Tchaikovsky Spectacular
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Wednesday • Aug 05, 2026 • 7:30pm
Philadelphia Orchestra Guest Conductor Marin Alsop returns to SPAC leading the orchestra in a dazzling evening of Tchaikovsky featuring the 1812 Overture with live cannon fire and a brilliant fireworks display.
Opening the program is The Philadelphia Orchestra’s lush and romantic interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, followed by the composer’s thunderingly dramatic and achingly beautiful Romeo and Juliet, instantly recognizable thanks to its use throughout pop culture.
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 Upgrade Available!
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
| Tchaikovsky | Symphony No. 5 |
| Tchaikovsky | Romeo and Juliet |
| Tchaikovsky | 1812 Overture |
This program is approximately 2 hours long, inclusive of one intermission.
Performers
Marin Alsop | conductor
One of the foremost conductors of our time, Marin Alsop is the first woman to serve as the head of major orchestras in the United States, South America, Austria, and Great Britain. She is internationally recognized for her innovative approach to programming and is the first and only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.
Alsop serves as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony; Principal Guest Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra; Principal Guest Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra; and Chief Conductor of the Ravinia Festival. She made history as the first female conductor of the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms. Her long-awaited Berlin Philharmonic debut was in 2025.
To nurture the careers of women conductors, Alsop founded the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship to empower extraordinary women conductors through intensive coaching, mentoring, and financial support. Today, all 36 award winners hold over 30 music director or chief conductor positions.
Alsop is a 2025-26 Carnegie Hall Perspectives artist, leading concerts by the Philharmonia Orchestra, and America at 250 programs with The Philadelphia Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, and The Juilliard Orchestra. Other season highlights include opening The Philadelphia Orchestra’s season with the world premiere of John Adams’ The Rock You Stand On, dedicated to her; concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Houston Symphony; Washington National Opera; Polish National Radio Symphony; ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra; and Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.
In 2021, Alsop assumed the title of Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. During her 14-year tenure as Music Director, she led the orchestra on its first European tour in 13 years, conducted more than two dozen world premieres, and founded the music education program OrchKids. She is the winner of the 2025 the Golden Baton Award from the League of American Orchestras.
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.
Kids in Free
For New York City Ballet, kids 16 and under are free on the lawn and 50% off in the amphitheater (with an accompanying adult ticketholder)! Select “Child 16 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 film nights and select premium performances.
SPAC Member Discount
SPAC Members save 15%-20%* on all New York City Ballet tickets! Not a member? Join today!
*Discount is tiered by membership level.
Student Tickets
Students can enjoy $20 lawn tickets or 15% off tickets in the amphitheater! 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.
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.
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.
This program is made possible in part with generous support from Hudson Headwaters Health Network.
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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