N E W S R E L E A S E CONTACT: Katherine Blodgett Vice President of Public Relations phone: 215.893.1939 e-mail: [email protected] Jesson Geipel FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Public Relations Manager DATE: February 20, 2013 phone: 215.893.3136 e-mail: [email protected] YANNICK NÉZETNÉZET----SÉGUINSÉGUIN AND THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCE 20132013----20142014 SEASON ♦ Yannick NézetNézet----SéguinSéguinSéguin’s second season as music director builds on the momentum of his inaugural season with an emphasis on traditional works paired with new commissions, operatic performances, large-scale choral works, collaborations with world-renowned soloists, and the next installment in his multi-season focus on requiems with Fauré’s Requiem ♦ Strauss Turns 150: To commemorate the 150th anniversary of this iconic composer’s birth, NézetNézet---- Séguin draws on his wealth of operatic experience and close relationships with vocalists of international renown to present a production of Richard Strauss’s provocative one-act opera Salome; the celebration also includes an array of Strauss’s concertos, symphonies, and serenades ♦ NézetNézet----SéguinSéguin and three of the Orchestra’s principal players present the world premieres of commissions from Behzad RanjbaranRanjbaran, and David LudwigLudwig, and the U.S. premiere of a commission from Tan DunDun, as part of a weekend micro-festival; another four of the Orchestra’s principal musicians take center stage in prominent solo roles ♦ A return to the classics, with a Mozart marathon, the beginning of a two-year Beethoven Cycle kicking off with Beethoven’s powerful Ninth SymphonySymphony, a Tchaikovsky Celebration showcasing his major works alongside those of his Russian contemporaries, and several programs featuring paired works by two of the greatest symphonists of the 19th and 20th centuries—BeethovenBeethoven and Shostakovich ♦ NézetNézet----SéguinSéguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra launch Carnegie Hall’s 20132013-2013 ---14141414 season with a Gala Opening Night performance—the first of four Philadelphia Orchestra performances at Carnegie this season—which will be heard globally via the Carnegie Hall Live broadcast and digital series, produced by Carnegie Hall and WQXR 105.9 FM in collaboration with American Public Media ♦ Guest conductors Stéphane DenèveDenève, Vladimir JurowskiJurowski, and Rafael Frühbeck de BurgosBurgos—who celebrates his 150th Philadelphia performance with the Orchestra—enjoy extended, multi-week conductor residencies; three renowned conductors—MaManfrednfred Honeck, Pablo HerasHeras----Casado,Casado, and Tugan SokhievSokhiev————make their Philadelphia Orchestra debuts ♦ CCCollaborationsCollaborations with the Philadelphia Dance Company (PhiladancoPhiladancoPhiladanco)))), as well as with choral ensembles such as the Westminster Symphonic Choir and the Philadelphia Singers Chorale ♦ InternationallyInternationally----acclaimedacclaimed guest artists including pianists Emanuel Ax and Yuja WangWang,, violinists AnneAnne----SophieSophie Mutter (who is featured in an Opening Night Gala at Verizon Hall on September 25) and Itzhak PerlmanPerlman, cellist Truls MørkMørk, sopranos Christine Brewer and Camilla Nylund (making her Orchestra debut), bass-baritone Alan HeldHeld; and others - more - Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2013-14 Season PAGE 2 (Philadelphia , February 20, 2013)—Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore today announce the 2013-14 season of The Philadelphia Orchestra. On the heels of his triumphant inaugural season as the Orchestra’s new music director, Nézet-Séguin returns to Philadelphia for a highly-anticipated second season of subscription concerts that build upon the foundation established at the beginning of his tenure, including the next phase of his multi-season focus on the requiem; exciting collaborations with the world’s most acclaimed soloists; and unique combinations of new and familiar works lending a refreshing aesthetic to the concert season. Nézet-Séguin’s highly collaborative style, indelible musical curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm, paired with a fresh approach to orchestral programming, have been heralded by critics and audiences alike. A conductor who finds inspiration from music of all generations and genres, Nézet-Séguin’s approach juxtaposes traditional, beloved works from the orchestra repertoire with more provocative, leading-edge works, emphasizing dramatic operatic repertoire, new and innovative compositions, and choral music. Committed to reinvigorating the concert experience for audiences, he has introduced immersive performances featuring a variety of ensembles, sections, and individual players that extend the boundaries of traditional orchestral programming, and capture the imagination of audiences. “I chose the programs for this season with the musicians of our Orchestra in mind–collectively, they are like the perfect musical instrument,” says Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “It was very important for me to play with style, pace, and format, to expand the boundaries of this ensemble and allow our audience to hear us in a completely new way. We will showcase the virtuosity of our musicians—allowing this remarkable orchestra to perform as a living, breathing, entity; a group that can exist in so many different forms and combinations.” “A spark ignited between Yannick and the Orchestra from the very beginning,” said Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. “It is evident how much the relationship has deepened. When we combine the magic of this partnership with the thoughtfully-curated season that Yannick has put together, the stars will be aligned for exemplary artistry on the stage and enthusiastic audiences in the house, at the edge of their seats, eager to catch every moment.” Controversy anandd Creativity Collide: Yannick NézetNézet----SéguinSéguin Celebrates Richard Strauss’s 150th Anniversary with Salome Increasingly known and admired for his work in the great opera houses of the world, Yannick Nézet- Séguin brings his passion for opera to Verizon Hall in May 2014 for epic performances of Richard Strauss’s S alome , as part of a celebration of the composer’s 150th birthday. Considered scandalous when it first premiered in 1905, Richard Strauss’s adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play has not lost its ability - more - Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra: 2013-14 Season PAGE 3 to shock. As the first complete performance of the score by The Philadelphia Orchestra, the composer’s most controversial opera comes to life for the first time on the Verizon Hall stage. For this performance, Yannick draws on his close relationships with a constellation of acclaimed vocalists, including soprano Camilla Nylund (Salome), mezzo-soprano Birgit Remmert (Herodias), tenor John Mac Master (King Herod), and bass-baritone Alan Held (John the Baptist). At the core of the story exists a tangled and disturbing triangle: the persecuted John the Baptist, a lecherous King Herod, and the monarch's pathologically seductive stepdaughter, Salome, who eventually demands the head of the prophet on a silver platter. (May 8 & 10) The Strauss celebration continues across two seasons with a performance of his Oboe Concerto (October 4-6); autobiographical symphony Ein Heldenleben and the Serenade for Winds (November 7- 9) ; Burleske for piano and orchestra (February 6-8); and Metamorphosen for 23 strings (February 20-23). Yannick NézetNézet----SéguinSéguin Spearheads Philadelphia Commissions MicroMicro----FestivalFestival Passionately committed to, and passionate about, the work of current-day composers, and equally committed to showcasing the incredible artistry within the Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin spearheads a three-day micro-festival that will shed new light on the complex process that exists between creator and soloist. Three leading international composers have been commissioned to compose solo works for three of the Orchestra’s principal players. Principal Harp Elizabeth Hainen will premiere Chinese-born Tan DunDun’s Nu Shu: The Secret Songs of Women , Symphony for 12 Micro Films, Harp, and Orchestra; Principal Flute Jeffrey Khaner will premiere a Flute Concerto by Iranian-born Behzad RanjbaranRanjbaran; and Principal Bassoon Daniel Matsukawa will premiere Philadelphia native David Ludwig’s new Bassoon Concerto. Over the course of three days, the Orchestra will present three distinct programs, each containing two of the three commissions in different pairings. All three composers will be in residence over the weekend to share their insights into the creative process. Also featured on each of the programs are Bernstein’s Overture to Candide and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. (October 31-November 2) YanniYannickck NézetNézet----Séguin’sSéguin’s Second Season In assembling the 2013-14 season, Nézet-Séguin has drawn from classic orchestral repertoire to present time-honored masterworks, while finding inspiration in the fresh, bold work of today’s composers—folding both types of works into programs that tell a unique and individual story. Nézet-Séguin has also assembled programs that, whether through solo passages, smaller ensembles, or exquisite sectional playing, highlight the incredible virtuosity, versatility, and dedicated artistry that is a trademark of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Nézet-Séguin comments, “The way I chose each piece of repertoire for this season was very intentional, and you will see this in how I pair new pieces with more