NEWSLETTER
Featuring Josh Groban, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Brian Stokes Mitchell
Saratoga Springs, NY (March 15, 2026) – Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) welcomes back The Philadelphia Orchestra for a three-week summer residency from August 5–22 as part of its celebratory 60th anniversary season. Led by Music and Artistic Director YANNICK NÉZET-SÉGUIN, the season pairs classical masterworks with SPAC premieres and performances by world-renowned artists, including Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY® Award–nominated singer JOSH GROBAN, GRAMMY® Award–nominated indie-folk singer GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV, and two-time Tony® Award–winning Broadway star BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL.
“Our 2026 Philadelphia Orchestra season marks a milestone celebration—60 years of extraordinary music at SPAC with the Orchestra,” said Elizabeth Sobol, Chief Executive Officer of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which opened the Orchestra’s first season here in 1966, returns as the centerpiece of this summer’s season, led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. This monumental work, with its transcendent choral finale, offers our community a stirring experience that celebrates six decades of artistry and the enduring partnership between SPAC and the Orchestra.”
Highlighting the season is the Philadelphia Orchestra debut of JOSH GROBAN (AUG 14) for a special Stage, Screen & Symphony program that showcases his versatility, blending musical theater hits, cinema classics, and symphonic arrangements. Heralded as a powerhouse vocalist and dynamic renaissance man, Groban has sold over 35 million albums worldwide, headlined legendary venues on multiple continents, and entertained audiences with acclaimed film and television appearances. His recording catalog spans a series of chart-topping blockbuster albums: Josh Groban, Closer, Noël, Awake, I
Making his highly anticipated SPAC and Philadelphia Orchestra debut to close the season is GRAMMY® Award–nominated indie-folk singer GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV (AUG 22). The Johannesburg-born songwriter, beloved for his spare, soul-stirring ballads, brings songs such as “Miles to Go,” “Liars,” “Big Black Car,” and “Amsterdam” to the stage in sweeping orchestral arrangements—lush, cinematic, and deeply intimate. His most recent album, Appaloosa Bones, further showcases his gift for transforming poetic verses into expansive musical moments. Isakov has collaborated with many symphonies, including the Colorado Symphony, as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic — the latter of which was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “a singular experience.” This August, Isakov will pair his “relentlessly majestic” (Associated Press) songs with the full power of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Philadelphia Orchestra Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin (AUG 15) will return to the podium to anchor SPAC’s 60th anniversary season with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony featuring a star-studded cast including soprano Leah Hawkins, mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, tenor Issachah Savage, and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green, alongside Albany Pro Musica. The program will open with William Grant Still’s rarely performed Wood Notes, a pastoral orchestral suite inspired by the natural beauty of the American South and the poetry of Joseph Mitchell Pilche, in its SPAC premiere, as part of SPAC’s and the Orchestra’s ongoing efforts to restore and perform works by underrepresented composers. Continuing the 60th anniversary theme of “Seasons,” the residency will also feature paired performances of The Four Seasons by Vivaldi and The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla, with concertmaster DAVID KIM (Aug 19) serving as leader and soloist.
Kicking off the season with three performances is Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor MARIN ALSOP (AUG 5--7), including the popular “Tchaikovsky Spectacular” program, followed by an evening featuring the SPAC premiere of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 with pianist JENEBA KANNEH-MASON in her SPAC and Orchestra debuts and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1.
Returning for the first time since 2014, two-time Tony® Award–winning Broadway star BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL (AUG 7) leads an “American Dreams” program highlighted by his narration of Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait—a powerful reflection on unity, equality, and democratic responsibility. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the program also draws inspiration from Marian Anderson’s landmark performance of the work at SPAC 50 years ago. The evening features Broadway favorites including “Wheels of a Dream” from Ragtime, in which Mitchell originated the leading role, and concludes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, written during the composer’s time in the United States and inspired by American musical traditions.
Continuing this exploration of American music, New Zealand conductor GEMMA NEW (Aug 20) makes her SPAC debut, leading Gershwin’s An American in Paris paired with Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G and Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement, performed by pianist MICHELLE CANN, who also appears on the SPAC stage for the first time.
Also highlighting the season is the return of legendary pianist EMANUEL AX (AUG 13) performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, one of the composer’s most iconic works, under the baton of newly appointed Principal Guest Conductor of The Metropolitan Opera DANIELE RUSTIONI (AUG 12–13) making his SPAC debut. On August 12, Rustioni will lead Musorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition and Korngold’s Violin Concerto, featuring the SPAC and Orchestra debuts of celebrated violinist BOMSORI KIM (AUG 12).
Finally, the popular film nights will return to delight audiences of all ages as HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS™ -- PART 1 in Concert (AUG 8) and STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE in Concert (AUG 21) are projected on the screens in HD, while the Orchestra performs the scores live.
“August at SPAC will bring three remarkable vocalists across genres—Josh Groban, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Brian Stokes Mitchell—alongside classical music’s most in-demand artists, from Saratoga favorites and icons like Marin Alsop and Emanuel Ax to rising stars making their SPAC debuts, including Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, following the recent debuts of her siblings Isata Kanneh-Mason and Sheku Kanneh-Mason,” said Christopher Shiley, President of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “From masterworks and SPAC premieres to programs inspired by the themes of ‘Seasons’ and America’s 250th anniversary, this summer promises to inspire, uplift, and connect our community through music.”
Tickets will be available beginning on March 16 at 10 a.m. for members (tiered by level) and on March 25 at 10 a.m. for the general public. Visit spac.org for details.
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA: August 5 – August 22
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 @ 7:30PM: Tchaikovsky Spectacular
Marin Alsop, conductor
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 @ 7:30PM: Mozart & Mahler
Marin Alsop, conductor
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, piano
Copland Fanfare for the Common Man
Tower Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman*
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23*
Mahler Symphony No. 1
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 @ 7:30PM: American Dreams with Brian Stokes Mitchell
Marin Alsop, conductor
Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocalist and narrator
Aleksiychuk Go where the wind takes you …*
Flaherty “Wheels of a Dream,” from Ragtime
Copland Lincoln Portrait
Leigh “The Impossible Dream,” from Man of La Mancha
Dvořák Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 @ 7:30PM: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ – Part 1 in Concert
Justin Freer, conductor
Desplat
Celebrating 25 years of Magic, the Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to SPAC with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 in Concert, the second to last film in the Harry Potter series. Justin Freer will lead the Orchestra in performing Alexandre Desplat’s incredible score live while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen.
Winner of the International Film Music Critics Award (IFMCA), World Soundtrack Award, and Satellite Award for Best Orig. Score, Academy-Award winning composer Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest Hotel, The King’s Speech, Philomena) created a subtle yet full-flavored score, transporting audiences into the adventures of Harry and his friends as the long-feared wizarding war begins.
All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s26)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 @ 7:30PM: Pictures from an Exhibition with Daniele Rustioni
Daniele Rustioni*, conductor
Bomsori Kim*, violin
Rossini
Korngold
Musorgsky (orch. Ravel) Pictures from an Exhibition
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 @ 7:30PM: Emanuel Ax Plays Beethoven
Daniele Rustioni, conductor
Emanuel Ax, piano
Beethoven
Brahms
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 @ 7:30PM: Josh Groban with The Philadelphia Orchestra: Stage, Screen & Symphony
Josh Groban, vocalist
Tony, Emmy, and five-time Grammy Award–nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban possesses one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music. A powerhouse vocalist and dynamic renaissance man, he’s sold over 35 million albums worldwide, headlined legendary venues on multiple continents, and entertained audiences with acclaimed film and television appearances. His recording catalog spans a series of chart-topping blockbuster albums: Josh Groban, Closer, Noël, Awake, I
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 @ 7:30PM: Beethoven’s Ninth with Yannick
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Leah Hawkins*, soprano
J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano
Issachah Savage*, tenor
Ryan Speedo Green*, bass-baritone
Albany Pro Musica, chorus
Still
Beethoven
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19 @ 7:30PM: David Kim Leads The Four Seasons
David Kim, leader and violin
Bach
Mozart
Vivaldi and Piazzolla The Four Seasons / The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires*
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 @ 7:30PM: Gershwin’s An American in Paris
Gemma New*, conductor
Michelle Cann*, piano
Montgomery
Ravel
Price
Gershwin
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 @ 7:30PM: Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
Damon Gupton*, conductor
Williams
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert will return to SPAC featuring a screening of the complete film with composer John Williams’ iconic Oscar®-winning score performed live to the film by The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Since the release of this first Star Wars movie almost 50 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams. Fans will experience the scope and grandeur of this beloved film in a live symphonic concert experience.
The presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 @ 7:30PM: Gregory Alan Isakov with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christopher Dragon*, conductor
Gregory Alan Isakov*, vocalist
Gregory Alan Isakov’s legion of fans first fell in love with the balladeer’s spare, soul-stirring songwriting; however, in this special evening accompanied by The Philadelphia Orchestra, songs like “Miles to Go,” “Liars,” “Big Black Car,” and “Amsterdam” will carry them into an expansive, sweeping soundscape—one that is lush, cinematic, and deeply intimate.
*indicates SPAC debut/premiere
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Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious outdoor amphitheaters. Its exquisite setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws lovers of arts, culture and nature for performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Saratoga Jazz Festival, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts imaginative programming such as Caffè Lena @ SPAC and initiatives in culinary, literary, healing and visual arts.
SPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit the Center’s thriving education program, community outreach efforts, and the vibrancy of its programming. For more information visit spac.org.