Beethoven’s Ninth with Yannick

Philadelphia Orchestra Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin returns to SPAC to anchor the 60th anniversary season with the return of the piece that opened the Orchestra’s first season at SPAC in 1966: Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, featuring soloists Leah Hawkins (soprano), J’Nai Bridges (mezzo-soprano), Issachah Savage (tenor), and Ryan Speedo Green (bass-baritone), joined by Albany Pro Musica.

The evening opens with the SPAC premiere of William Grant Still’s rarely performed Wood Notes, a pastoral suite inspired by the American South and the poetry of Joseph Mitchell Pilcher. This performance continues SPAC’s and the Orchestra’s commitment to restoring and presenting works by underrepresented composers.

Ticketing and parking
- All e-tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra will be sent one week prior to the performance date. Contact the Box Office with any questions: 518-584-9330.
- Web and phone ticket purchases incur a $7 service fee; no fees are applied for in-person purchases at the Box Office.
- Premier parking upgrade is available as an optional add-on at checkout for $20 (limited spaces). General admission parking is free.

About the conductor
- Yannick Nézet-Séguin is in his 14th season with The Philadelphia Orchestra, serving as music and artistic director. Critics have praised the Orchestra under his baton: The Philadelphia Inquirer said the Orchestra is “at the top of its considerable form,” the Associated Press called it “a premier orchestra at its peak,” and the New York Times wrote, “the ensemble... has never sounded better.”
- To read Yannick’s full bio: philorch.org/conductor.

Soloists
- Leah Hawkins (soprano): Recipient of The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024 Beverly Sills Artist Award and a graduate of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. Education: M.M. from Yale University, B.A. from Morgan State University.

• J’Nai Bridges (mezzo-soprano): Two-time Grammy Award winner, described as a “plush-voiced mezzo-soprano” (The New York Times) with a “calmly commanding stage presence” (The New Yorker). Recognized for leadership in conversations about inclusion and racial justice in classical music.

• Issachah Savage (tenor): Dramatic tenor who has appeared with many leading orchestras and collaborated with major conductors. His symphonic repertoire includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and other large-scale works.

• Ryan Speedo Green (bass-baritone): Three-time Grammy Award winner. Noted by the New York Times as “the real showstopper.”

Albany Pro Musica
- Albany Pro Musica (APM) is a preeminent choral ensemble in New York’s Capital Region, known for technical skill, artistry, and purposeful programming. APM offers concert series, special performances with partners, educational programs, internships, and choral festivals. Artistic Director: Dr. José Daniel Flores-Caraballo. Website: albanypromusica.org.

Venue items and rules
Permitted items
- Food, beverages, and disposable utensils (compostable, plastic, reusable, etc.)
- Blankets and breathable ground coverings
- Personal-sized umbrellas (only personal-sized umbrellas permitted on the amphitheater lawn)
- Lawn chairs (must not exceed 43" in height when opened; on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26" height when opened)
- Tents: please note tents of any size will NOT be permitted on the Amphitheater lawn or immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage

Items not permitted
- Metal utensils
- Plastic tarps
- Lawn chairs over 43" in height when opened
- Tents on the Amphitheater lawn or immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage
- Grills, cooking equipment, or any flame using liquid, gas, or gel accelerant
- Laser pointers, drones
- Professional audio or video recording equipment; cameras with detachable lenses
- Bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, etc.
- Pets (except ADA-approved service animals)
- Illegal drugs or substances; weapons of any kind

Ground rules
- All bags will be inspected and all personnel may be searched via metal detectors. Bags include coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and other containers.
- Smoking is permitted only in designated areas; please dispose of cigarette butts properly.
- Guests may be asked to remove items that disrupt others.
- Reentry is permitted for SPAC-produced events with a reentry wristband obtained from staff at the gates prior to exiting.
- SPAC enforces a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. Report concerns immediately to SPAC staff or security personnel.

Amphitheater house rules for classical performances
- Beverages are permitted in the amphitheater; food is not.
- Late arrivals will not be seated until an appropriate break in the performance at the discretion of House Staff.
- Turn off or silence mobile devices before the program; if an emergency requires device use, please step outside the theater.
- Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.