Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin Extends Contract through 2025-2026 Season, Leads The Philadelphia Orchestra for the Next Decade

Nézet-Séguin is Simultaneously Announced as Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera Beginning with 2020-2021 Season

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Jun 02, 2016, 10:34 ET

PHILADELPHIA, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Philadelphia Orchestra announced today that Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin has further extended his deep commitment to the Orchestra, through the 2025-26 season, confirming his leadership of The Philadelphia Orchestra for the next decade. By then he will have been music director for 14 years, the third longest tenure of musical leadership after legendary conductors Eugene Ormandy and Leopold Stokowski.

Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin has further extended his deep commitment to the Orchestra, through the 2025-26 season, confirming his leadership of The Philadelphia Orchestra for the next decade. Additionally, with simultaneous announcements in Philadelphia and New York, the Metropolitan Opera announced Yannick Nezet-Seguin as music director, effective with the start of the 2020-21 season.

Additionally, with simultaneous announcements in Philadelphia and New York, the Metropolitan Opera announced Yannick Nézet-Séguin as music director, effective with the start of the 2020-21 season.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Yannick Nézet-Séguin's extraordinary leadership in place for the next decade," said President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. "The new extension reflects his fervent commitment to Philadelphia. Moreover, we will have the benefit of his dynamic leadership through The Philadelphia Orchestra's 125th anniversary and the 250th anniversary celebration of American independence in the nation's birthplace."

"I never imagined that I could live the dream of having the legendary and magnificent Philadelphia Orchestra in my life, so it is with great joy that I extend my commitment for at least another 10 years," said Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. "Becoming music director of the premier and most extraordinary Metropolitan Opera is double the dream. I am, without doubt, the luckiest music director in the world today."

Heralded by critics, audiences, and musicians alike for their partnership, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra are inspiring the future and translating the ensemble's rich tradition of achievement into a new generation, not only sustaining the highest level of artistic quality, but also challenging―and exceeding―that level by creating powerful musical experiences for audiences at home and around the world.

Nézet-Séguin has also worked tirelessly to build ties within the community. Of particular importance is the recently announced HEAR initiative―Health, Education, Access, and Research. The series of collaborative learning initiatives represents the most comprehensive and dynamic portfolio of community engagement in the Orchestra's recent history.

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SOURCE The Philadelphia Orchestra