Youngstown Symphony Orchestra patrons will have to wait a little longer for Sergey Bogza to make his debut as the orchestra’s new conductor and music director.

The Youngstown Symphony Society announced Tuesday that due to “unforeseen circumstances” Bogza would be unable to conduct the opening concert of the 2024-25 season at Powers Auditorium on Saturday.

Taking the baton in his place will be Edward Leonard of Pittsburgh. The South Carolina native started studying violin at age 4 and later studied piano. He has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the College of Charleston and his master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Carnegie Mellon University.

Leonard has conducted various ensembles, including the Pittsburgh Philharmonic and the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, and he is the founder of The Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh. He also is active with youth orchestras, including the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Chamber Connection at Chautauqua Institute.

Saturday’s concert, “Rhapsody Royale,” will include Michel Torke’s “Javelin,” Sergey Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Antonin Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance in A-flat major, Franz LIszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 and conclude with Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” for Orchestra and Solo Viola, arranged by Nicholas Hersch.

Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev, winner of the 2005 World Piano Competition, will be the featured soloist on the Rachmaninoff and Gershwin pieces. Yakushev has performed with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, BBC Concert Orchestra and Boston Pops.

According to Matt Pagac, chief executive and operating officer of the Youngstown Symphony Society, “We are looking forward to an inspiring evening of music, and we appreciate the understanding and support from our patrons, musicians, and the community.”

Bogza was named music director and conductor of the orchestra in June and replaced Randall Craig Fleischer, who died in 2020.

If you go …

WHAT: “Rhapsody Royale” — Youngstown Symphony Orchestra with Edward Leonard, guest conductor, and Ilya Yakushev, piano

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Powers Auditorium, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown

HOW MUCH: Tickets range from $20 to $63 and are available at the DeYor Performing Arts Center box office, online at experienceyourarts.org and by calling 330-259-9651.