PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Philadelphia Orchestra ushers in the new year with a poignant and emotionally charged program featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 and Jake Heggie’s Songs for Murdered Sisters. These powerful works will be brought to life under the masterful baton of Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin from January 9 through January 11, 2025, at the Marian Anderson Hall on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts.
An Evening of Deep Resonance
Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, composed in the final years of his life, is a stirring masterpiece that explores the fragility of human existence. Stricken by grief after the death of his four-year-old daughter and grappling with a serious heart condition, Mahler poured his anguish and reflection into this symphony. From the delicate opening notes of harp and strings to its breathtakingly ethereal conclusion, the Ninth Symphony is both an intimate and universal meditation on life and death. Audiences at Marian Anderson Hall will have the rare opportunity to experience the profound emotional depth of this work in the hands of one of the world’s premier orchestras.
Songs That Seek Justice
Opening the program is a work equally impactful in its modern relevance. Baritone Joshua Hopkins, who lost his sister to domestic violence in 2015, has dedicated his artistry to raising awareness about the scourge of violence against women. Inspired by his story, renowned poet Margaret Atwood penned Songs for Murdered Sisters, a collection of stirring poems that composer Jake Heggie set to music. Performed by Hopkins himself, this song cycle conveys loss, fury, and the enduring call for justice.
Featured Artists
The program will feature Speaker Charlotte Blake Alston, Baritone Joshua Hopkins, and Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, each bringing their distinct expertise and passion to these deeply evocative works.
Performance Information
The concerts will take place at Marian Anderson Hall, located at 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Performances are scheduled for January 9 through January 11, 2025.
A Transformative Experience
Both Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 and Songs for Murdered Sisters extend an invitation to reflect, grieve, and find beauty amid devastation. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s presentation of these works promises to be a transformational artistic experience for symphony enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With such a significant and evocative program, this is an event that no music lover should miss.
Tickets are available now, and early reservations are encouraged for what is expected to be an unforgettable musical evening.
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