MASTER CHORALE SEASON ANNOUNCED

Eight different concerts in 15 separate performances comprise the 1986-87 Music Center season of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, its 23rd season in residence at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. John Currie, incoming music director of the choral organization, will lead six of the eight programs.

A single performance of the Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi opens the season Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. Currie will conduct and vocal soloists will be Deborah Ford, Alice Baker, Richard Leech and Richard Cowan.

Four performances of the annual Master Chorale Christmas program will be given, with Currie conducting, in the Pavilion on Dec. 13 at 2 and 8 p.m., Dec. 14, 8 p.m., and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.

The annual “Messiah” Sing-Alongs will be presented three times, Dec. 21-23, all at 8 p.m., with Currie presiding.

Roger Wagner, founder of the Master Chorale in the fall of 1964 and now its music director laureate, returns as guest conductor for the Jan. 31 performance. His program will feature great opera choruses, including music from “Aida,” “Carmen,” Madama Butterfly,” “Die Meistersinger,” “Prince Igor” and “Il Trovatore.”

Currie, a native of Scotland, will give Southern California audiences a taste of some of the popular and beloved tunes of his homeland in a program to be called “Music From the Highlands” and featuring folk singer Jean Redpath, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.

One performance on March 1 of a Beethoven program, including the Overture to “Egmont,” “Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage,” the Choral Fantasy and the Mass in C, will feature pianist Michael Zearott and singers Mary Rawcliffe and Thomas Wilcox. Currie will conduct.

Returning to the Master Chorale podium, Robert Willoughby Jones, executive director of the organization, will lead two semi-staged performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers.” Former D’Oyly Carte principal Alistair Donkin will be featured, and will also stage the performances. His onstage colleagues will include Ali England, Evelyn de la Rosa, Nancy Fontana, Stephen Amerson, Jonathan Mack, John Matthews and Michael Gallup.

To close the season, Currie will conduct a single performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on the night before Easter, April 18, at 8 p.m., with vocal soloists Andrea Matthews, Christine Cairns, Paul Johnson and Richard Cowan.

Information: (213) 972-7282.