MUSIC : SOUNDS FAMILIAR : Pacific Symphony Aims to Please, Not to Challenge

The Pacific Symphony’s five-concert summer series at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, which starts Wednesday, will focus on the tried-and-true, “very popular classical music,” in the words of Louis G. Spisto, the orchestra’s executive director.

The concerts have been organized around such “themes” as the opening “All American Celebration” (Wednesday is July 4; there’ll be fireworks); all-Mozart and all-Beethoven programs July 21 and Aug. 18 respectively, an “Espana” program Sept. 1 and the closing “Tchaikovsky Spectacular” Sept. 15. Conductors are Evans Haile July 4; Toshiyuki Shimada July 21; Kate Tamarkin Aug. 18; Lucas Richman, the Pacific’s assistant conductor, Sept. 1; and Bruce Ferden Sept. 15.

“People like to feel, when coming to a summer venue, that they are there to hear and experience music they already believe they will enjoy,” Spisto says. “They’re not coming for new experiences.”

“That’s true for us and for Hollywood Bowl as well,” he adds. “They want music that is pleasant, pleasurable and to a large extent entertaining. We make no excuse for the programs.”

So far the strategy is a success. “Certainly the themes have helped sales,” says Spisto, reporting 4,638 series subscriptions sold as of June 15 (last summer, the orchestra sold fewer than 2,700). That translates into approximately $570,000; reaching the summer budget figure of $600,000 should be a piece of cake.

“It is very likely that we will be expanding in future seasons. But not next year,” Spisto says, striking another don’t-rock-the-boat-type note. “We want to have two to three seasons of a real solid base before we expand. One thing that is clear about other orchestras which have gotten into trouble: When you expand too fast, you wind up paying for it later. We’re very happy with doing five concerts.”

What: The Pacific Symphony

When: Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Series continues July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 1 and 15. Picnic grounds open before each program, at 6 p.m.

Where: The Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, 8800 Irvine Center Drive, Laguna Hills.

Whereabouts: 405 Freeway to Irvine Center Drive exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp if you’re coming from the south, right if you’re coming from the north.

Wherewithal: $10.50 to $37.50. Lawn seating: $8.50. Series tickets: $65 to $185.

(714) 474-4233. Tickets also available through Ticketmaster outlets, located in Music Plus and Where to call: May Company stores, or through the Ticketmaster charge line: (714) 740-2000.