Orchestras Are Wooed for Center

The Orange County Philharmonic Society hopes to schedule performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony and Cleveland Orchestra, among others, as part of the 1986-87 opening season of the Orange County Performing Arts Center, The Times has learned.

The $65.5-million center, located in Costa Mesa, is expected to open in the fall of 1986.

Erich Vollmer, the society’s executive director, told The Times on Friday that although no agreements have yet been signed: “We expect things to move rapidly after (new Center Executive Director Thomas) Kendrick gets here.”

Assumes Post Monday

Kendrick, who assumes the post Monday, could not be reached late Friday for comment at his offices at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, where he has served as director of operations since 1976.

Vollmer said the society, which has presented major orchestras in the county since 1954, plans two concerts by the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of German conductor Kurt Sanderling during the first two weeks of the season. Vollmer said that Andre Previn, who will take over the helm of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in October, “will not be available to conduct.”

Ernest Fleischmann, executive director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, said through a spokeswoman Friday that Previn would be unavailable “due to previous commitments.”

Representatives of the Chicago Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra could not be reached Friday for comment.

Vollmer said the society will present 12 concerts during the center’s opening season. “We’ve not been designated as the (sole) presenter at the center. We will be one of the presenters,” he said.

Vollmer plans appearances by the Cleveland Orchestra, Christoph von Dohnanyi conducting, Oct. 26, 1986; Johann Strauss Orchestra of Vienna, Jan. 17, 1987; Chicago Symphony, Georg Solti conducting, February, 1987; Swedish National Orchestra, Neemi Jarvi conducting, in early March, 1987, and the Warsaw National Philharmonic on March 15.

Timothy Strader, president and chief executive officer of the Center board, said Friday that final decisions on the Center’s opening lineup are expected to be made early next week. “The number of concerts by the Los Angeles Philharmonic is in flux,” he said. “Everything is under discussion and yet to be decided.”