Continuing the summer season of the Talcott Mountain Music Festival, presented by Chubb, guest conductor Michael Berkowitz will lead the Hartford Symphony Orchestra in a tribute to Motown and R&B with vocal quartet Spectum on Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows.

Classical Spectacular returns exclusively to Melbourne in 2008 with a dazzling all-new laser, lights and special effects show choreographed to some of the world's best-known classical music tunes.

In keeping with the Talcott Mountain Music Festival's annual red-white-and-blue tradition, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra presents Celebrate America! on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows.

James Ehnes won the 2008 Grammy for best instrumental solo performance with orchestra for his recording of a selection of violin concertos. His excellent wrangling of the works of Barber, Korngold and Walton is praiseworthy, but Ehnes does not coast.

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that Bank of America will sponsor its 2008-2009 Classics series in the Symphony’s 77th season. The Charlotte Symphony is the largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the central Carolinas, employing more than 100 professional musicians, 64 on full-time contracts. The CSO Classics series opens on September 12, 2008.

In a performance showcasing some of the best talent in jazz and bluegrass today, Mark O'Connor's own "Hot Swing" pairs up with jazz vocalist Sophie Milman and the Punch Brothers featuring mandolin master Chris Thile for one night only. The performance will take place Wednesday, July 2, at 7:30 p.m. and will mark the third program of Seattle Symphony SummerFest which runs from June 26 through July 14 and celebrates some of the best artists in classical, jazz, bluegrass and more.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra announced an Asian-Pacific tour that will see the orchestra perform in China, South Korea, and the Special Administrative Region of Macau, from October 10th through the 20th, 2008.

The Buffalo Philharmonic is pleased to announce that Wendy’s will once again sponsor their Family Series concerts. The 2008/2009 season will be the 10th consecutive season that Wendy’s will be the sponsor. “Wendy’s is proud to once again sponsor the BPO family series concerts, we feel that introducing young children to classical music is a staple of their educational growth.” said Richard Fox, of Wendy’s.

Verdi’s grandest of grand operas, Aida, opens Seattle Opera’s 2008/09 season in August. Seattle Opera General Director Speight Jenkins celebrates his 25th Anniversary at Seattle Opera this year and he has called the 2008/09 season one of the most diverse that he has ever programmed. Aida is followed by Richard Strauss’s brooding drama Elektra in October featuring American soprano Janice Baird in the title role.

The Florentine Opera Company unveiled plans to implement a 25-week program for developing artists during its 2008-2009 season. The Florentine Opera Studio offers a full season of artist-in-residence employment for talented singers beginning their professional careers. From October through April, the Florentine Opera Studio will give promising young singers experience and training in order to grow professionally in the opera art form.

The Jewish Museum's popular SummerNights program returns, presenting live world music in a concert setting on five Thursdays in June and July. Cabaret singer Libby Shapiro kicks off SummerNights on June 26. Each concert begins at 8 pm.

Seattle Symphony concludes its regular season and launches SummerFest with Mahler's Sixth Symphony conducted by Gerard Schwarz. Renowned soprano Jane Eaglen will join the Orchestra onstage in the role of Isolde for the Prelude and Liebestod from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. Performances will take place Thursday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 27, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 28, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m.