Tchaikovsky Spectacular

Philadelphia Orchestra guest conductor Marin Alsop returns to SPAC to lead the orchestra in an evening of Tchaikovsky featuring the 1812 Overture with live cannon fire and a fireworks display.

The program opens with The Philadelphia Orchestra’s lush and romantic interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, followed by Romeo and Juliet.

Marin Alsop
One of the foremost conductors of our time, Marin Alsop is the first woman to serve as the head of major orchestras in the United States, South America, Austria, and Great Britain. She is the first and only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.

Alsop serves as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony; Principal Guest Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra; Principal Guest Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra; and Chief Conductor of the Ravinia Festival. She made history as the first female conductor of the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms. Her long-awaited Berlin Philharmonic debut was in 2025.

To nurture the careers of women conductors, Alsop founded the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship. All 36 award winners hold over 30 music director or chief conductor positions.

Alsop is a 2025–26 Carnegie Hall Perspectives artist, leading concerts by the Philharmonia Orchestra and America at 250 programs with The Philadelphia Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, and The Juilliard Orchestra. Season highlights listed include the world premiere of John Adams’ The Rock You Stand On (dedicated to her) and concerts with several major orchestras.

In 2021, Alsop became Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. During her 14-year tenure she led the orchestra on its first European tour in 13 years, conducted more than two dozen world premieres, and founded the music education program OrchKids. She is the winner of the 2025 Golden Baton Award from the League of American Orchestras.

Permitted items (subject to change)
- 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" in height when opened)
- Tents: 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 (subject to change)
- 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 that uses a 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
- Security procedure: 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. Items not permitted should be disposed of or returned to your vehicle.
- Smoking is permitted on the SPAC grounds only in designated areas; please dispose of cigarette butts properly.
- Guests may bring blankets and umbrellas but should consider others; disruptive items may be removed.
- Reentry is permitted for SPAC-produced events with a reentry wristband obtained from staff at the gates prior to exiting.
- SPAC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, report concerns immediately to SPAC staff or security.

Amphitheater house rules for classical performances
- "House" refers to seating inside the amphitheater; these rules apply inside the amphitheater for SPAC-produced events.
- Beverages are permitted in the amphitheater, but food is not.
- Guests arriving after performances begin will not be seated until an appropriate opportunity at the discretion of House Staff.
- Please turn off or silence mobile devices before the program starts; if you must use a device in an emergency, step outside the theater.
- Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.