Gardner replaces Donald Runnicles; concert program to now include Elgar’s ”Enigma” Variations
(Philadelphia, October 11, 2019)—Edward Gardner has graciously agreed to lead The Philadelphia Orchestra’s February 27–29 concerts, marking his debut with the ensemble. He replaces Donald Runnicles, who has withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict.
The program now includes Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem and Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations. Daugherty’s Once Upon a Castle for organ and orchestra, featuring Paul Jacobs, will remain on the program. Elgar’s In the South and Introduction and Allegro, as well as Respighi’s Pines of Rome are no longer on the program. This concert is part of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Experience, supported through a generous grant from the Wyncote Foundation.
Chief Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic since October 2015, Edward Gardner was recently appointed Principal Conductor Designate of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with his tenure commencing in September 2021.
In demand as a guest conductor, Gardner has led the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Wiener Symphoniker, Royal Opera House, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano. In April 2019, he conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Lincoln Center in New York.
Gardner will appear this season at the Royal Opera House for a revival of Benoît Jacquot’s production of Werther and the Metropolitan Opera for performances of Le damnation de Faust. He will conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra in four concerts across the season and will bring the Bergen Philharmonic to the Royal Festival Hall. He will finish the season by taking the Bergen Philharmonic on their first-ever tour of China. In addition to The Philadelphia Orchestra, other guest conducting highlights include performances with the San Francisco Symphony, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
Music Director of English National Opera for ten years, Gardner has an ongoing relationship with New York’s Metropolitan Opera, where he has conducted productions of Carmen, Don Giovanni, Der Rosenkavalier, and Werther. He has also conducted at La Scala, Chicago Lyric Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and Opéra National de Paris.
Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations
February 27 at 7:30 PM—Thursday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
February 28 at 2:00 PM—Friday afternoon—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
February 29 at 8:00 PM—Saturday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Edward Gardner Conductor—Philadelphia Orchestra Debut
Paul Jacobs Organ
Britten Sinfonia da Requiem
Daugherty Once Upon a Castle, for organ and orchestra
Elgar “Enigma” Variations
About The Philadelphia Orchestra
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Natalie Lewis
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Ashley Stahmer
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