The Philadelphia Orchestra with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music and Artistic Director
“…the ensemble, famous for its glowing strings and homogeneous richness, has never sounded better.”
—The New York Times
This fall, The Philadelphia Orchestra led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin returns to Chapel Hill for two unforgettable evenings. Each night offers a distinct program—details for the November 5 performance follow below.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 | 7:30 PM
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music and Artistic Director
On November 5, Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads The Philadelphia Orchestra in Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra—the bold, career-launching work that the ensemble commissioned and premiered in 2002. Now a proud Chapel Hill resident, the Pulitzer and GRAMMY® winner returns to hear this virtuosic masterpiece live at CPA for the first time.
Closing the program is Brahms’ Fourth Symphony, a brilliant study in contrasts—from its sweetly sad opening to a swirling, breathless finale that delivers “wave after wave of intoxicating color” (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
Special Offer: Use code PHILLYX2 for 50% off tickets to this unforgettable evening with one of the world’s great orchestras. Enter the code before choosing your seats to unlock your savings.
Did you know? We’re hosting free clinics for UNC students to learn from musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra before they take the stage. Register here.
Event Details
- Runtime: approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including intermission
- Intermission: 15 minutes
- Additional information: visit our FAQ page
- Late Seating Policy: limited late seating available
Program
| Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962) |
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| Intermission | |
| Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) |
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Ticket & Discount Information
Tickets available starting at $49. Student tickets always $11. Eligible for CLE Credit.
Discount Information
We offer several discounts for CPA series performances only. Partner and rental events are not eligible.
Important Notes:
- Discounts must be applied at the time of purchase and cannot be added retroactively.
- Only one discount can be used per order.
- We reserve the right to cancel tickets that do not follow these guidelines
Available Discounts:
Military & First Responders
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- How to redeem: Use promo code SERVICE2526 online or call our box office
Seniors (65+)
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required: Yes
- How to redeem: Use promo code SENIOR2526 online or call our box office
UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty & Staff
- Discount: 25% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC One Card)
- How to redeem:
- Current faculty/staff: Use promo code UNCFS2526
- Retired faculty/staff: Use promo code UNCRET2526
UNC Health Staff
- Discount: 25% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Health ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCFS2526 online or call our box office
UNC-Chapel Hill Students
- Discount: $11 tickets (Zones 3, 4, and 5)
- Limit: 2 tickets per student, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Student ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCST2526 online and select price type “UNC Student,” or call our box office
Non-UNC Students (K-College, Statewide)
- Discount: $11 tickets (Zones 3, 4, and 5)
- Limit: 2 tickets per student, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Student ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCST2526 online and select price type “UNC Student,” or call our box office
Carolina Alumni Members
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per order
- How to redeem: Use promo code GAA2526 online or call our box office
Watch our video on applying discount codes when checking out!
Visit our FAQ page for more details.
Why We’re Presenting This
Under the charismatic leadership of conductor Nézet‑Séguin, The Philadelphia Orchestra brings to Memorial Hall thoughtful and rich orchestral programs and their iconic “Philadelphia Sound.” Nézet‑Séguin’s infectious energy and deep musical insight have earned him acclaim as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. He and the Orchestra deliver on the spirit of our 2025–2026 season: one defined by the connection, surprise, and shared joy of live performance.
This performance also marks a homecoming for Jennifer Higdon, the Pulitzer and GRAMMY® Award–winning composer whose Concerto for Orchestra helped launch her career—and who now proudly calls Chapel Hill home. Her return with The Philadelphia Orchestra brings a special resonance to this program and to our season’s theme of connection.
👉 Read our recent conversation with Jennifer Higdon.
Join Us for Another Night
On November 4, experience the lyrical brilliance of GRAMMY® Award–winning American classical pianist Emanuel Ax as he joins forces with Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra for a performance of Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto.
About The Philadelphia Orchestra
The world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra strives to share the transformative power of music with the widest possible audience, and to create joy, connection, and excitement through music in the Philadelphia region, across the country, and around the world. Through innovative programming, robust education initiatives, a commitment to its diverse communities, and the embrace of digital outreach, the ensemble is creating an expansive and inclusive future for classical music and furthering the place of the arts in an open and democratic society. In June 2021 the Orchestra and its home, the Kimmel Center, united. Today, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts brings the greatest performances and most impactful education and community programs to audiences in Philadelphia and beyond.
For more information about The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org.
About Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Nézet-Séguin is currently in his 13th season with The Philadelphia Orchestra, serving as music and artistic director. An inspired leader, Nézet-Séguin is both an evolutionary and a revolutionary, developing the mighty “Philadelphia Sound” in new ways. His collaborative style, deeply rooted musical curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm have been heralded by critics and audiences alike.
Nézet-Séguin has established himself as a musical leader of the highest caliber and one of the most thrilling and sought-after talents of his generation. He became the third music director of New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 2018. In addition, he has been artistic director and principal conductor of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain since 2000. In 2017 he became the third-ever honorary member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He served as music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic from 2008 to 2018 (he is now honorary conductor) and was principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic from 2008 to 2014. He has made wildly successful appearances with the world’s most revered ensembles and at many of the leading opera houses.
For more information about Yannick Nézet-Séguin, please visit philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org.
About Jennifer Higdon
Jennifer Higdon won the Pulitzer Prize in 2010 and is a three-time Grammy winner. Commissions have come from a wide range of performers: from the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony, to The President’s Own Marine Band; from the Tokyo String Quartet to Eighth Blackbird, as well as individual artists such as singer Thomas Hampson, violinists Hilary Hahn and Joshua Bell, and pianist, Yuja Wang. Her first opera on Charles Frazier’s book, “Cold Mountain”, sold out all of its runs (including Carolina Performing Arts/NC Opera’s performance at Memorial Hall) and went on to win the International Opera Award. With over 250 performances a year, she makes her living from commissions and serves as composer-in-residence with various orchestras and universities around the country. “Blue Cathedral”, her most famous work, has had over 1200 performances. Higdon’s compositions are recorded on over 100 CDs. She recently moved from Philadelphia and now lives in Chapel Hill.
For more information about Jennifer Higdon, please visit www.jenniferhigdon.com.
Go further
Want to uncover the power of orchestral sound further? Start here.
Watch:
Want to see more performances?
Check out the full lineup for the 2025-2026 CPA Season, and discover more incredible shows!