David L. Cohen, the former US ambassador to Canada, and his wife Rhonda R. Cohen handed over a $10.5 million check to the Philadelphia Orchestra on October 22, 2026. The sum is not a one-off donation. It will establish the Fund for Cultural Diplomacy, bankrolling domestic and international tours, residencies, and educational exchanges.
The money arrives as the orchestra gears up for its 14th visit to China, a streak that began in 1973 when it became the first American ensemble to perform in the People’s Republic. It holds the record for the most tours by any US orchestra. The upcoming itinerary kicks off in Incheon, South Korea, on November 5, before moving to Seoul, Haikou, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.
Cohen told WHYY that music builds trust where diplomacy often stalls. He cited the goodwill generated during the orchestra’s 2021–2025 tours of Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa. “Cultural institutions can contribute to international relations in ways that traditional diplomatic engagements may not always achieve,” he said.
Beyond touring, the gift creates the Artistic Innovation and Discovery Fund. Music and artistic director Yannick Nézet-Séguin will use it to champion overlooked and emerging composers, following the 2022 Grammy-winning recording of Florence Price’s work. The donation also endows the orchestra’s top executive post, now titled the ‘Ambassador David L Cohen and Rhonda R Cohen President and CEO’ position, held by Ryan Fleur.
The announcement caps a fundraising campaign that raised $344 million, surpassing its target. The orchestra will begin its Asian leg in Incheon on November 5, aiming to deepen cultural ties across the region.