Summer Series Program Told by Symphony

Three programs devoted to single composers will be offered as part of the Pacific Symphony’s third Summer Series at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, July 4 through Sept. 15.

Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky programs will be held July 21, Aug. 18 and Sept 15, respectively. An American music program--to include popular and Broadway numbers sung by J.Q. and the Bandits, a ‘50s-style quartet--will open the series on July 4, and a Spanish-flavored concert is slated for Sept. 1.

Each concert will begin at 8:30 p.m. Picnic grounds will open at 6 p.m. Fireworks will be featured at the first and last concerts.

Conducting will be Kate Tamarkin, Toshiyuki Shimada (both of whom conducted the orchestra last summer), Evans Haile, Bruce Ferden and Pacific assistant conductor Lucas Richman. Soloists will include soprano Carla Burns, violinist Isabella Lippi, cellist Allison Eldredge and pianists Nelson Freire, Andreas Bach and Haile.

The schedule:

* July 4: Victor Herbert’s “American Fantasia”; John Adams’ “Short Ride on a Fast Machine”; Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” (soloist: Haile), Overture to “Tip Top,” song selections (soloist: Burns); pop and Broadway tunes (J.Q. & the Bandits); marches by Sousa. Haile will conduct.

* July 21: Beethoven’s “Leonore” Overture No. 3, Piano Concerto No. 3 (soloist: Bach), Symphony No. 6 (“Pastorale”). Shimada will conduct.

* Aug. 18: Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik,” Violin Concerto No. 5 (soloist: Lippi), Symphony No. 41 (“Jupiter”). Tamarkin will conduct.

* Sept. 1: Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture”; Falla’s “Nights in the Gardens of Spain”; Chabrier’s “Espana”; Suite No. 1 from Bizet’s “Carmen”; Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G (soloist: Freire) and “Bolero.” Richman will conduct.

* Sept. 15: Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” Fantasy-Overture, excerpts from “Swan Lake,” “Marche slave,” “Variations on a Rococo Theme” (soloist: Eldredge), “1812” Overture. Ferden will conduct.

Subscriptions to the public will go on sale in April ($65 to $185; some children’s subscriptions will be available for $32.50 to $50; season tables for four are available for $2,700). Information: (714) 474-4233.