Emanuel Ax Plays Beethoven

Legendary GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Emanuel Ax, Musical America’s 2026 Artist of the Year, returns to SPAC to perform one of Beethoven’s most iconic works with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Celebrated Italian conductor Daniele Rustioni, newly appointed Principal Guest Conductor of The Metropolitan Opera, leads the performance following his SPAC debut the night before.

The program opens with Beethoven’s exuberant and powerful Piano Concerto No. 5 ("Emperor"), the composer’s last concerto and a piece at the core of Ax’s repertoire. The second half features Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.

Daniele Rustioni, 42, is a major presence with leading international symphony orchestras and opera houses and serves as Principal Guest Conductor of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

Emanuel Ax was born to Polish parents in what is today Lviv, Ukraine, and moved to Winnipeg, Canada, as a child. He made his New York debut in the Young Concert Artists Series and won the first Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition in 1974. He has been a Sony Classical exclusive recording artist since 1987.

Permitted items:
- Food, beverages, and disposable utensils (compostable, plastic, reusable, etc.)
- Blankets and breathable ground coverings
- Umbrellas
- Please note: Only personal-sized umbrellas will be permitted on the amphitheater lawn.
- Lawn chairs
- Please note: Lawn chairs must not exceed 43" in height when opened. Lawn chairs on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26" in 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 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

Items listed are subject to change or may vary on show day.

Ground rules:
- Security procedure: all bags will be inspected and all patrons will be searched via metal detectors. Bags include coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and other containers. Prohibited items should be disposed of or returned to your vehicle.
- Smoking is permitted 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; obtain a reentry wristband from staff at the gates before exiting.
- SPAC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. Report concerns to SPAC staff or security immediately.

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.
- Please turn off or silence mobile devices before the program. If an emergency requires use of a device, step outside the theater.
- Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.