"We're pulling out all the stops in 2007-2008 to present exciting artist debuts, show-stoppers and family-friendly favorites," said Pops Conductor Erich Kunzel.

Pops opening weekend, September 7, 8 and 9, features The Three Phantoms - three of the former leads of Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster The Phantom of the Opera - Ron Bohmer, Cris Groenendaal and Craig Schulman. The three will sing standards from contemporary and classic Broadway in a unique homage to some of the greatest music written for male leads.

Exciting artist debuts

The Cincinnati Pops welcomes charismatic contemporary jazz/pop trumpeter Chris Botti to Music Hall. Botti has taken the music world by storm with his velvet tone and lush stylings of timeless songs.
Multi-faceted entertainer and star of ABC's hit comedy Whose Line is it Anyway?, Wayne Brady will give Pops audiences a first look at his new show with orchestra with lots of singing, lots of dancing and lots of laughs. Brady will perform a musical tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. and Sam Cooke. Audiences should plan to participate with Brady in some on-the-spot musical improv.

Showstoppers

The Manhattan Transfer will join the Cincinnati Pops for Happy Holidays with the Pops. Known for their brilliant vocal arrangements and sophisticated sounds, The Manhattan Transfer will offer a jazzy touch to holiday favorites. The Pops will add to the festivities, performing seasonal classics.
Blockbuster songwriter Burt Bacharach joins the Pops to perform selections from his arsenal of more than 50 Top 40 songs.

Family Favorites

Who wouldn't want to sing along to The Magical Music of Disney? Audiences can do just that in May for the Pops finale watching popular Disney songs come to life with exceptional singers and dancers. Featured vocalist Ashley Brown, currently starring as Mary Poppins on Broadway, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Brown also starred on Broadway as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Cirque du Symphonie will transform Music Hall into the "Big Top" and showcase high-flying action and amusing circus antics a la Cirque du Soleil. Combine a juggler, a contortionist, an aerialist, a couple of strongmen and of course the Cincinnati Pops and it all adds up to one spectacular event.

Steven Reineke Appointed Cincinnati Pops Music Associate and Principal Arranger/Composer
Steven Reineke, a protégé of Erich Kunzel, has been appointed Cincinnati Pops Music Associate and Principal Arranger/Composer. Recognized as the sound of the Cincinnati Pops, Reineke's 100+ arrangements for the Pops have been performed worldwide and on numerous Cincinnati Pops recordings on the Telarc label and have been broadcast nationally by PBS.

Reineke has conducted the symphony orchestras of Detroit, Toronto, Cincinnati, Naples, Indianapolis, Edmonton, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan. He will conduct the Hollywood Bowl this summer. In addition to his work for the Cincinnati Pops, Mr. Reineke has written and arranged for pops conductors Doc Severinson and Jack Everly.

Recordings

In 2007-2008, the Pops continues its recording activities on the Grammy Award-winning Telarc label, recording two new discs. Currently scheduled for release are two discs recorded in 2006:

* The Nutcracker

* Masters and Commanders

Season Tickets and Single Tickets

Season tickets for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra 2007-2008 season are available March 5. Subscribers receive discounts, preferred seating, flexible ticket exchange and other benefits. Single tickets go on sale to the general public August 8 with prices beginning at $23.75. -- www.cincinnatisymphony.org