Gershwin’s An American in Paris
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Thursday • Aug 20, 2026 • 7:30pm
Experience works by American composers with The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by rising star New Zealand conductor Gemma New, making her SPAC debut. The program opens with Montgomery’s Strum for string orchestra, a folk-inspired and layered piece that speaks to the versatility of modern classical music.
GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann also makes her SPAC debut with two works, Ravel’s lush, jazz-influenced Piano Concerto in G major and Florence Price’s once-lost Piano Concerto in One Movement. Cann is known as a leading performer of the previously unpublished work by Price, a prolific composer and the first African American woman to have a piece performed by a major orchestra. Closing out the program is Gershwin’s atmospheric An American in Paris, another jazz-inspired piece and an iconic work beloved by concertgoers for nearly a century.
Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, March 25 at 10AM.
SPAC Member presale takes place March 16 through 24, tiered by membership level:
- President’s Circle, Premiere Patron, & Corporate Visionary: Monday, March 16 at 10AM
- Golden Patron, Corporate Innovator, & Corporate Pioneer: Thursday, March 19 at 10AM
- Patron, Corporate Leader, & Corporate Mentor: Monday, March 23 at 10AM
- Bravo & Encore: Monday, March 23 at 10AM
- Applause & Ovation: Tuesday, March 24 at 10AM
Not a member? Join today for presale access!
Please note: All e-tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra will be sent one week prior to the performance date. Please contact the Box Office with any questions at 518-584-9330.
*Please note that web & phone ticket purchases will incur a $7 service fee; no fees are applied for in-person ticket purchases at our Box Office.
Premier parking is available as an optional upgrade! Limited spaces are available. Purchase at checkout for $20 and enjoy easy access to the Route 50 entry gate.
Choose premier parking as an add-on during ticket checkout or purchase separately here
General admission parking is free.
Program
| Montgomery | Strum, for string orchestra |
| Ravel | Piano Concerto in G major |
| Price | Piano Concerto in One Movement |
| Gershwin | An American in Paris |
This program is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes long, inclusive of one intermission.
Performers
Gemma New* | conductor
Michelle Cann* | piano
*Indicates SPAC debut
New Zealand-born Gemma New (ONZM) is Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She is the recipient of the prestigious 2021 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024.
Highlights of New’s 2025/2026 season include her debuts with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Belgian National Orchestra, SWR Sinfonieorchester, and with Houston Grand Opera leading a production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. She returns to lead the Münchner Rundfunkorchester, BBC Scottish Symphony, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada.
In her fourth season as Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, New conducts a string of fall 2025 performances in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, featuring the World Premiere of an NZSO commission by Tabea Squire and collaborating with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and saxophonist Jess Gillam. Other NZSO highlights include performances of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 and Mahler’s Sixth Symphony.
2023/2024 marked New’s ninth and final season as Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in Ontario, Canada. She previously served as Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony. A former Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Conducting Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, New was awarded Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards in 2017, 2019 and 2020, before receiving the 2021 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award.
Lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer and “a pianist of sterling artistry” by Gramophone, GRAMMY Award winning pianist Michelle Cann is one of the most sought-after artists of her generation. Recent engagements include appearances with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and Orquestra Sinfônica Municipal de São Paulo. She is a recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award, and she served as the inaugural Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner of the American Piano Awards.
Highlights of Cann’s 2025-26 season include appearances with the Colorado Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and Ireland’s National Symphony Orchestra. She also performs the world premiere of a new piano concerto by Valerie Coleman with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. Her recital appearances include Stanford Live, Music Toronto, Chamber Music Detroit, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Spivey Hall, and a recital tour in China.
Recognized as a leading interpreter of the piano music of Florence Price, Cann performed the New York City premiere of Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with The Dream Unfinished Orchestra in 2016. Her recording of the concerto with the New York Youth Symphony won a GRAMMY Award in 2023 for Best Orchestral Performance. She won a GRAMMY Award in 2025 for Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price, recorded with soprano Karen Slack, which features 19 unpublished songs composed by Price. Her acclaimed debut solo album Revival, featuring music by Price and Margaret Bonds, was released in 2023.
Cann holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and an Artist’s Diploma from Curtis Institute of Music. She joined the Curtis piano faculty in 2020 as the inaugural Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano Studies, and she is on the piano faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.
Ways to Save
Multi-Program Package
Purchase two or more BalletX, New York City Ballet, and/or Philadelphia Orchestra programs and use promo code MORESPAC26 to save 10%!
Family Four Pack
Buy four amphitheater seats for $99!
Offer valid for ticket pricing levels 5-9 in the amphitheater.
Discount will apply automatically at checkout once cart contains (4) tickets comprising of (2 or 3) child tickets and (1 or 2) adult tickets. Excludes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22).
Kids in Free
Kids 12 and under are free on the lawn and 50% off in the amphitheater (with an accompanying adult ticketholder) for performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra (excluding Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22), when they are 50% off on the lawn and in the amphitheater). Select “Child 12 and under” as the ticket type at checkout.
$40 under 40
Individuals up to 40 years old can enjoy $40 tickets inside the amphitheater!
Offer valid for pricing levels 4-7, select “$40 under 40” as your ticket type at checkout. Ticket must be picked up at will call with valid ID for proof of age. Excludes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22).
SPAC Member Discount
SPAC Members save 15%-20%* on all Philadelphia Orchestra tickets! Not a member? Join today!
*Discount is tiered by membership level.
Student Lawn Tickets
Students can enjoy $20 lawn tickets! Select “Student” as your ticket type at checkout. The student must pick up tickets at the SPAC Box Office on the day of the event and show proof of student ID or enrollment. Excludes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22).
Student Rush Tickets
Students can receive $25 amphitheater tickets based on seating availability. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day of the event at the SPAC Box Office. Valid student ID or proof of enrollment is required. Excludes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22).
Student Discount for Film Nights & Premium Events
Students can receive 15% off lawn or amphitheater tickets for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (8/8), Josh Groban (8/14), Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert (8/21), and Gregory Alan Isakov (8/22). Select “Student” as your ticket type at checkout. The student must pick up tickets at the SPAC Box Office on the day of the event and show proof of student ID or enrollment.
Educator Rush Tickets
Educators receive 10% off regular priced tickets. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day-of the event at the SPAC Box Office. Valid educator ID is required.
Military Rush Tickets
Active military members and veterans receive 10% off regular priced tickets. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day-of the event at the SPAC Box Office. Valid military ID is required.
Please note, only one discount is valid per ticket.
Group Sales
Experience SPAC together! From groups of friends and family to corporate outings, senior centers, summer camps, and arts schools, we can curate a special experience for your group of 10 or more. We offer discounts, flexible options and can work with your group leader to tailor your needs for a memorable day.
Thank You to Our 2026 Philadelphia Orchestra Sponsors
Patron’s Patio Sponsor,
The Adirondack Trust Company
“Kids in Free” Co-Sponsor, CDPHP
“Kids in Free” Co-Sponsor,
Fenimore Asset Management
Auto Sponsor, McGovern Automotive Group
Water Sponsor, Spirit Water
SPAC Amphitheater
Our main stage has a 25,000 person capacity with sheltered seats for 5,200 people and a sloping lawn for an additional 20,000 people.
SPAC Event Ground Rules
Applicable for SPAC-produced events only, including Saratoga Jazz Festival, New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and other special events.
Permitted Items
- Food, beverages, and disposable utensils (compostable, plastic, reusable, etc.)
- Blankets and breathable ground coverings
- Umbrellas
- Please note: Only personal-sized umbrellas will be permitted on the amphitheater lawn.
- Lawn Chairs
- Please note: Lawn chairs must not exceed 43” in height when opened. Lawn chairs on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26″ in height when opened.
- Tents
- Please note: Tents of any size will NOT be permitted on the Amphitheater lawn or immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage.
*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*
Items Not Permitted
- Metal utensils
- Plastic tarps
- Lawn chairs over 43” in height when opened
- Tents are prohibited from the Amphitheater lawn as well as the area immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage
- Grills, cooking equipment, or any flame that uses a liquid, gas, or gel accelerant
- Laser pointers
- Drones
- Professional audio or video recording equipment
- Cameras with detachable lenses
- Bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, etc.
- Pets (except ADA approved service animals)
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Weapons of any kind
*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*
Ground Rules
- Security Procedure – To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for SPAC visitors and staff, all bags will be inspected, and all personnel will be searched via metal detectors. Bags include but are not limited to coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and other containers. Any item that is not permitted to come onto the SPAC grounds should be disposed of or returned to your vehicle.
- Smoking is permitted on the SPAC grounds in designated areas only. Please ensure that all cigarette butts are disposed of properly.
- Guests are welcome to bring items such as blankets and umbrellas but please consider others around you. If your items are disruptive to others, you may be asked to remove them.
- Reentry is permitted for SPAC-produced events. Guests must obtain a reentry wristband from staff at the gates prior to exiting the venue.
- SPAC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to race, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and citizenship. Harassment includes but is not limited to stalking, verbal or physical intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome physical attention. If you are made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please immediately report any concerns to SPAC staff or security personnel so appropriate action can be taken.
Amphitheater House Rules for Classical Performances
“House” refers to seating inside the amphitheater. House rules are applicable inside the amphitheater for SPAC-produced events.
- Beverages are permitted in the amphitheater, but food is not.
- As a courtesy to the performers and the audience, guests arriving after the performances begin will not be seated until the earliest appropriate opportunity in the performance at the discretion of the House Staff.
- Please turn off or silence all mobile devices prior to the start of the program. Texting and making calls in the theater is not allowed. Should an emergency arise in which you must use a mobile device, we ask that you step outside of the theater to avoid disturbing other guests.
- Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.
All SPAC ground rules are subject to change. By entering the SPAC grounds, guests agree to abide by the rules listed above. Management reserves the right to modify these rules or can request to see the contents of any belongings brought on property at their discretion. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the utmost levels of safety and convenience for our guests and staff.
Where to Stay
Whether you’re visiting from out of town, or want to stay the night nearby after an event, Saratoga Springs has a place waiting for you. As part of our commitment to the community, SPAC is proud to collaborate with preferred hotel partners to offer the best experience to our guests.
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