philadelphia Orchestra will feature intimate reimaginings of Legend’s greatest hits (“All of Me,” “Ordinary People,” "Tonight"), unexpected stories from his life and career, and selections from his most recent release LEGEND ("Nervous," "Wonder Woman").
Returning by popular demand are appearances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma (AUG 16) for Dvořák’s Cello Concerto and violinist Gil Shaham (AUG 14) performing a new violin concerto by contemporary composer Mason Bates, a piece the two workshopped together while at SPAC in 2023. Making his Philadelphia Orchestra and SPAC debut is young pianist and International Tchaikovsky Competition silver medalist George Li (JUL 31), who will perform the Piano Concerto No. 1 as part of the opening night “Tchaikovsky Spectacular” celebration, which will close with the 1812 Overture and a fireworks display. Following her 2023 Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival debut at SPAC, five-time Grammy Award-winner Angélique Kidjo (AUG 2) will also join the Orchestra in an all-new program featuring a mix of popular African songs and original works.
Iconic masterworks featured include a 100th anniversary celebration of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Marcus Roberts Trio (AUG 1), in addition to Carl Orff’s Carmina burana (AUG 10), returning to SPAC for the first time in over 15 years with Albany Pro Musica.
The 2024 season also includes a stunning roster of international conductors including the SPAC debuts of Fabio Luisi (AUG 9 & 10), Dalia Stasevska (AUG 14 & 15), Anthony Parnther (AUG 7), and Damon Gupton (AUG 17), in addition to the return of David Robertson (JUL 31 & AUG 1) and Xian Zhang (AUG 16).
The popular film nights will also return to delight audiences of all ages as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert (AUG 3) and Disney’s The Lion King in Concert (AUG 17), are projected on the screens in HD, while the Orchestra performs the scores live.
Tickets will be available beginning on February 9 at 10 a.m. for members (tiered by level) and on February 22 at 10 a.m. for the general public. Visit spac.org for details.
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA: July 31 – August 17
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 @ 7:30PM: Tchaikovsky Spectacular
David Robertson, conductor
George Li*, piano
Tchaikovsky “Polonaise,” from Eugene Onegin
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 @ 7:30PM: Rhapsody in Blue Celebrates 100
David Robertson, conductor
Marcus Roberts Trio
Johnson Victory Stride*
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 @ 7:30PM: Angélique Kidjo with The Philadelphia Orchestra
TBA, conductor
Angélique Kidjo, vocals
Following her 2023 Saratoga Jazz Festival debut, five-time Grammy Award-winner and African music icon Angélique Kidjo joins The Philadelphia Orchestra in an all-new program featuring a mix of popular African songs and original works.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 @ 7:30PM: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert
Justin Freer, conductor
Hooper Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ (complete with film)*
The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert, the fifth film in the series. Experience the magic of Harry Potter™ soaring across the big screen in high definition, while The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nicholas Hooper’s unforgettable score.
WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s24)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 @ 7:15PM: An Evening With John Legend– A Night of Songs and Stories with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Anthony Parnther*, conductor
John Legend*, vocals and piano
This special performance will feature songs and stories with 12-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend, alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra. Experience intimate reimaginings of his greatest hits (“All of Me,” “Ordinary People,” “Tonight”), unexpected stories from Legend’s life and career, and selections from his most recent release LEGEND (“Nervous,” “Wonder Woman”).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 @ 7:30PM: Yannick Conducts An Alpine Symphony
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Jennifer Montone, horn
Jeffrey Lang, horn
Chelsea McFarland, horn
Christopher Dwyer, horn
Ernesto Tovar Torres, horn
Schumann Konzertstück for horns and orchestra
Strauss An Alpine Symphony
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 @ 7:30PM: An Evening of Brahms with Fabio Luisi
Fabio Luisi*, conductor
Bomsori Kim*, violin
Brahms Violin Concerto
Brahms Symphony No. 4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 @ 7:30PM: Carmina burana
Fabio Luisi, conductor
Audrey Luna*, soprano
Sunnyboy Dladla*, tenor
Sean Michael Plumb*, baritone
Albany Pro Music, chorus
Beethoven Symphony No. 8
Orff Carmina burana
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 @ 7:30PM: Gil Shaham Performs Bates
Dalia Stasevska*, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin
Bates Nomad Concerto, for violin and orchestra*
Sibelius Symphony No. 5
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 @ 7:30PM: Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony
Dalia Stasevska, conductor
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
Dvořák Symphony No. 8
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 @ 7:30PM: Yo-Yo Ma Plays Dvořák
Xian Zhang, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Ngwenyama Primal Message*
Kodály Dances of Galánta*
Dvořák Cello Concerto
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 @ 7:30PM: Disney’s The Lion King in Concert
Damon Gupton*, conductor
Zimmer and John The Lion King (complete with film)*
Thirty years after the original release, experience Disney’s The Lion King on the big screen, as the Orchestra performs Hans Zimmer’s Oscar®-winning musical score live. Featuring unforgettable music from superstar Elton John and award-winning lyricist Tim Rice, and African vocal and choir arrangements by the GRAMMY Award–winning South African producer and composer Lebo M (Rhythm of the Pride Lands).
*indicates SPAC debut/premiere
Press Contact:
Kristy Godette Ventre – 518-584-9330 ext. 125
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