Franz Welser-Most and the Cleveland Orchestra are presenting an unusually
rich vocal program during the next season, just announced.

For fans of Thomas Quasthoff, the end is the best - the season-closing
concerts, June 8 and 11, will have the bass-baritone in the title role
of Verdi's "Falstaff," with Twyla Robinson, Simon Keenlyside, Celena
Shafer, Luciana D'Intino and Kelley O'Connor in the cast (which is
incomplete at this point).

During the season's opening week, Stravinsky's "Requiem Canticles" will
be performed (soloists TBA), followed in November by the Faure Requiem
and the Poulenc Gloria, with Heidi Grant Murphy, Robert Porco conducting.
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson sings in Berlioz "Les nuits d'ete" and in the
local premiere of her husband's "Neruda Songs," Dec.  5-8.

Thomas Hampson sings Faust, Juliane Banse Gretchen, Alan Held Mephistopheles,
and John Tessier Ariel in Jan.  12 and 14 performances of Schumann's
"Scenes from Goethe's `Faust'." Felicity Lott and a mezzo not yet selected
will be on the Feb.  2-4 programs of Chausson's "Poeme de l'amour et de
la mer" and the complete Mendelssohn "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" in April will have Malin Hartelius, Bernarda
Fink, Christoph Strehl, James Taylor, Christian Gerhaher, and Olaf Baer.
On the other hand, so to speak, Lorin Maazel will conduct concerts in
May, of the Wagner "Ring"...  "without words," and therefore quite without
singers.  Karita Mattila is featured June 1 and 3, in Saariaho's "Quatre
Instants."

Janos Gereben
www.sfcv.org
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