Yannick makes his Philadelphia Orchestra debut during the 2012 Opening Night Concert and Gala

    Brought to you by Freemans Auctioneers, The Circuit, with Caroline Stewart, takes you to The Kimmel Center for the Philadelphia Orchestra’s opening night concert and gala. Become a regular of our new blog to keep up with the hottest philanthropic events.

    Amid much excitement and anticipation, Canadian conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin made his debut as the music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra during its Opening Night Concert and Gala, held Oct. 18 at the Kimmel Center. The black-tie evening, co-chaired by Priscilla Holmes and Osagie Imasogie, began with a benefactor reception at the Kimmel’s Perelman Theater.

    Before the start of the concert, the orchestra received a standing ovation as orchestra president Allison Vulgamore announced their entrance onto the bare stage. The Philadelphia Orchestra Award, presented by orchestra chair Richard Worley, was given this year to the entire orchestra. Concertmaster David Kim accepted the award on behalf of the musicians.

    Opera star Renee Fleming performed at the Gala Concert, which featured Ravel’s Sheherazade, Brahms’s Symphony No. 4, and Strauss’s Mein Elemer! from Arabella.

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    Following the concert, the evening’s 700 guests enjoyed dinner prepared by Garces Catering’s Garces at the Kimmel. Dinner began with a trio plate of zucchini, roasted cauliflower and bacon-wrapped dates followed by a center cut filet and a coffee mousse with a chocolate and orange flavored ganache covering for dessert.

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