The Philadelphia Orchestra Celebrates its 70th Anniversary With a Tour through Israel and Europe

 By Erin Yoder for the Global Philadelphia Association

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is teaming up with the Philadelphia Orchestra in June to bring Israel the classical sounds of Brahms, Bernstein, and Tchaikovsky. Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin will be leading the orchestra on its second visit to the country, coinciding with Israel’s 70th anniversary.

“To have this remarkable opportunity to travel to Israel with the extraordinary Philadelphia Orchestra is a dream come true,” Nezet-Seguin said.

This will be the first time that Nezet-Seguin visits the country and it will be the first time for the Philadelphia Orchestra to return to Israel after its inaugural visit in 1992. The last time an American orchestra visited Israel was in 1996, making this year’s tour hold even more significance.

Not only will the concerts be broadcasted in Israel through the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation KAN, but it will also be broadcasted in the United States. WRTI 90.1 FM, a classical music station in Philadelphia, will simulcast the orchestra for their concerts on June 4th in Tel Aviv and June 5th in Jerusalem with host Gregg Whiteside.

While the main event is the concerts themselves, members of both the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Orchestra will also take part in a Patron Tour of the city. Orchestra musicians will also connect with Israeli students and musicians through diplomacy activities including holding music classes, holding a pop-up concert at Tel Aviv University, and more. They will immerse themselves in the culture of Israel, creating a stronger relationship between Philadelphia and Israel.

“The tour and patron mission will reinforce the powerful bond between Philadelphia and Israel and will create new opportunities for musical, cultural, and educational exploration,” Naomi Adler, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, said.

The orchestra’s visit to Israel also paves the way to bring a business delegation to Europe and Israel that will promote state and city trade as well as tourism. This will play a key role in establishing foreign investment in Pennsylvania through the strengthened bonds between American and European and Israeli business leaders.

“As a result of the business delegation trips that are a trademark of the Orchestra’s tours, Pennsylvania has built new relationship and seen additional foreign investments, “Governor Tom Wolf said.

Through the sounds of classical music and the exchanges between two different cultures, Philadelphia will be able to further establish itself as a global networking city in the world. The Philadelphia Orchestra has become a gateway for Philadelphia businesses to expand their outreach and to learn from other global businesses while simultaneously growing connections in other countries.