The Las Vegas Philharmonic to perform Pictures at an Exhibition on May 9

By Debbie Hall

Everyone is invited to experience a powerful season finale as the Las Vegas Philharmonic closes out its 27th season at The Smith Center on May 9 with an evening of bold, evocative music. Audiences will be transported by Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, alongside a compelling work by Las Vegas composer Kevin Day, all led by Music Director Designate Rei Hotoda. It's a night where classical brilliance meets local creativity—an inspiring reflection of the city's ever-evolving artistic voice.

Guests can expect:

• Kevin Day – Manhattan Nights

• Mozart — Piano Concerto No. 23 in A, K. 488

• Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel) — Pictures at an Exhibition

"The amazing jewel of Las Vegas is these musicians of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and I am so excited to showcase them in this program this weekend in so many different ways. The program is very eclectic, and I think that it's a reflection of the things that I like to bring out as a music director of this orchestra, and that is really bringing the talent pool that we have in Las Vegas to the forefront," explained Hotoda.

"We are featuring a local composer, Kevin Day. The first piece of the program is called Manhattan Nights, and it's by a young, nationally renowned composer who lives in Las Vegas. Again, that includes the incredible musicians of the orchestra, but we are featuring a local composer, Kevin Day. He's a jazz musician, and all audiences from all kinds of backgrounds can really appreciate this piece. I thought it'd be really fun to showcase his work to open the program."

The Las Vegas Philharmonic features an exceptional ensemble of highly skilled musicians whose performances bring extraordinary depth and emotion to every composition. In Pictures at an Exhibition, the power of live orchestral music enhances the work's vivid storytelling, immersing audiences in the imaginative world inspired by a series of paintings created by the composer's close friend. The visual influence behind the music remains a vital element of the experience, transforming each movement into a rich and expressive musical portrait.

"The audience will hear the Great Gates of Kyiv. Each of us individually has this conception of what grandeur could be like for them. So this is a piece that will really be accessible to all kinds of visual elements in your own personal experience of listening to it live. I think nothing really beats live music," added Hotoda. "You can hear a recording of it, but when you hear 76 musicians on stage, playing their hearts out, there is a connection with the audience that is immediate and visceral. I can't wait to share that with everyone. There's something for everyone on this program, an exciting jazz piece, a Mozart piano concerto that's just incredibly delicate and beautiful, to the incredibly powerful pictures in an exhibition."

The May performance is Hotoda's preview show for Las Vegas' symphony fans, as she prepares to become the Philharmonic's Music Director on July 1.

Celebrating its 28^th season in 2026, the Las Vegas Philharmonic is a cultural leader in one of the United States' most dynamic cities. The Las Vegas Philharmonic continues to inspire a lifelong appreciation of music through performances and educational experiences for the Las Vegas community. At the orchestra's core, 74 professional musicians bring depth and variety to the organization. Each season of concerts and performances highlights local talents alongside incredible nationally and internationally recognized guest artists on the Reynolds Hall stage at The Smith Center.

Through music education, the Youth Concert Series, and community engagement programs, the Las Vegas Philharmonic's commitment to Las Vegas extends from the concert hall to the classroom. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Philharmonic's community, education, and artistic programs are made possible by the donations and support of individuals and corporations.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic will perform at The Smith Center on May 9. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by a pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m. The performance is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

To learn more, visit lvphil.org or call 702.258.5438. Follow the Las Vegas Philharmonic on Facebook and on Instagram @lvphil. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit The Smith Center at thesmithcenter.com/tickets/las-vegas-philharmonic.