The Philadelphia Orchestra

Meet Yannick

Yannick (Yah-NEEK) Nézet-Séguin (NAH-zay SAY-gahn) is one of the most sought-after conductors on today’s international classical music scene, widely praised by audiences, critics, and artists alike for his musicianship, dedication, and charisma.

A native of Montreal, he made his Philadelphia Orchestra debut in 2008 and in June 2010 was named the Orchestra’s next music director, a post he takes up with the 2012-13 season.

Artistic director and principal conductor of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain since 2000, he became music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic and principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic in 2008.

Philadelphia Orchestra Hotel Package

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
Enjoy luxurious accomodations, daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, two VIP untimed tickets to the Barnes Foundation and two tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra’s performance of Bach’s The Passion According to St. Matthew.

Click here to Book Your Stay

The Experience

Sergei Rachmaninoff, who played his riveting piano concertos with the Philadelphians, and whose Symphonic Dances were composed for them, believed the Philadelphia Orchestra the finest he’d heard anywhere. Olympic standards keep it at the pinnacle of the world’s best — precision, balance, flow and those sumptuous strings. This is the place to hear Brahms, Mahler, Beethoven and Debussy polished to a sheen — and in a venue that gleams.

Excellent sightlines in The Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall include seats surrounding the stage that provide close-ups of first-class maestros and some extraordinary players. Listen for oboist Richard Woodhams whose beautiful tone reflects a historic lineage: Woodhams’ teacher, the late John de Lancie, sat in the same chair, as did de Lancie’s mentor, the great Marcel Tabuteau, before him.

History

The orchestra’s musical cohesion comes from players’ pride and long leadership by extraordinary music directors: Leopold Stokowski created the orchestra’s sound and began its multimedia adventures; Eugene Ormandy built its reputation with now-legendary recordings and premieres; Riccardo Muti added sex appeal and a brilliant discipline; Wolfgang Sawallisch has replenished traditions and recruited bold, young principals; Charles Dutoit mandated electrifying programs with masterful performances. With his dynamic and passionate style, Yannick Nézet-Séguin took the podium as music director in 2012.

Insider Tip

Save a bundle with PECO Power Hour tickets: From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. before evening subscription concerts and 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. before 2 p.m. matinees, – a ticket anywhere in the house is $10, available at the Kimmel Center box office.