Disney’s The Lion King in Concert
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Thirty years after the original release, experience Disney’s The Lion King on the big screen, as the orchestra performs Hans Zimmer’s Oscar®-winning musical score live. Featuring unforgettable music from superstar Elton John and award-winning lyricist Tim Rice, and African vocal and choir arrangements by the GRAMMY® Award–winning South African producer and composer Lebo M (Rhythm of the Pride Lands).
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts.
Please note: Classical Kids Student Lawn Passes will not be valid for admission to this event. Please contact the SPAC box office if you would like to purchase tickets at 518-584-9330.
Program
Zimmer and John | The Lion King (complete with film)
Performers
Constantine Kitsopoulos | conductor
Constantine Kitsopoulos has established himself as a dynamic conductor known for his ability to work in many different genres and settings. He is equally at home with opera, symphonic repertoire, film with live orchestra, music theatre, and composition. His work has taken him worldwide, where he has conducted the major orchestras of North America, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the Tokyo Philharmonic.
During the 2023-2024 season, Maestro Kitsopoulos will conduct return engagements with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Pacific, New Jersey, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco symphonies.
Highlights of previous seasons include return engagements with the Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, and New York Philharmonic. Kitsopoulos also conducted Leonard Bernstein’s Mass and Candide at Indiana University Opera Theatre.
In addition to Maestro Kitsopoulos’ engagements as guest conductor, he was Music Director of the Festival of the Arts Boca from 2010 until 2023, General Director of Chatham Opera between 2005 – 2015. He was Assistant Chorus Master at New York City Opera from 1984-1989.
Maestro Kitsopoulos’ has developed semi-staged productions of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, for which he has written a new translation, Don Giovanni, and La Bohème. He has conducted IU Opera Theatre’s productions of Mass, Falstaff, Die Fledermaus, A View from the Bridge, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Most Happy Fella, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Music Man,and The Last Savage. He will return in the 2023-24 season to conduct their production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.
On Broadway, Maestro Kitsopoulos has been Music Director of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (cast album on PS Classics), A Catered Affair (cast album on PS Classics), Coram Boy, Baz Luhrmann’s Production of Puccini’s La Bohème (cast album on DreamWorks Records), Swan Lake, and Les Misérables. He was Music Director of ACT’s production of Weill/Brecht’s Happy End and conducted the only English-language recording of the piece for Sh-K-Boom Records.
Maestro Kitsopoulos studied piano with Marienka Michna, Chandler Gregg, Edward Edson, and Sophia Rosoff. He studied conducting with Semyon Bychkov, Sergiu Commissiona, Gustav Meier, and his principal teacher Vincent La Selva.
Our 2024 New York City Ballet & The Philadelphia Orchestra residencies are made possible with support from DeCrescente, Mackey Auto Group and Kids in Free sponsor, Fenimore Asset Management, as well as, additional supporting corporate sponsors & individual contributors.
“Kids in Free” Presented by Fenimore Asset Management
Did you know?! Kids 12 and under are free on the lawn with an accompanying adult for Saratoga Jazz Festival and all performances of New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra (excluding movie nights when they are 50% off).
Kids 12 and under are also 50% off in amphitheater for Saratoga Jazz Festival and all performances of New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
No tickets are required for Kids in Free admission with an accompanying adult ticket holder – go directly to the gate! Made possible by Fenimore Asset Management.
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 Amphitheater Ground Rules
Applicable for classical events including New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra. View Live Nation event ground rules here.
Permitted Items
- Food, beverages, and disposable utensils (compostable, plastic, reusable, etc).
- Picnic blankets and breathable ground coverings.
- Umbrellas and chairs are permitted, but will be restricted by sizing for use on the main amphitheater lawn, as follows:
- Lawn chairs must not exceed 43” when collapsed.
- Lawn chairs on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26″ in height when opened.
- Only personal-sized umbrellas will be permitted on the lawn.
- NO tents of any size will be permitted on the amphitheater lawn.
Items Not Permitted
- Metal utensils
- Plastic tarps
- Tents are prohibited from the Amphitheater lawn.
- 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
Grounds:
- To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all SPAC visitors and staff, all containers and packages will be inspected. This includes coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and all 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 blankets and umbrellas but please consider others around you- if your items are disruptive to others, you may be asked to remove them.
- In the event that guests are unable to sit through the entire performance, please note that there is a grassy area behind the Julie Bonacio Family Pavilion with access to a video screen which would allow guests to continue watching the performance.
House:
- Beverages are permitted in the amphitheater, but food is not.
- As a courtesy to the performers and the audience, latecomers won’t 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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