N E W S R E L E A S E

N E W S R E L E A S E CONTACTS: Katherine Blodgett phone: 215.893.1939 e-mail: kblodgett@philorch.org Alyssa Porambo phone: 215.893.3136 e-mail: aporambo@philorch.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: January 19, 2016 YANNICK NÉZET-SÉGUIN AND THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCE 2016-2017 SEASON Nézet-Séguin s Fifth Season Continues Multi-Season Focus on the Great Musical Cities of the World, American Sounds, Opera, Theatrically-Rooted Works, and Sacred Music Music Inspired by Paris Weaves throughout the Season, with a Three-Week Festival at the Heart American Sounds will be Explored through Works by Mason Bates, Christopher Theofanidis, and Leonard Bernstein; plus Two World Premieres: an Organ Concerto by Christopher Rouse Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Kimmel Center s Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ and Featuring Paul Jacobs; and Principal Percussion Christopher Deviney s Imaginary Day, a Duo Concerto Based on Music by Pat Metheny Conductor Laureate Charles Dutoit Returns with Britten s War Requiem and Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève Leads a Rachmaninoff Festival Repertoire Highlights also Feature Celebrations of Mozart and Brahms, including a Complete Cycle of Brahms s Four Symphonies Guest Conductors and Soloists Range from Rising Stars to Living Legends, among them Itzhak Perlman, Simon Rattle, André Watts, Midori, Stéphane Tétreault, Daniil Trifonov, and Herbert Blomstedt (Philadelphia, January 19, 2016) Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore today announce The Philadelphia Orchestra s 2016-17 season. The season underscores the incredible versatility and depth of the ensemble under Nézet-Séguin s leadership, as he embarks on his fifth season and continues shaping a modern definition of the Orchestra s legendary Philadelphia Sound. - more -

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 2 During my first four years as music director I have gotten to know the musicians, our audiences, and my new community. This has been a time of beginning, of planting seeds and launching ideas, said Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. We have built a strong foundation and are expanding upon the themes and threads that carry through the seasons: the great music capitals of the world, music that is uniquely American, sacred and choral music, opera for the concert hall, theatrically-rooted works, and championing new music as a part of the Orchestra s legacy. I have felt the closest of bonds to the musicians of the Orchestra since my debut, almost as if we had been working together all our lives. And it is this remarkable relationship that has enabled us to accomplish, with so much joy, all we have done so far and all we will do in the future. With this new season, we are creating memorable experiences for audiences that reverberate not only within the bounds of a single concert, but across seasons, and throughout lifetimes, said President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. Yannick Nézet-Séguin s fifth year as music director builds on the momentum of the previous four, deepening the remarkable connections forged within the Philadelphia community and beyond. By aligning the great talent of our Philadelphia Orchestra musicians with that of the artists brought onto our stage, the result is a concert experience that brings audiences to the edge of their seats, and to their feet. From Berlioz s Symphonie fantastique to Mahler s colossal Symphony No. 3, the 2016-17 season explores the vast range of The Philadelphia Orchestra and the famous Philadelphia Sound. Season highlights include a three-week Paris Festival with all performances conducted by Nézet-Séguin; a Rachmaninoff Festival led by Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève featuring all four piano concertos; Britten s War Requiem with Conductor Laureate Charles Dutoit; Mozart s Great Mass in C minor; all four of Brahms s symphonies; theatrically-rooted works including Ravel s complete Daphnis and Chloé, Stravinsky s Petrushka, and Bartók s Bluebeard s Castle; and an incisive focus on American music, including works by Mason Bates, Leonard Bernstein, Ruth Crawford Seeger, and Christopher Theofanidis, plus two world premieres: a new concerto commissioned for the 10th anniversary of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Christopher Rouse; and Imaginary Day, a duo concerto for vibraphone and marimba, based on the music of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, arranged and orchestrated by Principal Percussion Christopher Deviney. Music presented in the season spans centuries from electronica of the present to Bach s Baroque masterpieces. Throughout the season the Orchestra is joined by world-renowned guest conductors and soloists, from rising stars to living legends. 2016-17 Season Highlights: Yannick Nézet-Séguin embarks on his fifth season with the ensemble, continuing multi-season focuses on great musical cities of the world, American sounds, opera, theatrically-rooted works, and sacred music. The three-week City of Light and Music: The Paris Festival led by Nézet-Séguin in January is the heart of a season-long focus on music emanating from, or inspired by, the French capital. An incisive focus on American sounds introduces uniquely American musical vernacular and includes works by Mason Bates (with the composer on stage performing computer-activated

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 3 electronica), Ruth Crawford Seeger, Christopher Theofanidis, the film music of John Williams, and looking ahead to his centennial celebrations in 2018 Leonard Bernstein. As part of the 2016-17 focus on American music, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts a new concerto commissioned for the 10th anniversary of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ by the Pulitzer Prizewinning composer Christopher Rouse and featuring Paul Jacobs. Imaginary Day, a duo concerto for vibraphone and marimba, comprised of several Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays compositions arranged and orchestrated by Principal Percussion Christopher Deviney, is led by Bramwell Tovey. Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads theatrically-rooted works including Ravel s complete Daphnis and Chloé, Stravinsky s Petrushka, and Bartók s Bluebeard s Castle. Stéphane Denève leads three weeks of subscription programming, including a Rachmaninoff Festival featuring all four of the composer s piano concertos plus special events; a program of Russian favorites; and a program of Scandinavian works. He also leads the Orchestra in three non-subscription concerts of John Williams s iconic score for E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial, performed live with the full film in HD. Conductor Laureate Charles Dutoit returns to lead Britten s War Requiem. Mozart s Great Mass in C minor, led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, continues a focus on sacred music initiated in his first season, and an all-mozart program showcases the full sweep of the composer s contributions to the musical canon. A complete cycle of Brahms s four symphonies, plus the premiere of new transcriptions by Detlev Glanert of selections from the composer s Eleven Choral Preludes, originally written for organ. Shostakovich s Symphony No. 4 and Prokofiev s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Yefim Bronfman, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Yannick Nézet-Séguin brings the season to its exciting conclusion with four performances of Mahler s Third Symphony, featuring mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, and the American Boychoir. Special events include a one-night-only return by Simon Rattle, in his only U.S. orchestra conducting appearance, for a performance of Mahler s Sixth Symphony; the legendary Itzhak Perlman returning for two concerts in which he performs and conducts. Gianandrea Noseda s Thanksgiving weekend program features Beethoven s Symphony No. 6 ( Pastoral ), Petrassi s Partita, and Ravel s Piano Concerto in G major with guest soloist Alexander Toradze. Cristian Măcelaru leads Orff s Carmina burana featuring soprano Olga Pudova, tenor Nicholas Phan, baritone Stephen Powell, the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, and the American Boychoir on a program that also includes Beethoven s Symphony No. 2. The Philadelphia Orchestra marks the 60th anniversary of the debut of André Watts, who made his first appearance with the ensemble in 1957 as a 10-year-old winner of the Orchestra s Children s Student Competition. He performs Beethoven s Piano Concerto No. 4. Fabio Luisi conducts the program, which also includes Weber s Overture to Oberon and Franck s Symphony in D minor. A number of esteemed conductors return to lead The Philadelphia Orchestra, including Alain Altinoglu, Gianandrea Noseda, Fabio Luisi, Herbert Blomstedt (who celebrates his 90th birthday in 2017), Michael Tilson Thomas, Bramwell Tovey, and Tugan Sokhiev. Louis Langrée makes his Orchestra

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 4 debut and Jane Glover makes her subscription debut. Cristian Măcelaru leads one subscription series and a special Valentine s Day Concert. Nathalie Stutzmann leads Handel s Messiah in her Philadelphia Orchestra conducting debut and Thomas Wilkins leads The Glorious Sound of Christmas concerts. Notable soloists returning include legends such as André Watts, Radu Lupu, Midori, and Yefim Bronfman; rising stars like Benjamin Beilman and Daniil Trifonov (the Orchestra s GRAMMYnominated recording partner); and close friends including Leonidas Kavakos, Yuja Wang, and Garrick Ohlsson. Three principal players of The Philadelphia Orchestra appear as soloists: Principal Viola Choong-Jin Chang, Principal Bassoon Daniel Matsukawa, and Principal Percussion Christopher Deviney. The 2016-17 season also includes The Philadelphia Orchestra s annual subscription series at Carnegie Hall; special concert events; Family Concerts, Sound All Around presentations, and School Concerts; holiday performances; the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert; an appearance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.; residencies in three summer venues; a tour to Asia that continues the Orchestra s groundbreaking relationship with China; and expanded use of the Orchestra s LiveNote app. City of Light and Music: The Paris Festival The 2016-17 season includes a collection of music inspired by Paris, with a three-week festival at the heart in January. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts all three weeks of City of Light and Music: The Paris Festival. Many people feel a connection to Paris it is a special city full of poetry and imagery. Next season we will travel there on a musical journey, continuing our exploration of cities that have inspired so many of the world s great composers. The Paris Festival: Yannick Nézet-Séguin opens the Paris Festival (January 12-14) with a program comprised entirely of works by French composers. He will be joined by mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, who will sing selections from Canteloube s Songs of the Auvergne, one of the most requested works by Philadelphia Orchestra audiences. The program also features French composers Ravel (Menuet antique), Fauré (Pavane), Saint-Saëns ( Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah), Chabrier (Joyeuse Marche), and Schmitt (Suite from La Tragédie de Salomé). In the second week (January 19-24), Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts two works by expats who made the French capital their home: Stravinsky s Petrushka and Chopin s Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by Louis Lortie. The final week (January 26-27) focuses on French composers who looked beyond their homeland for inspiration. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Berlioz s Harold in Italy, with Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Viola Choong-Jin Chang as soloist; and three works by Ravel: Alborada del gracioso, Rapsodie espagnole, and Bolero.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 5 French masters will be featured throughout the season, outside of the Paris Festival. Other subscription concerts with a Paris influence include: Season-opening concerts (September 22-24) featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting Berlioz s Symphonie fantastique and Philadelphia favorite Yuja Wang performing Chopin s Piano Concerto No. 2, written as the composer was on the verge of abandoning Poland for Paris. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts an all-french program (October 7-8) featuring Berlioz s Le Corsaire Overture and Symphonie fantastique. Stéphane Tétreault makes his Philadelphia Orchestra debut performing Saint-Saëns s Cello Concerto No. 1 on a highly treasured Stradivarius cello once owned by Paganini. Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads performances of Ravel s complete Daphnis and Chloé, featuring the Westminster Symphonic Choir under the direction of Joe Miller. Benjamin Beilman returns for Prokofiev s Violin Concerto No. 1. Ravel s Le Tombeau de Couperin opens the program. (November 10-12) American Sounds and Two World Premieres Beginning with the memorable staging of Bernstein s Broadway-infused MASS in 2015 and later the world premiere performances of Hannibal s spiritual and jazz-inspired One Land, One River, One People, Yannick Nézet-Séguin continues his exploration of music that incorporates uniquely American sounds, including jazz, Broadway, spirituals, film, and, in the 2016-17 season, electronica. It s important to reflect the history of American music it s past, present, and future. This is on the same path as MASS and Hannibal s spiritatorio. Now we add electronica as an example of American music today. Among the distinctly American works highlighted this season are two world premieres: Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Christopher Rouse s new Organ Concerto, co-commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra for the 10th anniversary of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ with Paul Jacobs as guest soloist. The program also includes Respighi s The Fountains of Rome and Tchaikovsky s Symphony No. 4. (November 17-19) Principal Percussion Christopher Deviney has arranged and orchestrated three works by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays into Imaginary Day, a new duo concerto for vibraphone and marimba and featuring himself on vibraphone and She-e Wu on marimba. Bramwell Tovey conducts the program, which also features Bernstein s Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs and Dvořák s Symphony No. 9 ( From the New World ). (March 30-April 1) Other highlights of American music include: Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads the Orchestra in Rainbow Body by Christopher Theofanidis (September 29-October 2), one of the most frequently performed works today.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 6 Michael Tilson Thomas conducts a program (March 10-12) featuring Ruth Crawford Seeger s Andante for Strings as well as Beethoven s Symphony No. 3 ( Eroica ) and Berg s Violin Concerto with Leonidas Kavakos. Yannick Nézet-Séguin welcomes composer Mason Bates to the stage to activate the electronica elements of his Alternative Energy. It s a fascinating piece because it brings a new definition of what is American music, says Nézet-Séguin. Daniil Trifonov returns to perform Mozart s Piano Concerto No. 9, K. 271 ( Jenamy ). The program (April 6-9) also includes Liszt s Prometheus and selections from Beethoven s The Creatures of Prometheus. Looking ahead to the 2018 centenary celebration of the birth of Leonard Bernstein, Yannick Nézet- Séguin leads The Philadelphia Orchestra in performances of Bernstein s Symphony No. 1 ( Jeremiah ), featuring mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke. Radu Lupu performs Mozart s Piano Concerto No. 24, K. 491. The program (May 3-6) concludes with Schumann s Symphony No. 2. Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Mozart The 2016-17 season includes a special focus on works by Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Mozart, including a complete cycle of all four Brahms symphonies, a Rachmaninoff Festival featuring all four piano concertos, and Mozart s Mass in C minor plus an all-mozart program led by specialist Jane Glover. Alain Altinoglu returns to conduct Brahms s Symphony No. 1 on a program that also includes Dutilleux s Métaboles and Mendelssohn s Violin Concerto with Veronika Eberle. (October 27-29) Louis Langrée makes his Philadelphia Orchestra debut conducting Brahms s Symphony No. 2 (November 3-5). The program also features Midori in the Beethoven Violin Concerto and the first Philadelphia Orchestra performances of Alfred Schnittke s Moz-Art à la Haydn. Herbert Blomstedt conducts Brahms s Third Symphony (February 17-19). Garrick Ohlsson joins for Mozart s Piano Concerto No. 25, K. 503. Yannick Nézet-Séguin completes the cycle of Brahms s symphonies with the Fourth (February 23-25). He also leads selections from Brahms s Eleven Choral Preludes, alternating their original organ versions with the world premiere of new orchestral transcriptions by Detlev Glanert; plus Bach s Cantata No. 150, Nach Dir, Herr, verlanget mich. Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève is on the podium for a Rachmaninoff Festival (April 27-29) featuring all four piano concertos by the composer most identified with the famous Philadelphia Sound. Haochen Zhang performs Concertos 1 and 4; Nikolai Lugansky performs Concertos 2 and 3, and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The final program also includes Rachmaninoff s Symphonic Dances. Special events surrounding the Rachmaninoff Festival will be announced in 2017.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 7 Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Mozart s Mass in C minor (September 29-October 2) joined by soprano Lucy Crowe, mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey, tenor Nicholas Phan, bass-baritone Philippe Sly, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir. The program also includes Rainbow Body by Christopher Theofanidis and Schubert s Symphony in B minor ( Unfinished ). Jane Glover makes her subscription debut (January 5-7) leading an all-mozart program featuring Symphonies No. 1 and 41 ( Jupiter ) and the Bassoon Concerto with Principal Bassoon Daniel Matsukawa. Opera in Concert Building on the success of his sold-out performances of Strauss s Salome in 2014, Yannick Nézet-Séguin brings another gripping opera score to audiences with Bartók s Bluebeard s Castle (March 2-4). It s especially remarkable for its orchestral writing, says Nézet-Séguin, and it is also a piece of compelling drama. Bass John Relyea sings the part of Bluebeard and mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung is his bride, Judith. Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève Leading the Orchestra for three subscription weeks in the 2016-17 season, Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève brings a focus on Russian music, Scandinavian music, and the music of Rachmaninoff. His first week features a program of Russian favorites (October 20-22), including Stokowski s arrangement of the Andante cantabile movement from Tchaikovsky s String Quartet No. 1 ( Accordion ) and his Symphonic Synthesis from Musorgsky s Boris Godunov, and Tchaikovsky s 1812 Overture and Piano Concerto No. 1 with soloist Denis Kozhukhin in his subscription debut. Denève leads Scandinavian masterworks in his second week, including Esa-Pekka Salonen s Nyx, Sibelius s Symphony No. 2, and Grieg s Piano Concerto with Lars Vogt as soloist (April 20-22). And in his third week, Denève is on the podium for the Rachmaninoff Festival (April 27-29), including all four of the composer s piano concertos and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, with pianists Haochen Zhang and Nikolai Lugansky. The Festival closes with the Symphonic Dances. Denève continues his exploration of the music of John Williams with three special non-subscription performances of the score to the beloved motion picture E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial, performed live by the Fabulous Philadelphians while the film is shown in its entirety in HD (October 14-16). Britten s War Requiem Conductor Laureate Charles Dutoit first heard Britten s War Requiem as a student in Switzerland, shortly after its 1962 premiere. He now brings it to Philadelphia having performed the piece worldwide to great acclaim. Tradition dictates that the soprano be Russian, the tenor English, and the baritone German, representing the combatants in World War II. The Orchestra honors that practice with soprano Tatiana Monogarova, tenor John Mark Ainsley, and baritone Matthias Goerne. Also joining the Orchestra for these performances (March 23-25) are the Westminster Symphonic Choir and the American Boychoir.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 8 Special Events There are a number of special non-subscription performances to be found throughout the 2016-17 season: Yannick Nézet-Séguin begins his fifth season with The Philadelphia Orchestra conducting a festive Opening Night Concert and Gala (September 30). Simon Rattle joins the Orchestra for one night only (October 6) to conduct Mahler s Symphony No. 6. Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève is on the podium for three special performances of E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial, with the Orchestra playing John Williams s score while the film is shown in HD (October 14-16). Nézet-Séguin leads the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert (January 16). The Academy of Music celebrates its 160th Anniversary with the annual Concert and Ball, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin (January 28). Itzhak Perlman is both conductor and soloist for two concerts (March 15-16). The program includes Bach s Violin Concerto No. 1, Mozart s Haffner Symphony, and Dvořák s Symphony No. 8. Guest Conductors and Conductor Residencies Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts 14 weeks of subscription programming and numerous special concerts and events in the 2016-17 season. Conductor Laureate Charles Dutoit returns for one subscription week (March 23-25) and Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève leads three weeks of subscription programming (October 20-22, April 20-22, and April 27-29) plus E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial (October 14-16). The Orchestra welcomes a number of other revered conductors, many of whom have enjoyed long, collaborative relationships with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Those returning in the 2016-17 season are Alain Altinoglu (October 27-29), Gianandrea Noseda (November 25-27), Cristian Măcelaru (December 8-10 and February 14), Fabio Luisi (February 2-4), Herbert Blomstedt (February 17-19), Michael Tilson Thomas (March 10-12), Bramwell Tovey (December 31 and March 30-April 1), and Tugan Sokhiev (May 11-13). Louis Langrée makes his debut (November 3-5) and Jane Glover makes her subscription debut (January 5-7). Returning for special, nonsubscription performances are Simon Rattle (October 6); and Itzhak Perlman (March 15-16), who also performs as violin soloist. Nathalie Stutzmann, who has appeared with the Orchestra as contralto soloist, makes her conducting debut with Handel s Messiah (December 18). Guest Artists and Collaborators Returning soloists in the 2016-17 season include 12 pianists: Yuja Wang (September 22-24), Denis Kozhukhin (October 20-22 subscription debut), Alexander Toradze (November 25-27), Yefim Bronfman (December 1-3), Louis Lortie (January 19-24), André Watts (February 2-4), Garrick Ohlsson (February 17-19), Daniil Trifonov (April 6-9), Lars Vogt (April 20-22), Haochen Zhang (April 27-29 subscription debut), Nikolai

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 9 Lugansky (April 27-28), and Radu Lupu (May 3-6); five violinists: Midori (November 3-5), Benjamin Beilman (November 10-12), Leonidas Kavakos (March 10-12), Itzhak Perlman (March 15-16), and Renaud Capuçon (May 11-13); organist Paul Jacobs (November 17-19); sopranos Lucy Crowe (September 29-October 2) and Tatiana Monogarova (March 23-25); mezzo-sopranos Susan Graham (January 12-14), Michelle DeYoung (March 2-4), Sasha Cooke (May 3-6 subscription debut), and Karen Cargill (May 18-21); tenor Nicholas Phan (September 29-October 2 and December 8-10); bass-baritone Philippe Sly (September 29-October 2); and bass John Relyea (March 2-4). Guest artists making their Philadelphia Orchestra debuts include mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey (September 29- October 2), cellist Stéphane Tétreault (October 7-8), violinist Veronika Eberle (October 27-29), soprano Olga Pudova (December 8-10), tenor John Mark Ainsley (March 23-25), marimba player She-e Wu (March 30-April 1), and composer Mason Bates, who plays electronica in his own work (April 6-9). Three of the Orchestra s principal players appear as featured soloists this season: Principal Bassoon Daniel Matsukawa (January 5-7), Principal Viola Choong-Jin Chang (January 26-27), and Principal Percussion Christopher Deviney, in his Philadelphia Orchestra solo debut (March 30-April 1). The Philadelphia Orchestra also welcomes back the Westminster Symphonic Choir directed by Joe Miller (September 29-October 2, November 10-12, and March 23-25), and the American Boychoir directed by Fernando Malvar-Ruiz (December 8-10, March 23-25, and May 18-21). The Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, also directed by Joe Miller, makes its Orchestra debut (December 8-10) and the women of the Choir return at the end of the season (May 18-21). The Philadelphia Orchestra at Carnegie Hall The Philadelphia Orchestra gave its first performance at Carnegie Hall in 1902. In the more than 100 years since it has enjoyed a long and celebrated relationship with the world-famous venue and now returns annually for a subscription series. The Orchestra performs at Carnegie Hall four times during the 2016-17 season: October 10, November 15, March 7, and May 9, all at 8 PM. Artist information and repertoire will be announced on January 26. Holiday Traditions The Philadelphia Orchestra presents a number of holiday concerts and special events in the 2016-17 season, beginning with the popular Halloween Organ Extravaganza (October 28), starring the awesome power of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ (celebrating its 10th anniversary in the 2016-17 season). Thomas Wilkins, principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, returns to Philadelphia to lead The Glorious Sound of Christmas concerts (December 15-17). Nathalie Stutzmann makes her Philadelphia Orchestra conducting debut leading the annual performance of Handel s Messiah (December 18). Audience favorite Bramwell Tovey leads the festivities for the New Year s Eve concert (December 31). Cristian Măcelaru conducts an evening of romantic repertoire for Valentine s Day (February 14).

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 10 Family Concerts A lifelong love of music begins with The Philadelphia Orchestra s Family Concerts. The 2016-17 season offers four Saturday morning programs designed to introduce children ages 6-12 and their families to classical music. The Orchestra begins with two annual audience favorites: Halloween Treats (October 29) and the Christmas Kids Spectacular! (December 10). In 2017 the question of Who Stole the Mona Lisa? is explored (February 4). Stravinsky s Suite from The Firebird provides the soundtrack for this program, featuring Micah Chambers- Goldberg s 20-minute animated film, commissioned by Astral Artists in 2011. The series ends by turning the Kimmel Center into a musical zoo with Saint-Saëns s Carnival of the Animals (April 22). All concerts begin at 11:30 AM and are preceded by Pre-Concert Adventures, interactive explorations of each concert s featured works, composers, and instruments, in Perelman Theater. LiveNote The Philadelphia Orchestra s innovative LiveNote app, a platform that allows concertgoers to access customcreated information about the performed musical works in real time on their mobile devices, will be enabled for concerts throughout the 2016-17 season. The app presents users with a variety of musical, emotional, and historical highlights, as well as libretto text and translations. Use of the app is optional for patrons and is not required to enjoy the Philadelphians music-making. LiveNote will be enabled during the season for Berlioz s Symphonie fantastique (September 22-24 and October 7-8), Ravel s Daphnis and Chloé (November 10-12); Shostakovich s Symphony No. 4 (December 1-3); Orff s Carmina burana (December 8-10); Canteloube s Songs of the Auvergne and Schmitt s Suite from La Tragédie de Salomé (January 12-14); Bartók s Bluebeard s Castle (March 2-4); and Mason Bates s Alternative Energy (April 6-9). Summer 2016 with The Philadelphia Orchestra Preceding the 2016-17 season, The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to its three summer homes. Opened for the Orchestra and the New York City Ballet in 1966, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in upstate New York marks its 50th anniversary this summer with a season that looks back on its rich and diverse history. SPAC was named Best Outdoor Music Venue by USA Today in 2015. Tickets for the Orchestra s three-week residency are currently on sale. For more information, visit spac.org. The Orchestra joins its Philadelphia summer home, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, in celebrating its 40th anniversary with special programming. For more information, visit manncenter.org. High atop the Rocky Mountains, the Orchestra marks its 10th summer at the Bravo! Vail festival in Colorado. Hailed as one of the Top 10 Can t Miss Classical Music Festivals in the U.S. by NPR, Bravo! Vail is the only festival in North America to host three acclaimed symphony orchestras in a single season. For more information, visit bravovail.org. Schedules and programming for the Orchestra s residencies at the Mann Center and Bravo! Vail will be announced at a later date.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2016-17 Season 11 2016-17 Season Subscriptions Subscriptions for the 2016-17 season are now on sale. New and renewing subscribers may purchase subscriptions through Ticket Philadelphia by calling 215.893.1955 or visiting philorch.org/subscribe. Renewing subscribers will receive a special mailing of renewal information immediately and can renew now. Subscribers will continue to have the benefit of fee-free exchanges on all subscription tickets for the 2016-17 season. A monthly payment plan is available for subscribers, which allows them to split their subscription payment into monthly installments and an option to pay half now and half later. Other subscriber benefits include free ticket replacement, priority seating, and special promotional offers. Subscribers also have the option of purchasing additional individual tickets to any of the season s subscription concerts or special concerts now with their series purchase prior to individual concert tickets going on sale to the general public. Discount parking is also available to subscribers. Orchestra subscribers may renew their subscriptions through mid-april. Individual concert tickets will go on sale to the public in early August. The Orchestra offers subscription packages of six concerts for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday matinees. Packages of nine concerts are offered for Friday afternoons and Saturday evenings. Also available at this time is the popular Create-Your-Own 6-concert series, designed for audiences who like the flexibility of choosing their own concerts, as well as the Family Concert series. Subscription packages range from as little as $30 for Family Concert series seats in the 3rd Tier, to $1,234 for a Saturday evening, 9-concert series, with premium box seats located in Tier 1. A Ticket Philadelphia processing fee of $20 is added to each subscription order. To access the full press kit for the 2016-17 season, please visit philorch.org/press-room. About The Philadelphia Orchestra About Yannick Nézet-Séguin # # #