Gurrelieder

Gurrelieder is big, really big. So big that the Philadelphia Orchestra is removing several rows of seats to extend its stage. So large that the orchestra has hired 50 extra players — Curtis pupils, retired members of the Orchestra and students of Orchestra regulars. So massive that an augmented chorus will spill over into proscenium boxes where patrons usually sit.

When Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra gave Arnold Schoenberg’s epic song cycle Gurrelieder its American premiere in 1932, the conductor chose to move from the Academy and use the larger Metropolitan Opera House at Broad and Popular — now a decaying relic.

The song cycle is the last major work of the romantic era into which the composer was born. After Gurrelieder, Schoenberg went in an opposite direction and wrote spare, chamber-like pieces.

The only other Philadelphia performances of Gurrelieder took place when Stokowski returned as guest conductor in 1961. He used the Academy of Music that time, with an extended stage similar to what we’ll see this week.

There are two individuals in particular to look for amidst the massive forces. You won’t be able to miss curly-haired maestro Simon Rattle (pictured). He’s guested here often, but his appearances may diminish now that he’s becoming music director of the Berlin Philharmonic. The other person is 92-year-old Rose Bampton Pelletier, who will be in the audience. She was 24 and graduating Curtis when Stokowski hired her to sing a lead role at the American premiere. That same year, she made her debut at the Met, where she starred for a quarter century. She married one of the Met’s conductors, Willifred Pelletier, and moved back to the Philadelphia area (Bryn Mawr) after he died.

—Steve Cohen

Gurrelieder, Jan. 20, 21, 22, 24, 8 p.m., $15-90, Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Sts., 215-893-1999.