OCPAC Boosts 1999-2000 Offerings

To build an audience for its future 1,800-seat concert venue and a 500-seat music hall, the Orange County Performing Arts Center already is beginning to expand its offerings by adding two classical music series and more chamber music next season.

“When the new concert hall and music hall are built, we are going to have four functioning halls and 75% more seats than we have now,” center President Jerry E. Mandel said. “If everything goes as hoped, that’s about five years away, which is not that long.”

The new offerings include a vocal series, to be highlighted by two evenings of baritone Thomas Hampson singing all the Mahler songs, and a keyboard series, with Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes making his Founders Hall debut.

The new programs don’t just grab ensembles that are on tour, said Aaron Egigian, director of center programming.

“It’s a process of hooking up with something unique and interesting that’s not part of a regular tour. It’s the music that’s driving the programming.”

Mandel said the center isn’t vying with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County or the Pacific Symphony, which also present events at the Costa Mesa complex.

“I don’t see [the added series] as competitive but as complementary. It gives people a chance to come where they might not otherwise,” he said.

“The center is in its 13th year. A million new people have moved to Orange County since it opened. Our job is to get them to the center through a variety of offerings.”

* Subscriptions go on sale June 20: $234 for the Classical Ensemble Series; $128 for the Vocal Series; $103 for the Keyboard Series. Prices for individual concerts will be announced. Information: (714) 556-2787.