Billy Joel [ tickets ] will join the Philadelphia Orchestra Jan. 26 at its original home, The Academy of Music, to celebrate the opera house's 151st anniversary.

The six-time Grammy winner will headline the annual event, which is also scheduled to feature Blue Man Group, soprano Disella Larusdottir, pianist Conrad Tao, and host Chris Matthews.

Joel's performance will be his first with a major American orchestra, according to a press release. He'll play a selection of songs from his 30-year career, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, led by conductor Christoph Eschenbach, will present the world premiere of Joel's classical composition "Waltz No. 2."

A portion of the proceeds from the event will support the Philly Orchestra's Billy Joel [ tickets ] Endowment Fund for Education. The donation marks the first time the Piano Man has created an endowment fund with an orchestra, although he has made significant donations to the music programs of several universities.

The Academy of Music Anniversary Concert is the first date on Joel's 2008 calendar, which also includes shows in Denver, Milwaukee and Sacramento, CA. Details are listed below.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's most recent album release is last year's "12 Gardens Live"--a double-CD set featuring performances from his record-breaking 12-night stand at New York City's Madison Square Garden in April 2006.

In February, Joel issued his first pop song since 1993, "All My Life," which was an anniversary present for his wife. The latest pop song he penned, "Christmas in Fallujah," is an anti-war tune that is performed by emerging singer/songwriter Cass Dillon.