Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

THE ARTS

Costa Mesa Bound: The New York Philharmonic will make its Orange County premiere Jan. 8, 1999, in an exclusive Southland concert under music director Kurt Masur at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. The orchestra last visited Southern California in August 1986 at UCLA’s Royce Hall under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. The program, to be announced later, will be presented by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County as part of its “The Year 1999,” a series of events devoted to “Beethoven: The Age of Revolution and Romance.” Information: (714) 553-2422.

Baltimore Bound: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has appointed conductor Yuri Temirkanov--the music director and principal conductor of Russia’s St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra--as music director, beginning with the 1999-2000 season. He replaces David Zinman, who departs in June. Temirkanov, who is also principal conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, will assume conducting duties in Baltimore in 2000. He will also maintain his posts in St. Petersburg and London.

Ante Up: The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens is increasing its admission price by $1, starting Saturday, to accommodate rising costs said to be caused by higher profile exhibitions, increased programs and higher operating expenses. The new prices will be $8.50 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for students, with children under 12 free.

POP/ROCK

He Can Spare a Dime: David Bowie has been named Britain’s richest rock star by Business Age magazine, which said the singer had a personal fortune of $917 million, topping former Beatle Paul McCartney, who was said to have amassed $868 million. Tom Jones ranked third with $460 million, followed by Phil Collins ($367 million) and Elton John ($333 million). The magazine compiled the list by examining the company accounts, record sales and other earnings of all major British pop acts over the past 35 years.

QUICK TAKES

Bob Hope was named an honorary U.S. veteran in a Capitol Rotunda ceremony Wednesday, commemorating his half-century of work entertaining troops around the world. The 94-year-old Hope is the first American to be so honored by Congress. . . . “Ragtime” at the Shubert Theatre has been extended through March 8. The company will then depart for a tour beginning in Vancouver, British Columbia. Tickets for the extension go on sale Sunday. . . . Performer and docu-dramatist Anna Deavere Smith’s current project finally has a title: “House Arrest: First Edition”--following a long period of development. The work, which focuses on political leadership in Washington, opens at Arena Stage in the nation’s capital Nov. 19 and is slated for the Mark Taper Forum--which is co-producing it with three other theaters--next April. . . . The divorce of actors Ralph Fiennes (“The English Patient”) and Alex Kingston (“ER”) was made official this week in London.