Chorale Season to Include Moscow Ensemble

Chorovaya Akademia, a Moscow-based all-male ensemble, will make its Orange County debut as part of the Pacific Chorale’s six-concert 1998-99 season.

The ensemble, founded in 1989 and led by Alexander Sedov, will sing a traditional Russian sacred and secular repertory Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. in Founders Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

The season will open Nov. 1 in Founders Hall with music director John Alexander conducting the 30-voice John Alexander Singers in Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Waltzes” and Four Quartets; Schumann’s “Zigeunerleben”; Britten’s “Five Flower Songs”; and Ravel’s “Trois Chansons.”

Alexander will also lead the 160-member chorale in programs in the center’s Segerstrom Hall.

The 1998-99 season:

* Nov. 1, Founders Hall: music by Brahms, Schumann, Britten and Ravel.

* Nov. 15, Segerstrom Hall: Walton’s “Belshazzar’s Feast”; Ginestera’s Psalm 150; Howard Hanson’s Two Psalms, “The Cherubic Hymn” and “How Excellent Thy Name.”

* Dec. 20, Segerstrom Hall: holiday program.

* Feb. 21, Founders Hall: Chorovaya Akademia.

* March 21: Segerstrom Hall: Handel’s “Dixit Dominus”; Bach’s “Komm, Jesu komm” and “Singet dien Herrn ein neues Lied”; baroque music by Mexican composers.

* May 23, 1999: Segerstrom Hall: a cappella music by Rachmaninoff, Chesnokov and other Russian composers; Poulenc’s Mass in G; Pablo Casals’ “O Vos Omnes”; international folk songs; American spirituals.

All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast later on KKGO-FM (105.1), except for the Feb. 21 program. The Founders Hall concerts are jointly sponsored with the center.

Subscriptions to various concert packages range from $27 to $187. Individual ticket prices will be announced. (714) 662-2345.