Any Chester Countians craving the wonderful sound of organized music and the beautiful visuals of ballet? Just down the road, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin launch the 2022–23 season on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts with a special Opening Night Celebration, featuring acclaimed pianist Lang Lang performing Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2.

The concert will open with Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, Anthem for Unity, with a special performance from Philadelphia’s own BalletX, featuring new choreography by New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Tiler Peck. The program will also include a performance of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8.

“Opening Night with Your Philadelphia Orchestra will introduce audiences to a new season of fresh voices and transformative music,” said Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who will be entering his 11th season with the orchestra. “Collaboration is key to our success, and we are thrilled to perform alongside Lang Lang and BalletX, who join us in striving for innovation and connection through the arts.”

“It is certain to be a very special night,” said Nézet-Séguin.

Returning to pre-pandemic traditions, donors who contribute at benefactor levels to support the Opening Night Celebration will enjoy a pre-concert reception beginning at 6 PM in Commonwealth Plaza. Following the 7 PM concert, benefactors will enjoy a gala dinner in the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza catered by Garces Events.

For those interested in purchasing a benefactor package for the Opening Night Celebration, more information is available here. Young Friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra can access a special benefactor package for tickets to both the gala celebration and concert; please contact youngfriends@philorch.org for more information.

The musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin are graciously donating their services for the Opening Night concert.

This year’s Opening Night Celebration is organized under the direction of Opening Night Co-Chairs Elizabeth Zelov, Orchestra violinist Amy Oshiro-Morales, and Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. Board member Alison T. Young, as well as The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc.’s Board of Directors and dedicated volunteers.

Since their formation, the Volunteer Committees have come to serve as a model for similar groups in the U.S. and abroad. The current Volunteer Committees for The Philadelphia Orchestra include Central, Main Line, New Jersey, Rittenhouse, and West Philadelphia. Through their endeavors over the past century, thousands of members of the Volunteer Committees have given countless hours and innumerable talents in service to The Philadelphia Orchestra and the people of the greater Philadelphia region.

The concert will take place at 7 PM in Verizon Hall. Tickets are available at 215.893.1999 or www.philorch.org.