Make Waves With Erich Kunzel

This swashbuckling program also includes traditional sea chanteys performed by the The United States Navy Sea Chanters and an exciting fencing sequence by talented drama students from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Drama Department set to "Swords Crossed" from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Conductor and avid sailor Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops take you "Out to Sea" in a program highlighting valiant seamen, tempestuous captains, pirates, pilgrims and more.

Alexander Streltsov, the noted Cirque Ingenieux performer, returns with a breathtaking cube act performed on stage as well as his trademark aerial acrobatics.

"Cincinnati Pops audiences know that I am very fond of sailing, and they are familiar with our popular 'Sailing' and 'Victory At Sea' albums on the Telarc label, so this really is a fun program," said Erich Kunzel. "Bringing the United States Navy Sea Chanters back to Cincinnati for 'Out to Sea' perfectly rounds out the program's theme."

In addition to music from the popular Pirates of the Caribbean movies and selections from South Pacific, Maestro Kunzel and the Pops will perform film music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Miklós Rózsa. Korngold's Captain Blood Overture and Suite from Sea Hawk will be included, as well as Rózsa's "The Mayflower" from Plymouth Adventure and selections from All the Brothers Were Valiant.

A Seafaring Lobby Display

At each concert, an Optimist eight-foot dinghy with 10-foot sail will be on display in the Music Hall lobby, courtesy of Cowen Lake Sailing Association, and representatives from the Cincinnati Sail and Power Squadron distribute information about boating and boating safety. In addition, the Cincinnati Museum Center will promote its "Titanic" exhibit with a display that includes information about the exhibit including ticket discounts.

United States Navy Band Sea Chanters, MUC Keith D. Hinton, musical director

The United States Navy Band Sea Chanters chorus is the official chorus of the United States Navy. The ensemble performs a variety of music ranging from traditional choral music, including the sea chantey, to Broadway musicals. Under the leadership of Senior Chief Musician Russell J. Rathier, the Sea Chanters appear throughout the United States and often perform at the White House, the Vice President's home and for other Washington dignitaries. The group's history goes back to 1956. Female voices were added in 1980, increasing the chorus' repertoire.

The Sea Chanters have become one of the preeminent professional choral ensembles in the country today. The Sea Chanters have performed at national events such as the 55th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony in 2005. They have played a vital role in comforting the nation in times of mourning, including appearances at memorials for the astronauts of the space shuttle Columbia and the Presidential wreath laying ceremony at the United Airlines Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Their performance of "Amazing Grace" at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance at the National Cathedral in Washington after the events of 9/11 inspired all in attendance as well as a national television audience. They have appeared at the Kennedy Center Honors and with the National Symphony Orchestra for the nationally telecast "National Memorial Day Concerts" at the U.S. Capitol. In addition the group has appeared on "Larry King Live" and "CBS This Morning" as well as at the premiere of the movie, Pearl Harbor.

Noted choral directors Dale Warland and Donald Neuen have guest conducted the ensemble, and renowned composers Roger Bourland, William MacDuff and Lloyd Pfautsch have written works especially for them. Other notable orchestral appearances include the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

For the first 25 years the men of the Sea Chanters enjoyed a great reputation performing with such stars as Perry Como, Marian Anderson and Kenny Rogers. Throughout their history, the Sea Chanters have remained true to the Navy's watchwords of pride and professionalism.

Alexander Streltsov

Aerial artist and acrobat Alexander Streltsov's career has taken him from the Moscow Circus and Cirque Ingenieux to the stage of Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center and beyond. His natural strength, artistic expression and grace combined with music, lighting and special stage effects make his performances dramatic and unique. He is familiar to Cincinnati audiences for his breathtaking performances at Riverbend (where he made his debut with Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops in 1998) including the Pops' national live PBS broadcast on July 4, 2000. Most recently he soared above the Riverbend stage as special guest for the Cincinnati Pops "Star Wars Spectacular" concerts in July 2005. -- www.cincinnatisymphony.org